Dickman shines for Reigate Heath’s nine
03/08/2016
Cuckfield Golf Centre’s Robert Dickman produced three birdies in nine holes, shooting a two-under-par 32 to win the Reigate Heath Pro-Am, supported by Savills.
Taking home a cheque for £600, Dickman started turning his local knowledge of Peter Alliss’s ‘little gem’ into a winning score with a birdie at the second.
Three putts from long range at the third for a bogey was repaired immediately with another birdie at the fourth and then a three wood to 10 feet for a deuce delivered Dickman’s third birdie at the 226 yard sixth.
Edged out of pole position were Tandridge’s Louis Savill and local man Lewis Parker, whose cards of one-under-par left them sharing the honours for the runners up placing.
While Savill had the one birdie at the fourth, Parker’s bogey on the fifth proved expensive as he birdied the fourth and sixth, but just couldn’t find one more over the last three holes to tie with Dickman.
“The old magic was definitely back, as I just felt right in control from the start,” said Dickman.
The event included a nearest the pin competition from the 10th tee nearest the clubhouse to the second green 260 yards away downhill, and when he’d hit three perfect fades with his driver to land all three balls on the green, Dickman sensed things were going to be good.
“The nine hole format for a pro-am is a fantastic idea and gives everyone just enough golf for a good day out," he added.
"I think it works very well for the amateurs, and with the other competitions like the nearest the flag off the 10th in front of the gallery in the clubhouse, it all helps to make the golf a challenge and a fun day out. The course was very fair after the soft rain, while the greens were terrific as usual.
“Playing with, and teaching, my 14 year old son is definitely helping to keep me competitive, especially as he’s now off 4.5 handicap!
I was hoping he could caddy for me today, but he preferred to compete in the Junior event at Mid Sussex, and while I can’t blame him for that, it would have been nice for him to have seen his old man doing what he used to do, but this time doing it well enough to win!”
