Dinsdale wins star-studded finale at Woodbury Park

Newport-based former PGA Cup player Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf) finished the season in style by winning the final PGA in England and Wales (South West) pro-am at Woodbury Park, the regional headquarters in Devon.

His seven-under-par 66 for a two-shot success came in the M J Baker Foodservice Pro-am which also raised funds for Somerset cricketer Peter Trego’s benefit.

Malcolm Baker, a single-figure golfer at East Devon and sponsor of the county cricket club, joined with the PGA to organise his annual company golf day which attracted the highest-quality limited field of the season including European Tour players Joost Luiten and Marc Warren.

Dinsdale started at the tenth hole in a two-tee start following a six-hole warm-up competition for the 23 teams.

He made a birdie at the 14th and an eagle three at the 16th to cover the back nine in 33. Then he accelerated with four birdies in the next five holes and another at the seventh, following his only bogey, for another 33.

He banked £1,225, the highest one-day prize of the year from a fund of more than £10,000, and was able to enjoy the evening dinner that featured a question and answer session with Luiten, England and Bristol rugby player Mark Regan, Trego and Ryder Cup player David Howell, who was unable to play because of a back injury.

Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) played the front nine in five-under 32 with an eagle at the first followed by birdies at the third, fourth and ninth. Other birdies came at the tenth, 15th and 17th marred by a double bogey at the 12th.

Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) produced a stunning back nine of 32 with four birdies in the last five holes. A front nine of one-under matched Licata’s 68 and both earned £1,000.

Adam Frayne (Yelverton), who has become a force in the region in his first full season, shared fourth with Luiten on 69. Frayne carded six birdies and Luiten three plus an eagle at the 14th. Christian Vine (Woodbury Park) and Toby Hunt (St Mellons) shared sixth on 70.

There were seven eagles and 81 birdies on a crisp, bright sunny day as 12 of the 23 players carded sub-par rounds.

PGA official Bob Martin conducted the breakfast-time draw for amateur teams and Frayne’s trio finished top on 87. He played with his Yelverton Golf Club president Tim Shobrook, John Wood, the head of corporate at Exeter Chiefs rugby and an East Devon member, and secretary of the Devon Alliance, former Devon county captain Graham Ruth (Tavistock).

Licata’s team of Pete Raven, Mark Edworthy and Grant Clements were second on 84, two better than Luiten’s trio of Nick Smith, John Davidson and Jacky Jacobs.