Dixon clinches West Region Championship

Former European Tour winner David Dixon (above) ended the season the way he started – standing on the winner’s rostrum clutching a trophy after victory in the final PGA in England and Wales (South West) Order of Merit event.

This time the Saunton Classic champion in April scrambled to the Marston’s West Region PGA Championship at The Players Club, near Bristol, by one-shot, beating player-of-the-season Michael Watson who won the OOM title for the first time in more than 20 years.

Yet it was achieved after the most bizarre hole he has ever played. He had extended his three-shot overnight lead over his playing partner to five by the time he stood on the tee of the 173-yard 13th hole with a seven iron in his hand.

He was cantering home – or so it seemed. Then he hooked his first ball into the water and followed with an identical shot.  His third ball just found the edge of the green but then he three-putted from 35 feet for an eight.

He also made his solitary bogey at the unlucky 13th in a magnificent opening seven-under-par 65 that defied horrendous wet and windy conditions.

The pair swapped shots until the 156-yard 16th when Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) pulled his seven iron into the water to fall one behind. And that was how it ended, although Dixon did not realise he had won after a one-under 71 and total of 136.

The Enmore Park touring player said: “I was five-under after 12 holes and hadn’t hit a bad shot all day. My brain was melting as I have never had an eight on a par three before. That was when I thought our scores were level and we were heading for a play-off because of the confusion.

“But it made it exciting for the final few holes and winning is winning. It had been a real setback but I kept strong and gave myself a chance on every hole coming back.

“We are both in the Play-Offs and that was my goal when the season started. It’s going to be a busy November as then I go to final Tour school qualifying.”

Watson who lost by one stroke after taking 69 admitted he struggled on the back nine. He said: “I three-putted 10 and when he birdied 11 and 12 it looked all over. I played poorly from then but I have achieved my season’s objective. I won the Order of Merit at last and am looking forward to the Play-Offs.”

The pair will be joined in Turkey by Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Academy) who claimed third spot despite finishing a disappointing 27th.

Although he was unaware of Dixon’s troubles, Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) reached six under by the 12th and was just one shot behind. He eventually signed for a day’s best 66 and third place on 138.

Defending champion James Ruth (China Fleet), the third member of the final group, collected four birdies on the way home to take fourth on 139 while Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton), Russell Berry (Professional Golf Europe Ltd) and Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) shared fifth a further shot adrift.

Fresh from fifth place in the Glenmuir  Women’s PGA Professional Championship at Blairgowrie, Tracy Loveys (Bigbury) carded two-over-par 74 to beat Jamie-Lee Casling (Brickhampton Court) by five shots to become the first-ever Women’s champion.

Toby Hunt (St Mellons) beat Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor) with a par at the first extra hole to win the Assistants’ Championship after both had carded one-under-par 143.

Kelvin Aitken (Chippenham Golf Centre), aged 52, followed 79 with a perfect 70 to beat Welsh legend Paul Mayo by one shot and take the Seniors’ title.