Dixon defies winds at Minchinhampton
08/05/2017
David Dixon called on all his experience of playing in strong winds and chilly weather to win the Carlsberg-sponsored Minchinhampton Old course pro-am which attracted a record 55 teams.
His 69 was the highest winning score within living memory. This was because the conditions were described as “brutal” by tournament controller Tom Sheffield on the course golfers share with livestock in the Gloucestershire countryside.
He added: “The course was firm and bouncy as a result of two months without any decent rain and it was difficult to hit and hold the small greens.”
Dixon went out in three-under 34 with birdies at the first, fifth and ninth, made another on the 13th and dropped shots at the 11th and 18th.
Enmore Park touring player Dixon, a former European Tour winner, is unlikely to play many events in the West this summer as he is concentrating on the Challenge Tour. He was making his first regional appearance this year.
Winning PGA Cup captain Jon Bevan (Sherborne) is showing top form this season and shared second with Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court). They were one shot behind as the only other players to better par.
Henry Pallas (Upavon) was four under par after six holes but shared fourth on level par 71 after taking seven at the par four 13th. Tom Motley (South Cerney) produced one of his best rounds helped by three birdies in the first six holes. Veteran Dorset player Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) also came home in par making three birdies and three bogeys.
He went out in three-under 34 with birdies at the first, fifth and ninth made another on the 13th and dropped shots at the 11th and 18th.
The women’s contest which ran alongside the main event was dominated by Ladies European Tour player Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) making her first visit to the course. The Cardiff based Welsh Professional and West Region women’s champion returned 75 to finish six shots clear of Claire Duffy.
Hall also led a team of former Minchinhampton Old players, Sandy Elwig, Kerry Dangerfield and Sally Norman, to victory in the team event. They carded four-under-par 138, beating Duffy’s team by 11 shots.
Motley led his Turmec Engineering team to success in the main event. He was assisted by Ed Dodd, Brian Thornton and Steve Burns in compiling 15-under-par 127.
Dixon helped the Minchinhampton New Course team of Ross Hopkins, Gareth Hopkins and Robert Fynn claim second spot on 130. Langdon’s Versatile Controls trio of John Slim, Will Slim and Ryan Gaskin followed on 131.
