Dixon warms up for PGA Cup

Fresh from a successful appearance on the European Tour, David Dixon (Enmore Park) won the Exeter Golf and Country Club Charity pro-am with a five-under-par 64.

He finished 34th in the Czech Masters, after threatening a much higher placing, and is now shaping up well before making his debut for the PGA Cup team against the United States in California this month.

He produced a series of stunning shots at Exeter and reached seven-under-par after an eagle two at the 14th. This followed birdies at the first, third, fifth, 10th and 13th.

But the course record eluded him as he stuttered over the closing holes. He made a double bogey five at the 190-yard 16th and a bogey at the 17th mitigated by a sixth birdie at the last for 64 and his third West win this summer.

Former home favourite Chris Gill, now club professional at Newquay who now plays less frequently, enjoyed his return to claim second, one shot alongside the steady Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf).

Both players made six birdies and dropped two shots. Liam Bond (Marriott St Pierre) continued his warm-up before seeking a return to the European Tour to take fourth on 66 with four birdies and one bogey.

Home player Ben Martin, local favourite Barry Austin (Downes Crediton), prolific winner James Ruth  (China Fleet), Ross Langdon (Gloucester), Ross Whitelock (St Mellion), Plymouth’s Scott Drummond and successful Europro player Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth) shared fifth on six-under as 18 players made par or better on a sunny and windless day at a usually tricky course.

It was the final time the players will face the course in its present lay-out as work started this week on a complete re-vamp.

Club captain John Fairman expects to raise a total of £8,500 by the end of the season for this year’s charity, the Tor Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Ruth led  the Jordans team of Darren Willey, Dean Jordan and Luke Crocker to victory on 17-under-par 121. Gill partnered Andrew Rockey, Chris Rockey and Sam Rockey into second on 123.

Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) headed the Martin Luxton Builders into third with 123. It comprised Martin Luxton, Stuart Luxton and former West PGA tournament controller Andy Parker, now greenkeeper at Teignmouth. They beat Bond’s Bestinvest Wealth Management team of Nick Rimmer, Olly Rimmer and David Rimmer on countback.