Dixon wins birdie fest at Minchinhampton

David Dixon continued his domination of the South West regional events this year with a round of ten-under-par 61 to win the 125th anniversary pro-am at Minchinhampton Common.

The former European Tour winner from Enmore Park has become the region’s latest cash machine and has averaged £972.25 per event this season so far. This follows his success in the opening Order of Merit tournament the Saunton Classic.

The day produced outstanding scoring and the first six players produced two eagles and 45 birdies between them.

Dixon, out in six-under 31, made ten birdies while runner-up Gary Emerson (Remedy Oak) carded nine in faultless displays. Former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst, who received a special late invitation, and Barry Forster (North Wilts) also returned unblemished rounds after both started with an eagle and added six birdies.

Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) and Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) made seven birdies and dropped one shot in sharing fifth place on 65. Danny White (Players), James Maxwell (Thornbury), Mark Searle (High Post) and Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) shot 66 to share seventh.

Broadhurst led the Photocad team of Mark Anderson, Phil Beswick and Sam Ratcliffe whose 19-under-par 123 won the team prize by one shot from Emerson’s Anderson Plumbing and Heating trio of Bob Maltby, Shaun Cowley and Joe Cowley.   

Former Curtis Cup player Hannah Barwood (Bristol Golf Centre) won the Ladies Pro-am for her first success as a professional with a one-under-par 72, four better than Jamie-Lee Casling (Brickhampton Court).

Her Gardiners team of Gill Miles, Brenda O'Neil and Kerry Dangerfield also won the team prize on 143 so her first cheque as a pro was £350. Casling’s Carpet Hotline side of Dawn Williams, Katherine Nash and Caroline Brundell were second on 145.