Double top – Taylor and Taverner tie

James Taverner and Brett Taylor both recorded three-under-par rounds of 67 to finish tied-first in the Dunstable Downs Golf Club Pro-Am.

Taverner, the man of the moment after July’s Order of Merit win at Royal Cromer and a recent victory in the region’s Trainees’ Championship, again found top form.

He notched six birdies in a fine round, but left the door ajar with a dropped shot at his final hole – the par-four 10^th.

Taylor, who also started on the 11^th hole, was still out on the course and mustered a telling late birdie brace to land a share of the spoils.

He came up with a two at the short ninth, before a birdie three at the next – his closing hole – brought him alongside Taverner (Hendon).

There was a six-way tie for third spot that included Colchester GC’s Mark Baker, who achieved the exceptional feat of two eagles in three holes. He made a two at the 332-yard par-four 17^th and then eagled the par-five second hole.

In what must be a contender for scoring spree of the season, Baker also made two preceding birdies, meaning that he was six-under for a five-hole stretch.

He eventually signed for a 68, as would Ian Ellis (Great Yarmouth & Caister), Neil Mitchell (Bury Golf Range), Thomas Obergan (Berkhamsted), Roger Gray (Thorndon Park and Danny Poulter (Windmill Hill Golf Centre). 

Taverner’s quartet was victorious in the team event on a total of 123 – two clear at the top.