Drought costs Watson a record

Michael Watson shot seven-under-par 63 as the lowest round recorded at Ashley Wood but the summer drought cost him an official course record.

Club professional Paul Jones, who finished second two shots behind, said: “Like so many courses we still have some signs of patchy grass growth so opted for preferred lies. But Mike’s round was still one better than the best ever score on the course.”

Joint record-holder Jones shot 64 in winning a Bournemouth Alliance meeting a few years ago.

Watson was out in five-under-par 30 and made three further birdies coming home with a solitary bogey on the 14th. It was the fifth win of another prolific season for the Wessex Golf Centre professional from Weymouth and his 12th top ten finish in the last 15 outings. “These were the best greens I have seen in all the years I have been coming here,” he said.

Jones, this year’s PGA in England and Wales (South West) captain who boosted his captain’s charity by £700 in this Ringwood Brewery-sponsored pro-am, made six birdies and dropped one shot. He was a relieved man after fog delayed the start by 90 minutes.

“Fortunately the weather was perfect after that, sunny and warm to provide the easiest day for scoring at Ashley Wood this summer,” he said.

Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) with six birdies and David Dixon (Enmore Park) with seven shared third on 66. The three players to share fifth one further shot back also finished in the top three in the team event.

Henry Pallas (Upavon), leading the host club’s ex-captain Dave Keig, Jon Elcock and David De La Haye, carded 90 points. They beat Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) with Ashley Wood’s club chairman Steve Pardey, general manager Callum Tulloch and Dave Purver on countback.

Third place was also decided on countback. Jon Bevan and his Sherborne team of Carl Broomfield, Adrian Broomfield and Ian Clothier carded 89 to pip trios led by Peter Rodgers (Barton-on-Sea) and Thompson.

PGA West (at Ashley Wood) - 63 Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre), £700, 65 Paul Jones (Ashley Wood) £500, 66 Lee Thompson (Dudsbury), David Dixon (Enmore Park), £337 each, 67 Jon Bevan (Sherborne) Henry Pallas(Upavon), Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) £201 each, 69 Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) £160.