Dynamic duo share Hampton Court crown

Sussex stalwart Tim Spence (The Golf College) and Surrey newcomer Chris Rodgers (Drift), shot impressive four-under-par 67s to share victory at the Hampton Court Pro-Am supported by Chaka Travel.

Their sizzling performances saw the pair finish two strokes ahead of their nearest rivals, Jamie Savory (TopGolf), Adam Taylor (West Surrey) and Wildernesse and Wimbledon Park Pro-Ams winner Gary Marks (World of Golf), all of whom carded 69s to finish as the runners up. Marks shot no less than five birdies and an eagle but five bogeys took the shine off his round.

Starting in the last group off the 1^st after waiting for a replacement to be found for the fourth member of his amateur team, Spence went into overdrive, birdying the third, fifth, sixth and ninth to reach four-under-par. Another at the 11^th saw Spence reach five-under, but by now the unexpectedly strong wind had been joined by rain, contrary to the forecast.

His bogey at the 13^th was repaired with a birdie at the 15^th, but after missing a two foot putt at the 17^th and the green at the 18^th, Spence made a superb up and down to par and tie with Rodgers.

Rodgers birdied his two opening holes and then the ninth to be out in three-under-par. A dropped shot at the short 12^th set him back, but he then birdied the par-five 14^th and made a terrific birdie two at the 17^th to climb right back into contention, parring the last to finish with a podium sharing 67.

Spence was delighted, as he commented: “Working full time at The Golf College means I get to play in the occasional pro-am, but this year I went out to Spain to work with the students for the ten week term and played a lot more, making some great scores against the students around Bonmont.”

He continued: “The Hampton Court course was in great shape despite the winter flooding, and I made some good putts on their excellent greens. It was great to follow up my strong round at the recent Knole Park Pro-Am where a triple bogey cost me a lot, and it would be nice to find this sort of form at Farnham and the Drift in their forthcoming Pro-Ams as well.

“Then there’s The Golf College Challenge for the Assistants at Lindfield in summer – Lindfield’s in genuinely magnificent condition now – which I know our students are really looking forward to. We’ve seen some 20 students go forward and qualify, so it’s great for our other students to see how they measure up to those who are now achieving their golfing ambitions.”