Early boost for Barham

Benn Barham got his season of to a cracking start with a three-under-par performance to win the Kent Spring Classic Pro-Am at Deal’s Royal Cinque Ports GC.

The King’s Hill pro’s 68 outshone the 70 of runner up and local favourite Mark Belsham (Prince’s) to take the £500 first prize.

It was Barham’s day all round, as he helped his amateur colleagues from King’s Hill to win the team event as well. He explained: “It was a lovely day weather-wise, sunny and not too much of a breeze, with the course itself in good condition in terms of the playing surfaces despite the very wet winter weather.”

A shotgun start meant Barham started on the third, but having found the green he three-putted for a bogey. A birdie at the sixth got him back to par, and two more at the 10^th and 12^th got him in the winning groove.

A bogey on the 15^th after missing the green was immediately repaired with a drive and a three iron to 20 feet to set up a two putt birdie at the 16^th. After a downwind drive left him a 70 yard approach shot, Barham duly birdied his finishing hole, the second, to go to the top of the leaderboard.

Barham said: “I haven’t played very much apart from a couple of pro-ams in the States earlier this year, and the focus has been on teaching. So my expectations were low and I just plotted my way round, allowing for the one to two club wind.

“I was happy with the way I was playing and striking the ball, and while winning the individual event was great, helping my partners from King’s Hill win the team event really made my day. It has set me up nicely for the PGA Kent Open presented by Vision4Sport at Prince’s at the end of the month, and I’m looking forward to competing in what looks to be another exciting season.”