Ellis tunes up with Finchley win
04/09/2014
Order of Merit leader Ian Ellis showed he remains in fine form with a two-shot victory at the Finchley Pro-Am.
The Great Yarmouth and Caister golfer is focused on once again making the PGA Play Offs in Turkey from November 29 to December 1. And if he takes his latest form into the two remaining Order of Merit events during September, Ellis has every chance of delivering on his ambition.
He played beautifully – especially from the ninth hole onwards - on his latest assignment. Ellis made three straight birdies and then two holes later converted for an eagle at the par-five 13th.
It was a stunning scoring spree and ensured he fired a five-under-par 67. Five players tied for second place after finishing at three-under.
Ellis said: “It was the first time I’ve ever played Finchley and the course was in superb condition. The key was being patient.
“Level par after eight holes wasn’t great, but then to play the next five holes in five-under put me in a strong position. I was disappointed with 67 in the end!
“I’ve got a really important few weeks coming up and this can only help my confidence.”
It was Ellis’ third Pro-Am victory on the 2014 PGA in England (East) region tournament schedule.
He will return to Order of Merit action in the PGA East Anglian Open at Basildon on September 15-16. The final Order of Merit event, The Rayleigh Club Championship, takes place on September 24-25.
The two players who finished tied after 36 holes at the Marstons Beer Company Trainees Championship – James Taverner (Hendon) and David Salisbury (American Golf Discount Centre) – were among the quintet who finished joint runners-up after shooting respective 69s.
Chase Davis (Stapleford Abbotts), Nick Cunningham (Bedford and County) and Stuart Brown (Orton Meadows) also finished in a tie for second.
The successful team on a total of 126 were led by Paul Hetherington (Great Hadham G&CC).
