Emotional day as Hendriksen wins at Oake
15/05/2015
Paul Hendriksen dedicated victory in the opening Order of Merit tournament of the season at Oake Manor to the memory of his father Chris who was killed while competing in a grass track motorcycle event in Germany.
“It was exactly nine years ago today so this was an emotional day for me,” the Dinnaton professional-manager, right with Total Triumph boss Neil Mossman, said after winning the Total Triumph Classic after a succession of near misses.
I really wanted this win for him on the anniversary. He definitely helped me for I wasn’t firing on all cylinders today. My grandmother called me this morning and said I should win for him.”
Hendriksen, 35, who lost a play-off, was runner-up and third last year, finally crossed the finishing line by one shot from Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) with Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) and David Dixon (Enmore Park) two further shots back.
He followed a best-of-the event seven-under 63 with a flawless 66 that started with ten pars followed by a trio of birdie threes and the clinching birdie on the par five 17th which took him ahead of O’Hanlon on 11-under 139.
“I got a few breaks that got me out of trouble because I still didn’t know where the ball was going. My short game got me through on a course I love that was in great condition.”
He could also thank the course manager as the steady rain and heavy showers forced tournament controller Tom Sheffield to halt play for 80 minutes in late morning. “The green staff were incredible to enable us to get back,” he said.
O’Hanlon, who plays in the BMW PGA Championship with David Dixon (Enmore Park) next week, said: “I made too many mistakes but I feel pretty confident about Wentworth as I was second at Sherborne last week and am building up my confidence.”
Like many players he relished the soft conditions and made five birdies in his second 65. Dixon suffered distractions on the course but was happy enough with 67 and a share of third on 132 with Lee Thompson.
(Dudsbury) dropped two shots in the first three holes but fought his way back to 67.
Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) became the early clubhouse leader making six birdies in a best-of-the-day 65. Promising newcomer Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) carded eight threes, including six in succession, four of them birdies, on his way to 69 and sixth spot.
Christian Vine (Woodbury Park) returned 66 and Ross Langdon (South
Cerney) 67 to share seventh on five-under 135. Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) finished ninth after two 68s.
European Seniors Tour winner Kevin Spurgeon (Ferndown) shot 69 and 74 to win the seniors section.
Nineteen-year-old Robbie Thompson, a one-handicap Devon county regular from Torquay GC, won the amateur gross section on 69, one better than Jack Palmer (Burnham/Berrow) and Oake Manor pair James Ward (and) Jon Ball.
Darren Billing (China Fleet) won Division 1 with 74, net 67. Mike How (Oake Manor) won Division 2 with 73, net 65, from Phillip Hodgson (Brean) and Steven Barham (Oake Manor).
