Evans is new PGA Channel Island champion

Royal Jersey’s head PGA Professional, James Evans, won the DSI Ltd PGA Channel Island Challenge, sponsored by St Helier-based Designer Sofa Interiors, in some style, shooting a stunning final round two-under-par 70 around La Moye to take the top prize of £1,000.

Despite some exceptional transatlantic conditions that were bad enough to call off the first day’s golf, the competitors braved the second day’s weather for two rounds, making the dash from Royal Jersey GC to La Moye GC at the halfway point for the second and final round.

Evans felt the full force of the weather in the morning, going out in four-over and hanging on to finish on six-over 76 round his home course. But in the afternoon with the weather calming down, Evans went out like a man inspired with birdies on the second, fifth and ninth to be two-under-par at the turn.

Despite dropped shots at the 10^th and 11^th, Evans deuced the 12^th and birdied the 16^th to be back on two-under-par again. The 17^th claimed another shot off him, but a terrific birdie three down the 18^th put him two shots in front to win the DSI Ltd PGA Channel Island Challenge title in great style.

Jersey born and bred Dan Scriven (St. George’s Hill) initially led the field with a one-under-par round of 69 at Royal Jersey, but La Moye took its revenge when Scriven could only manage a seven-over-par 79 in the afternoon, although the £750 second prize was still very welcome, along with the leading trainee prize.

Another raider from the mainland, Alexander Evans (World of Golf), was two strokes further back, shooting 150 for the third spot and £525.

Alex Mollin, the driving force behind the DSI Ltd PGA Channel Island Challenge, was delighted with the way everything turned out.

“Despite some atrocious weather ruining the first day’s plans, I’m pleased we completed the full 36 holes of the Challenge around Jersey’s two finest courses, and a great testament to both courses even being able to open for the second day!

“The competitors have all had a terrific time, and discovered that Jersey still has much to offer even when you’re inside sheltering from the weather!

"I’d like to thank Designer Sofa Interiors on behalf of all who took part for helping make the PGA Channel Island Challenge an even more attractive event to play in, and we’re all looking forward to the next one in 2017.”