Frayne swaps classroom for course to win West title

Adam Frayne celebrated reaching the end of his PGA degree course to join a list of illustrious winners of the West Region PGA Championship over the sun-drenched East course at Saunton.

The Yelverton assistant emerged from the chasing pack to win by two shots and admitted his form this year has suffered from too much study.

“Taking final exams last week lifted a weight off my mind,” said the 36-year-old former Challenge Tour player who was a late PGA entrant. 

“It’s been an average season but I couldn’t expect a lot as I have neglected my game a bit this year because I’ve buried my head in my books. I enjoyed two solid days and played just as well on the first day in the winds as I did today.”

Signing for 69 and a decisive five-under-par 66 sunk overnight leaders Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) and Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) who started the day two ahead.

Hendriksen eventually shared fourth on 139 with Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) who carded three birdies in a flawless 68.

Hendriksen’s target this year has been to return to the Play Offs and qualify again for the PGA Cup. He made two early birdies to extend his lead, but he faltered until a 35-foot birdie putt disappeared on the 17th.

To his relief results worked in his favour and he finished second in the Order of Merit. By contrast, European Tour player David Dixon’s gamble to earn a top three spot failed as he shared 20th before his dash to play in this week’s Tour event in Denmark.

Defending OOM champion Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) failed to maintain the lead he shared with Liam Bond (St Pierre) after rounds of 73 and 73 and finished fourth.

This let in Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court), Dudsbury Masters winner and now runner-up at Saunton. He followed 68 with 69 to claim the final Play-Off spot.

On a final day of changing fortunes when Licata and Greg Davies (Bassett Down) stuttered, early-starter Bond put his first day disappointments behind him to shoot a six-birdie 66, climb into a share of seventh, and win the Order of Merit for the first time. 

Dan Toogood (Weston-super-Mare), Kevin Harper (East Devon) and home professional Albert MacKenzie also shared seventh on one-under-par 141. Harper picked up three shots on his opening nine but then dropped five shots in six holes. 

New PGA Cup captain MacKenzie’s blemish-free round of 67 with 13 fours and five threes pars gave him enormous pleasure. He won the seniors trophy, from Gary Milne (Woodbury Park) and former RND professional Iain Parker.

He said: “I feel very proud to have beaten such formidable opposition at my home venue. I was thrilled with the way I played today.”

Lydia Hall, 28, followed her remarkable victory in the Welsh Professional Championship at Tenby by dominating the women’s event. A final round of two-under 69 brought a 13-shot victory over Rachel Lewis (Vale Resort) with Jamie-Lee Casling (Cotswold Hills) third.

She is working at Hensol Golf Academy in Cardiff but is still a member of the Ladies European Tour after missing last year with a knee injury. She has played four events this year but lack of finance has restricted her appearances.

“I hope my successes will bring me to the attention of sponsors,” she said.

Frayne made it a double in beating Toogood  by six shots to win the Ray Ellis Trophy as Assistants Champion to take home a total of £2,500.