Gane makes Lighthouse shine

Chris Gane (Lefthandedgolf at Silvermere) shot a classy four-under-par 67 around Tandridge to win the Lighthouse Club Pro-Am, a charity event supported by the UK’s construction industry.

The event has raised tens of thousands of pounds since it was established on behalf of the Lighthouse Clubs Benevolent Fund, which gives financial help to the thousands of families who are plunged into financial crisis when they lose their breadwinner’s income through illness, injury or death.

Taking home a cheque for £700, Gane’s performance shaded out the 68 of Ally Mellor (Hype Sports Mgt.). Together they pushed a star-studded group into third place comprising the recent Wildernesse Order of Merit winner Jamie Harris and his Nevill colleague Michael Hart, and Bruce MacDonald (Pentland Golf), all of whom shot 69s.

Starting at the 17^th, Gane opened with a birdie and then an eagle at the first to reach three-under-par. Another two followed at the fourth and the ninth to put Gane on five-under-par, but his birdie spree faded when he bogeyed the 10^th. The damage was soon repaired at the 12^th and, despite another bogey at the 14^th, Gane got home in 67 shots.

Starting at the ninth, Mellor also opened with a birdie, but then went on a see saw run dropping a shot at the 10^th, birdieing the 12^th, bogeying the 13^th and the 14^th, but making two more birdies at the 16^th and 18^th to complete his first ten holes in one-under-par. He then birdied the first, chalked up pars for four holes and then found one more birdie at the 6^th to steer his way to 68.

With 10 top ten finishes out the 15 events he’s played so far, Gane’s in form and looking forward to the Virgin Atlantic PGA Southern Open at the Drift GC on the 2^nd and 3^rd of June.

“The long wet winter meant being confined to the ranges and made us all keen to get out there and play,” he said. “The EBC (Every Ball Counts) skills testing and coaching I’ve been doing at Silvermere with Ben May has really proven its value and I’ve been playing very nicely so far.”

He continued: “I played well today, especially on a course that’s been upgraded, lengthened and is certainly no pushover. The weather was kind and the course was dry and in fantastic condition considering how much rain there’s been over the last two days.

 “I’d really like to keep this form up at the Drift and improve on my placings in the first two OOM events. I’m aiming for a top five place in the Virgin Atlantic Little Red PGA South OOM this year, but I’ll have to raise my game a bit more to do that.”