George back in business

Andrew George confirmed his return to top form with a fine victory in the South Herts Pro-Am.

The Ely City golfer put the hours in on the practice range after an uncharacteristically inconsistent spell during the spring.

There was an indication that the hard graft was paying off at the start of July when he finished tied-third in the East Herts Pro-Am.

And George, 50, proved that he is back at his best with a one-shot triumph after a five-under-par round of 67.

The win will come as the perfect confidence booster ahead of his bid to qualify for the Senior British Open.

George will next Monday join the hopefuls in South Wales at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club where he’ll be aiming to make it through to Royal Porthcawl.

He said: “My game came together about three weeks ago. The previous six weeks had been very ordinary for me. I had a swing fault and was hitting a pull shot once or twice a round that was ruining my score.

“But I seem to have got through it after working hard, hitting thousands of balls on the practice ground. Winning seems like it’s a little bit of a reward for all the work I have been doing.

“It was a question of being patient and waiting for the good things to come.”

His charge to victory at South Herts began with a birdie at the fourth hole, which he followed with an eagle at the next. George conjured up a towering 205-yard five iron that rolled to two feet for a tap-in eagle.

Three more birdies followed alongside a solitary slip-up, although he did have to survive a late scare coming up the last.

With the adrenalin flowing, George smashed a three-iron into a fairway bunker that was 230 yards from the tee. But he fizzed a sand wedge onto the green, made a two-putt par and that was enough for a one-shot success from Phil Abbott (John O’Gaunt).

There was a four-way tie for third spot with Chris Cutchie (Colchester), Bobby Mitchell (South Herts), Neil Mitchell (Bury Driving Range) and Kieran James all signing for three-under 69s.

Abbott was in charge of the winning team on a tally of 125 – four better than the runners up marshalled by Cutchie.