Hale goes down a storm for dominant Ashburnham
12/09/2014
Ashburnham Golf Club’s Martin Hale proved age was no barrier to success as he qualified for the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final in Turkey.
The 73-year-old amateur partnered PGA Professional Martin Stimson, right, at the west regional final held at Bowood Golf Club in Wiltshire.
And the Welsh duo dominated after carding a 10-under-par round of 62 to win by two shots ahead of Newquay Golf Club’s Chris Gill and Brian Anderson.
Hale and Stimson will now go to the £25,000 Grand Final, supported by Canopius, at the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club, Turkey, from November 26-27.
They did not drop a shot on their way to victory and Hale admitted he had never achieved anything like this in the game.
“I’m one of the oldest ever captains of this club and this is the biggest thing I’ve done in the game,” said 10-handicapper Hale, a member at Ashburnham for around 30 years.
“All I can say is that I’ll be there at the final!
“Martin, our Professional, played very well and I backed him up all the way.”
Hale completed a nett eagle at the 16th hole which put Ashburnham in control.
The pair finished with a birdie at the 18th hole to make sure of booking their place in the final.
“Ashburnham is one of the best courses in Wales, but we’ve never made it to this event before,” added Hale, a retired consulting engineer from Burry Port.
Stimson admitted he felt Ashburnham’s score would be enough to secure victory - even if the decision went to countback.
“We came back in 30 and we thought 10-under-par would be good enough - but to win by two shots was a bonus,” he said.
“The 16th hole was decisive but we played a very consistent round and gelled very well together.
“We didn’t go there with any real hopes of winning, I’ve been here five or six times and not got through.
“But once we made a good start we were confident.
“I’ve never played at this venue in Turkey before, but I’ve heard good things about it.
“We’re really looking forward to the event.”
