Happy homecoming for Wilson

James Wilson returned to Dudsbury Golf Club to achieve his first solo West Region win in the Dudsbury Masters Pro-am, supported by Ringwood Brewery, with a six-under-par round of 65.

Playing the course he knew so well during his seven years as the club’s teaching professional until his departure this year for a similar role at nearby Ferndown, he made seven birdies and dropped his only shot on the tricky par-three 11^th.

Wilson, whose only previous visit to the winner’s circle was after a three-way tie at Remedy Oak two years ago, was four-under-par until his one lapse after birdies at the first, fourth, ninth and tenth. He added further gains at the 14^th, 15^th and 17^th.

He beat experienced pair Liam Bond (Marriott St Pierre) and Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) by one shot. Bond also bogeyed the 11^th and made six birdies and the first, fourth, ninth, 12^th, 14^th and 17^th.

Little looked a potential winner after an eagle three at the tenth took him to six-under-par after birdies at the second, fourth, fifth and seventh. But he dropped successive shots on the 12^th and 13^th before making his final birdie in the 17^th.

James Ruth (China Fleet) sneaked into fourth place alone on 68 after making and eagle at the par-five 17^th. Five players shared fifth on 69.

Broadstone’s Adrian Harris led Richard Crewe, Fraser Mills and Mike Davis to success in the team event with 93 points. They beat Wilson’s trio of Dudsbury members John Mills, Danny Ross and Nigel Parker on countback. Matt Dearden (Llantrisant and Pontyclun) led the Patricks Restaurant team of Pat Michael, Andy Horn and Andy Bakey into third place on 92.