Harper shatters Okehampton record

Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) has abandoned the 888poker.com PGA Europro Tour to concentrate on regional golf this year – and his decision was vindicated by an outstanding triumph in the Okehampton Centenary Pro-Am.

And no player has ever navigated the course perched high above the attractive Devon town in a better round than 62. His record blemish-free six-under-par return contained seven threes, two twos, eight fours and a solitary par five at the 10th.

The 2006 PGA Europro Tour Order of Merit winner waited until the sixth hole for his first birdie. Another followed at the eighth and he roared home in four-under by gaining shots at the 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th.

Harper, who played in The Open at Carnoustie in 2007, won three times last year and is now in the kind of form that suggests his winning streak will continue.

Home professional Ashley Moon, who seldom finds time in the summer to play, shared second place on 66 with Woodbury Park’s in-form Christian Vine and Staddon Heights club professional Nick Horrocks. Moon made five birdies, Vine six and Horrocks four.

Centenary captain David Warren took particular pleasure in presenting the first team prize to Moon, leader of a home team of Roger Slack, John Flavin and Matt Flavin who carded 84 points. PGA board member David Haines (Brean) with Rod Wright, Leigh Ferris and Allen Ferris took second on 83 points, beating Harper’s trio of former West PGA tournament controller Jon Mansell, Martin Cox and Harry Hawkin on countback.