Hendriksen makes history

Laura Hendriksen (Palace Hotel, Torquay) became the first women captain of the Devon PGA at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the Christmas event at Dawlish Warren.

Former WPGA Order of Merit winner Hendriksen took over from Mark Hurst (Fingle Glen), and goes into the role on the back of a fine year which included three OOM victories.

On the course a pairs contest with nine holes played as better ball and nine holes in Texas Scramble format took place. Adam Frayne (Yelverton) and former Teignmouth PGA Professional Peter Ward won with 64.

Secretary Christian Vine (Woodbury Park), who was commended for helping increase the number of players in each event, and David Sheppard, were one shot behind.

But they shared runners-up spot with Darren Everett (Teign Valley) and Ben Martin (Exeter) and Gary Milne (Exeter) and Alistair Welsher (Tiverton).

Three players finished top when a PGA event was held at Fingle Glen, near Exeter, for the first time. Vine, Richard Woods (Dainton Park) and Jason Fullard (Teignmouth), who chipped in twice for eagle twos, scored 38 points with James Pickard (Honiton) and impressive rookie Harry Mayers (Torbay Golf Centre) fourth.

Kevin Harper (Exmouth), Nicky Maddison (Saunton) and Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton) shared top place at Tiverton with 37 points. Everett, Mike Cayless (Dainton Park), Jon Rattenbury (Okehampton) and Steve Buzza were one behind in fourth.

Testing weather at Teignmouth meant a late finish. By the time the first group reached the 17^th dense fog had replaced the rain so the players had to hold position on the course for 50 minutes until visibility improved.

Then Paul Hendriksen, brother-in-law to Laura, signed for 40 points to beat Milne by one shot while Maddison and Neil Holman (Torbay Golf Centre) were third.