Hendriksen’s Devon treble

Paul Hendriksen completed a superb week by leading the Devon PGA team to a resounding 10.5-4.5 win over Gloucester and Somerset to retain the Haines Trophy over the East and West courses at Saunton.

The Ivybridge professional, former winner of the PGA Professional Championship and a PGA Cup player won the final winter medal of the season over 36 holes a few days earlier at Downes Crediton.

His one-under-par 139 (71, 68) beat host professional Barry Austin (70, 72) by three shots. This also confirmed him as the Order of Merit champion as well.

He finished 36.5pts ahead of Ryan Pope (Exeter) with Tom Jessamine (Exeter) third. They will represent Devon in the Inter Counties championship.

Austin led after the opening round with Richard Woods (Dainton Park) on 73 in third spot. The scoring improved in the second round and Nicky Maddison (Saunton) continued his fine form by matching Hendriksen’s two-under 68. He might well have won but for a better opening round.

He had to settle for third alongside Woods on 146. Hendriksen was over par after four holes but then made five birdies while Austin could only shoot 72.

In the annual county match over Saunton’s East course Gloucestershire’s Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) and Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court) started with a win.  But only Luke Collins (Tall Pines) and Scott Thompson (Mendip Spring were the other winners.

Devon assumed a 3-2 interval lead with wins for Paul Hendriksen and Dan Hendriksen (Torquay), Tom Hanson and Jessica Bradley (Tiverton) and  Ben Martin (Exeter) and Richard Woods.

Devon dominated the afternoon singles 7.5-3.5 over the West course.

Scores: Paul Hendriksen lost to Langdon 3&2, Dan Hendriksen bt  Mansell 2&1, Ryan Pope (Exeter) lost to Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) 3&1, Hanson bt Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) 3&2, Bradley bt Collins 4&3,Will Farley (Bovey Castle) bt Luke Derrick (Henbury), 3&2, Woods bt Thompson 3&2, Martin bt Alex Munro  (Bristol Golf Centre), Devon Greenslade (Downes Crediton) bt Andrew March  (Brean) 2&1, Christian Vine  (Thorne Park) halved with George Ryall (Worlebury).