Hodge makes her mark with Little Aston victory

Joanne Hodge won her first event as a professional when she beat European Tour player Suzanne Dickens in the second WPGA One Day Series event.

Hodge, of Hamptworth Golf & Country Club in Wiltshire, carded a four-under-par round of 70 to win by two shots.

And she edged out Dickens into second spot at Little Aston Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield.

Dickens, of Peterbrough’s Thorpe Wood Golf Course, leads the series but Hodge - a first year PGA Assistant - is close behind in joint second spot.

Also tied for second place with Dickens were two up and coming amateur players, Kent’s Cloe Frankish and Derbyshire’s Aimee Wilson of England Golf.

Potential England stars of the future are getting opportunity to cut their competitive teeth against seasoned WPGA pros this year.

The WPGA has opened up entry to its One Day Series to elite amateur under-16 and under-18s girls to develop their skills in a tournament arena.

New Forest-based Hodge’s impressive round included five birdies and an eagle at the Midlands venue.

“My round went well, my putting was good and I hit a lot of fairways,” she said.

“I also made some good birdies. I hit a five-wood then four-iron on 12 to about six feet and made eagle.

“I then almost holed my second shot on 17!”

The victory left Hodge hoping to make a real impact in this year’s series.

“I’m very happy to have won my first event as a pro,” she added.

“I turned pro in October and am doing my PGA foundation degree first year.

“I’m playing next week at Chestfield and have also have entered the One Day events at South Herts and Sailsbury so far.”