Home for Askins at Southerndown

Simon Askins held off a quality field to win his first event as a professional over his home course at Southerndown.

The 25-year-old Bridgend-based player carded only two bogeys in his one-over-par 71 on a difficult day when players averaged seven dropped shots in the cold and blustery conditions.

The unusual wind direction proved a problem on the third and 17th holes but he took full advantage whilst playing with the wind on the 12th, making his lone birdie. His first place winner’s cheque was the biggest of the winter series so far with 40 players competing in the pro-am better ball format competition.

Huw Williams (Pyle and Kenfig) produced another strong finish in second place two shots behind. Yet he started badly and made two bogeys and a double over the first three holes. But he steadied with three birdies in the next six which helped him turn in plus one.

Further dropped shots on holes 10, 16 and 17, offset with a birdie on the short 15^th, resulted in his third top four finish of the winter series. He now moves into second in the order of merit. 

Following strong showings at Machynys two weeks previously, Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) and Craig Melding (Neath Golf Club) shared third a further shot back on 74. Both played similar style rounds balancing six bogeys with two birdies. Aneurin Brown (Radyr) finished alone in fifth with 75 and received the best assistant prize.

Four of the 20 teams returned rounds of 68 in the pro-am section of the tournament. Kevin Davies (Caerphilly) and his partner Ceri Pritchard came out on top with a better back three holes than the other pairs.

Davies’ start was better than he could have hoped as he holed his 5 iron second shot to the tough uphill par four for an eagle two.