Hooper and Taylor share honours

Two of the most experienced PGA Professionals in Essex, Mark Hooper and Brett Taylor (pictured), shared first prize in the Orsett Golf Club Pro-Am.

Hooper, of Rayleigh Golf Range, carded three birdies and dropped two shots, while Taylor, a specialist short game coach based at Crondon Park Golf Academy and Chelmsford Golf Club, had five birdies, two bogeys and a double. Both golfers eventually signed for one-under-par 71.

The duo have both experienced considerable success in recent years, Taylor made the cut in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2007, while Hooper entered the Orsett Pro-Am high in confidence after taking the lead in the Virgin Atlantic PGA in England (East) Order of Merit.

Ian Ellis (Costessey Park) and Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall) were joint third three shots off the pace. Fifth place at three over par was shared by Chase Davis (Stapleford Abbotts) and Steven Hambling (Braintree).

Taylor led the winning team of Orsett juniors Zach Chegwidden, Kane Lynn-Jones and Alex Duke to a score of 13 under par 131. Team runners-up were Roger Gray (Thorndon Park) with Steve Rooney, Jeff Woolgrove and Ron Wilkes with 12 under par.

Third place went to Richard Wistow, assistant at the host club, with Mark White, Steve Rosendale and Richie Wistow. They finished with eight-under-par 136.