It was the Butler that did it…

08/07/2021

Craig Butler (Sprowston Manor Hotel, Hotel, Golf & Country Club ) made the most of an unexpected call-up as he and amateur partner Richard Saunders powered to a four-point victory in the PGA Summer Classic.

Butler (above, left) wasn’t in the original field but was offered a spot on late on and took maximum advantage alongside Saunders.

The duo recorded 43 points under a ‘greensomes’ format on the opening day at Royal Cromer and then notched a further 41 in the day two better-ball at Sheringham. That left them on 84 with a comfortable cushion back to second-placed Scott Bailey (Porters Park) and George Copley.

A combination of Butler’s booming straight drives and Saunders’ short game prowess proved just the job. Saunders, playing off 16, was a very popular winner having been a long-term supporter of the PGA in England, East region.

Butler, 33, said: “People were happy to see Richard pick up the win – it was good. I’d never met him before but he was a lovely bloke. Richard’s chipping and putting were great. He got up and down a lot and made some good putts.”

It’s a big month for Butler, who is a second-year PGA Trainee. He has exams around the corner and has also qualified for the Coca-Cola PGA Assistants’ Championship at Farleigh Golf Club, Surrey. So to notch a first PGA victory was the perfect way to start July.

Butler added: “I’m very happy to get off the mark. Hopefully, I can win a singles event sometime soon.

“I have my level 2 practical exam coming up and the Assistants’ final in Surrey at the end of the month. There’s a lot going on.”

James Watts (Kingsway Golf Centre) and John Watts were third on count-back from Chris Cutchie (Colchester) and Paul MacNaught.

CLICK HERE for a full list of scores