Lowe flies high as Wallis soars
10/10/2013
In a bid for one of the three places in the Titleist PGA Play Offs in Turkey, Michael Lowe (Leatherhead) shot two stunning rounds of 66 for a total of 12-under-par 132 to win the Wildwood Invitational sponsored by Messier Bugatti-Dowty, only to miss out by the narrowest of margins.
Lowe’s terrific golf netted him £1,111 and his first Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit victory. After a stunning 63 in the first round, Paul Newman (East Berks) shot 70 for 133 and second spot, while the other Order of Merit contender Robert Gowers (South Winchester) played spectacular golf over his back nine to card a 64 for a total of 134, snatching third place and a ticket to Turkey.
Richard Wallis (Walmer & Kingsdown - above) took the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit title for a record fourth time in succession, while Matt Ford (C+K Group) and Gowers came second and third. As the runner up in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship, David Callaway (Milford) also won a coveted place in the Titleist PGA Play Offs in Turkey.
Ford added the Keith MacDonald Match Play Championship to his collection by beating Wallis by two up at The Berkshire, the result not only ensuring both stars secured their places in the Play-Offs but amassing Wallis enough points to be uncatchable in the race to the top of the Order of Merit again.
Lowe (above) reflected on his bittersweet result at Wildwood, commenting: “My caddy and I decided 12-under was the target, and while my golf in the afternoon wasn’t quite as good, I was delighted with the two 66s and my first Order of Merit victory. As it turned out it wasn’t enough for a place to Turkey, but that just means I’ll be trying harder in 2014.”
Gowers’ bid for a place in the Play-Offs came within half an inch to losing out, as that was all that Wallis’ eagle putt on the 18th needed to tie for third place and change the points shareout. After bogeying the 13th Gowers was only seven-under-par, but realising what he had to do to secure his place to Turkey, he made three birdies in the last five holes, calmly slotting a four foot putt on the final green.
Wallis was pleased to be holding the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit trophy again, even though he’d enjoyed less wins than in previous years. “There was the strongest field yet in 2013,” he said, “but I think I was more consistent compared to the previous years- as well as the one victory, the rest were virtually all second and third places, which added up in my favour.”
Wildwood Director of Golf and PGA Professional, Phil Harrison, summed up the day when he said: “Wildwood was in great condition and the weather was kind, but the golf was spectacular. The best were very good indeed, while most of the field was under par, so I’m glad I turned down the special invitation to offer to play! We’ve enjoyed terrific support from our sponsors, our officials and our players, and you can’t ask for more than that.”
