Maiden victory for Chiericato

Shooting a magical three-under-par 68, first time winner Keely Chiericato (Manston Golf Centre) shared the honours in the Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Pro-Am with recent winners Jordan Godwin (Barnehurst) and Chris Croucher (East Sussex National).

In the process she carved her name into the region’s history books as she became the first time female PGA Professional to share the podium with her male colleagues in a PGA South Regional Pro-Am, with each winner taking home a cheque for £633. Yet it was only a last minute call that led to Chiericato actually playing in the event at all.

Chiericato said: “After struggling with an injury last season, it was great to play some of my best golf to date, and to do that in a PGA Pro-Am was an added bonus. Everything was going well, driving, irons, and putting, particularly on my opening nine.”

The Thanet-based PGA Professional continued: “This win means a lot to me, and I hope it’s a good omen for me in the other LET Access series events that I’m playing in this year in pursuit of my tour card. I’d like to thank the Region for all their hard work to set up these events, and my coach, Steve Cardy (Regiment Way) as well.”

Pushed into the runners up spot by two strokes were four players, all past or recent winners as well: Kyle Kelsall (Quin Direct), Kevin Tilbury (Hazelmere), former PGA Surrey Open winner Nick Redfern (AIA Group) and one of the winners at Betchworth Park Pro-Am, Tim Milford (PGolfCoaching@Pedham), all of whom carded 70s.

While Godwin made four birdies for his 68, Croucher made two and an eagle at the second for his winning card. Starting at the ninth with a bogey, Godwin was four-under-par after 12 holes, and was going along nicely until dropping a shot at his penultimate hole. Starting on the 14th, Croucher also opened with a bogey; five pars followed but he got right back into contention with the eagle at the second and followed that with birdies at the seventh and ninth.

Keely did things rather more spectacularly, including driving two of the par fours. Starting on the ninth and playing right behind Godwin, she opened with a bogey but then went into overdrive with a barrage of birdies on the 11th, 12th and 14th to reach two-under-par. After bogeying the 15th she birdied the next three holes to be five-under-par and in the lead.

Two more bogeys ensued on her way to the finish, but it all added up to a terrific 68.