Maxwell and Watson share victory at Farrington Park

James Maxwell claimed a joint victory at the Farrington Park pro-am, a year after he was singing the tournament’s praises to his friends in Wales.

On that occasion he persuaded three others to make the 160 mile journey from Trefloyne Golf Club to compete, and they enjoyed the occasion so much that they opted to return again this year.

This time the 22-year-old assistant professional, who moved to Thornbury Golf Centre last week, returned to win with a two-under-par round of 70, shared with Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre). It was Watson’s sixth The PGA in England (South West) win in 15 days.

Maxwell said: “We really enjoyed the golf course last year – it looked so lovely and the boys thought it was so brilliant they wanted to come again.

“I only missed one green and that was the 18th where I made a double bogey when I thinned the ball from a bunker. It was another great day for us all.”                  

Watson, who set a nine-under-par course record in winning in 2007, dropped two shots at the straightforward final hole and also made a double bogey at the tenth. But seven birdies compensated for the damage.

David Dixon, a former winner on the European Tour from Enmore Park, led in the clubhouse for three hours after a 71 but settled for third place.

His team of Jonny Grace (Saltford), Rupert Johnson (Cumberwell Park) and Kelvin Green (Bath) took the team prize on countback.

Farrington’s star team of club champion Josh Hilleard, former champion Tom Small and Ben Flower, led by the club’s teaching professional Terry Williams, also totalled 17-under-par 127.

Nigel Warburton (Knowle) and home players Kevin Brimble, Martin Drayton and Jon Coates were third on 128.