Mighty Quinn wins play-off for title spoils

There was an exciting finish to the Hertfordshire PGA Championship at Ashridge when Noel Quinn of Whipsnade Park took the title after a four-way play-off.

A birdie from Quinn at the third play-off hole saw him beat Robert Leonard of Harpenden Common. Laurence Allen (Brookmans Park) and John Clarke (Berkhamsted) had dropped out over the first two play-off holes.

Quinn and Leonard were both in the middle of the green at the 409-yard 12th hole  known as Deer Leap. Quinn sunk his 12-foot birdie putt in the gathering gloom. Leonard just missed out.

Clarke, one under par after a morning round of 71, was the leader at the half way stage with Hertfordshire PGA captain Steve Harris of Harpenden, Leonard and Allen on level par in cold and blustery conditions.

The weather improved in the afternoon when Quinn’s 70 was the best of the day to put him level on top of the leader board with one under par 143.

Clarke was the best senior while Glen Portelli, a first year assistant at Verulam, was top trainee with four over par 148.

Fifth place was shared by host professional Peter Cherry, Ben Cooper of Bishop’s Stortford and Bobby Mitchell from South Herts all at one over par. Alistair Archibald of Hadley Wood was eighth at three over par, Portelli ninth and Paul Hetherington (Great Hadham) tenth at five over par.