Mitchell wards off strong challenges at Chelmsford

Neil Mitchell of Bury Golf Range posted a round of two-under-par 66 to beat a strong field in the Chelmsford Golf Club Charity Pro-Am.

Mitchell, with five birdies, saw off the challenge of Mark Hooper (Rayleigh Golf Range), Jason Levermore (Channels) and Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford) by one shot.

It was only the second event in which Mitchell has played since he stopped using his belly putter.

He said: “As belly putters are going to be banned I decided to make the change. In my first pro-am with the short putter I was seventh at Ely City. Now in this second event I have had my first success since I won at Dunstable Downs last year.

“I have been working on my putting with Mark Sturgess at Bourn and with Brett Taylor at Crondon Park for my short game.”

Mitchell was Cumbrian amateur champion in 1995 when a member at Penrith. He completed his PGA training under John Sharkey at The Links Golf Club at Newmarket. He is now attached to Bury Golf Range.

Ben Cooper of Bishop’s Stortford and Ian Ellis (Costessey Park) were joint fifth on level par. Chris Cutchie of Colchester, on a break from his new post at the exclusive Gaillardia Golf and Country Club at Oklahoma City, was one of four players joint seventh at one-over-par. The others were Noel Quinn (Whipsnade Park), Brett Taylor (Brett Taylor Golf) and Steve Hambling (Braintree) who had one of the three eagles on the day.

The other two came from Matt Baker (Colchester) and Chris Forsyth (Topgolf Academy).

Daniel Coughlan of Wyke Green led the winning team of Chelmsford juniors Elliott Oxlade, Oscar Yeomans and Gabriella Oxlade to a round of 16-under-par 122. Cutchie with amateurs Charlie Crewe-Read, Mike Lapham and Graham Baxter were runners-up with 13-under-par.

Four teams finished at 12-under-par with Stephen Townsend (Chelmsford), Alan Morris, Robert Best and Barry Townsend taking third prize on count back from teams with Cooper, Ellis and Taylor.