Portelli triumphs at Northwood

Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor) struck in the region’s first domestic pro-am of the season at Northwood.

He fired a near flawless five-under-par round of 66 to end triumphant by a stroke from Simon Lilly (De Vere Staverton Estate).

Portelli made serene progress through his front nine, making three birdies to the turn.

He kept his foot down early on the inward loop, collecting further strokes against the card at the 11th and 14th.

There was a solitary hiccup with three holes to play but Portelli bounced back with the sixth birdie of his round at the 17th before closing out with a par.

Lilly, a later starter, also birdied the penultimate hole to set up a chance of tying at the top. But a par-4 at the last left him at four-under, two clear of third-placed Paul Maddy (Gog Magog).

Lilly and Darren Bragg both led their respective teams to a tally of 125. But Lilly’s quartet prevailed on count-back.