Quinney cruises to PGA Kent Closed victory
10/04/2019
Bearsted based amateur and Kent Colts team member Ben Quinney shot an immaculate seven-under-par 65 around Kings Hill, winning the PGA Kent Closed Championship by an impressive four strokes.
Winning a new Callaway Epic Flash driver for his stellar performance, Quinney said: “It’s my lowest round ever and my first bogey free one as well. I felt really comfortable, missed just one green in regulation, drove well and was pretty hot with my wedge to set up birdies on the shorter par fours.”
Trailing in his wake with rounds of 69 were Weald of Kent’s Ryan Boyns and Barnehurst’s Jordan Godwin, each taking home a handy £450 for their performances as the leading PGA Professionals.
With Kings Hill in excellent condition and ideal weather for low scoring, Quinney opened with all guns blazing. He made two birdies on the trot at the opening holes and adding two more at the seventh and ninth to be out in four-under 32.
Birdies at the par five 10th, and par fours 13th and 16th tightened Quinney’s grip on the lead, and two pars down the last two holes ensured a highly impressive victory by four strokes.
The tournament saw a field of 84, split into 52 PGA Professionals from the county and 32 amateurs, all competing for the title won by Quinney. There were separate contests for the Seniors, Ladies, PGA Trainees and amateurs, all held in conjunction with the main event.
Boyns picked up the Leading Trainee award, with Kyle Kelsall and Redlibbet’s Larry Batchelor sharing the elder statemen’s prize, while West Kent’s Jerri Sewell finished best of the six ladies playing, two of which were amateurs.
The PGA in Kent Secretary Sam Smith commented: “We’re delighted that by working closely with the Kent Golf Union, this event has become a major fixture in the Kent schedule for the county’s amateurs and PGA Professionals.”
He added: “It’s great to see how this sort of initiative is forging great relationships between the professional and amateur codes of the games. Special thanks go to Kings Hill for their continued support and for providing a course in such great shape, allowing us to showcase the current and future golfing talent within the county.”
