Raitt 'RIPs' it for Derek
19/08/2019
St George’s Hill star Andy Raitt notched up his sixth win in 2019 with a flawless seven-under-par round of 65 at Prince’s to win the annual RIP It For Derek Memorial Pro-Am.
The Memorial Pro-Am was played over the newly re-imagined Himalayas-Shore layout at Prince’s to celebrate the memory of the late Derek Barbour, Prince’s PGA Head Professional from 1998 to 2006.
Raitt went out in three-under thanks to an early birdie at the third and an eagle at the par four eighth. He then came storming back home with four more birdies including a deuce at the 17th, for his winning 65. That final birdie was just enough to win the £550 top prize and edge the 66 of local hero Jordan Loft into the runners up spot.
Loft was also out in 33 but that included a dropped shot at the seventh. Turning for home, he added just one more birdie at the 11th, and with three holes left Loft managed to eagle the par five 16th on his way to a card of six-under-par 66.
Cooden Beach’s Paul Nessling led KRL, the PGA South Associates, to victory in the team event with an impressive -20 tally.
Rob McGuirk, Prince’s General Manager and PGA Professiona, was delighted with yet another huge show of support from the 23 teams that took part in the event, commenting “This is always a special day at Prince’s, as Derek was one of us and passed away tragically young.”
He added: “I’d like to say another very big thank you to the players, our supporters, to the club and to The PGA who have this day such a great way. We look forward to hosting the PGA Kent Open Championship once again over the next couple of days.”
