Whitelock ready to play Powerade final ‘blind’

Ross Whitelock admits he will be relying on the internet to prepare for the Powerade PGA Assistants’ Championship final.

The St Mellion Golf & Country Club player (pictured) won the West qualifying round by one shot at Exeter Golf & Country Club after carding a one-under-par round of 68 at the Devon course.

Whitelock, who has just completed his first year of PGA training, pipped Alexander Todd of Bristol’s Farrington Park into second spot after finishing with two birdies.

They will be joined by 13 other qualifiers at Coventry Golf Club for the £32,500 FootJoy-supported final on June 11-13.

But Whitelock says he will be playing there ‘blind’ as he has never competed there before - and may not have chance to practice at the Midlands venue as it is more than 200 miles from his Cornwall base.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the final, but it might have to be like a lot of events for me in terms of preparation - looking it up on Google Earth!” he smiled.

“Where we are at St Mellion, it’s not like I can nip over to Coventry for the afternoon.

“So unless I can get up there the day before I’m going to have to play it blind, but that’s okay, I’ve done it before.”

Whitelock believes he is yet to hit top form, despite his victory at Exeter.

“I couldn’t hole a putt to save my life on the front nine,” he said.

“But then I got birdies at the 17th and 18th holes and one-over par becomes one-under all of a sudden.

“What I actually felt coming off at the end was that I left so many shots out there.

“I had the same thing at a previous event.

“So I have to feel positive and believe that when it all comes together I’m due a really good round at some point. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Whitelock is also involved in coaching at the St Mellion club, currently offering golf scholarships to young players.

“We see them as the future of the club,” he said.

“I really enjoy coaching, I take beginners classes and get a huge buzz out of being able to help someone play the game better.”