Route 66 for Wallis at Kingswood

Richard Wallis (Walmer & Kingsdown) underlined his championship ambitions by posting a course record equalling six-under-par 66 to win the Kingswood Charity Pro-Am.

With a start on the European Tour in the Scottish Open next week and the next Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit event, the PGA Surrey Open, at Richmond Park in two weeks’ time (July 23^rd and 24^th), Wallis timed his return to winning form immaculately.

His flawless golf around the recently renovated Kingswood course earned him a cool £1,000, while the event itself helped raise over £10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

With four wins already this year, local man Michael Lowe (Leatherhead) pushed Wallis hard, but despite making six birdies a bogey at the awkward 10^th hole resulted in his carding a five-under-par 67 and a cheque for £800.

After a stunning opening five iron to a foot to birdie his first hole, the 10^th, Wallis made pars out of potential birdies at the 11^th and 12^th holes.

Two birdies came with a shot to a foot at the 13^th and then reaching the par five 14^th in two, left him three-under-par for the front nine.

A third approach shot to a foot at the first (his 10^th) gave him Wallis his fourth birdie. Six pars followed as he negotiated some of Kingswood’s dangerous holes, and then Wallis made two great birdies at the eighth and ninth to put him in command with a course record equalling 66.

“I really like Kingswood,” he said, “it’s a course that suits my game and you have to think your way around it, although three shots to a foot for gimme birdie putts and a 20 footer at the eight after being in a fairway bunker obviously helped!

“The course was in terrific condition, and my only regret was missing the six foot putt on my final hole for an eagle to set a new course record.”

Wallis commented, “The whole day was very well run by the club's  general manager, PGA Professional Mark Stewart, and it was great to partner one of the main sponsors, Chris Glass of Morgan Stanley, on my way to a good score.

“This win has set me up very nicely for the start in the Scottish Open next week at Castle Stuart,” he continued, “and then I’ll really look forward to defending my PGA Surrey Open title at its new venue, Richmond Park.”