Saunton amateur hails MacKenzie influence ahead of local derby

Property developer Phil Waterton says Albert MacKenzie has put Saunton Golf Club on the map.

And he believes The Open should be played at the Devon venue one day.

Waterton will team up with PGA professional McKenzie at the Lombard Trophy West qualifier to be held at nearby Royal North Devon Golf Club in Bideford on June 25.

McKenzie captained the Great Britain & Ireland team which won the PGA Cup against the USA last year at Foxhills Resort.

But this time, he and Waterton will be aiming to book a trip to Portugal for the £41,450, Coca-Cola and Pestana Resorts supported, National Pro-Am grand final which will be played at the Vila Sol resort in the Algarve between September 20-21.

Braunton-based Waterton, aged 36, says that MacKenzie’s contribution to the club is immense thanks to his achievements in the game.

“Albert’s done extremely well for Saunton Golf Club over the years - with what he’s achieved, it’s really put us on the map as one of the best courses never to have staged The Open I think,” said the 11-handicapper who maintains holiday properties.

“I’d love to see the best players in the world come here and play into a 30 mph wind.”

But the competition will be nothing new to Waterton who played with MacKenzie in this event four years ago when it was staged at Parkstone Golf Club.

“I think I nerved myself out a little bit on that occasion. I was a bit scared of the greens, I’d never played one ones that fast before, but at least I’ll go into this one with some experience,” he said.

“But there’ll still be a few butterflies, so I’m glad in a way we’re teeing off first at 7.30am.”

He admitted there is also a ‘local derby’ feel to this event.

“There’s always been a little bit of friendly rivalry between us and Royal North Devon. It’s just across the estuary and you could probably hit a golf shot from one course to the other with a good drive!,” he added.

“They say their greens are better, we say our course is better.

“So it’d be nice for us to go there and do well.”

Other teams from the West and Wales taking part at Royal North Devon include the host pairing of Michael Wilson and Mark Lee:  Mark Govier and Chris Milton (Machynys Peninsula); Lewis Jones and Billy James (Swansea Bay); David Haines (Burnham & Berrow);  and Phil Brookes and Colin Peters (The Point at Polzeath).

For more information on the event at Royal North Devon, click here.