Scrimshaw ready to kick on after Fulford finish

Andy Scrimshaw admitted he had taken his career to the next level after winning the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship North East qualifying event at Fulford Golf Club.

The 23-year-old Close House Golf Club pro (pictured) finished joint top of the leaderboard with PGA Cup player John Wells (Snainton Golf Centre) after carding a three under par round of 69 at the York venue.

They finished one shot ahead of early leader Ryan O'Neill (Penwortham Golf Club).

And the result saw Scrimshaw qualify for his first PGA Professional Championship final - with the £78,000 showpiece event being held The Oxfordshire course between July 26-29.

Scrimshaw is in his second year as a fully qualified PGA professional having dropped out of a mechanical engineering degree at NorthumbriaUniversity after three months to turn pro at 19.

Topping the qualifier was a sweet moment having narrowly missed out on last year’s final when he played the DunhamForest event.

“I didn’t really prepare for it properly last year so I made sure I practised at Fulford first as I didn’t know the course,” said Scrimshaw.

“And it worked. I knew that if I could get to the turn in around level par when I’d stand a decent chance on the back nine.

“I dropped a shot early on, but I stayed patient and made four birdies later on. My game’s been quite sharp so far and I really wanted to kick on so making the final for the first time is real progress.

“I just stuck to my game, but you have to be careful at Fulford, the bunkers are well positioned.’

Scrimshaw says the Newcastle upon Tyne-based Close House is also a club on the up.

Lee Westwood is attached and often practises at the north east venue.

“We hosted the PGA Seniors event last year and we’re looking to stage a major tournament in the future if we can,” added Scrimshaw.

‘The club’s always looking to move forwards and it was been a great place to play as an Assistant before qualifying.”

James French  (Owston Hall) and James Wilkinson ( Carlisle Golf Club) both finished with one under par rounds of 71 to tie fourth in an event which saw 13 qualifiers go through to the final. Full scores here.