Spence races to third win at Derby venue

Tim Spence (The Golf College) shot a one-under-par 69 to win the Epsom Pro-Am for the third time and notch up his third victory of the year.

Putting his win down to knowing the course and good planning, Spence was still surprised to find that he was at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the day and he took home the winner’s cheque for £1,000.

Spence had good cause. In second place on 70, Richard Hill (Top Pro Golf Inc) was four-under-par on the 16^th tee and looking to get his hands on the top prize, but a double bogey on the 16^th followed by another on the last hole undid all the good work and left him picking up second prize behind Spence.

As Spence explained: “It was a case of experience over youth! I’d won twice before at Epsom and know it quite well, so while all the others were over at West Hill, I thought I’d have a good chance at Epsom! But finishing on one-under, I was pretty sure I’d got nowhere this time.

“I played quite well, stiffed my drive at the blind par-four fourth for an eagle and then hit a drive and a wedge into the 11^th for another. I then failed to get up and down from off the side of the greens at the next two holes, went through the back of the 15^th hitting my second shot 280 instead of the 260 yards I needed, but was still battling away after making a birdie at the 16^th.

“But with just a wedge in my hand to the last green, it went a bit left and again, I took three more to get down.

“So yes, I was surprised to hand my card in and see my name at the top of the leaderboard. There was a tote running and three of the older hands including myself were the favourites, and while I was looking at the board, a lady came up, saw my name at the top and in a very excited voice told me she’d won the tote. Turns out I made the Lady Captain’s day!”

Spence continued: “This pro-am’s a great day and very well organised thanks to Epsom’s head PGA Professional Stuart Walker who puts in a lot of effort to pull in sponsors and set things up for everyone.”