Stevens masters gale lashed Littlestone

Staplehurst’s Scott Stevens mastered near impossible conditions at Littlestone to win the third event in the 2015 PGA South Winter Series with Titleist & FootJoy.

Winning £333, Stevens’ heroic performance of two-over-par 73 was five shots clear of Leeds Castle’s Steve Purves who shot 78, while two more shots behind were Ashford’s Thomas Muchmore, Birchwood Park’s James McGilvray and the winner of the leading Assistants’ prize of the ball, glove and shoe contract, PGolfCoaching@Pedham’s Adam Clough.

With the wind speeds reaching well over 30mph from the get go and gusting up to 50mph, Littlestone’s coastal links were exposed to the full force of the gale force weather. Stevens soon proved the point with a triple bogey seven on the second hole, but a brilliant birdie, eagle, birdie charge through the fourth, fifth and sixth catapulted him into pole position on one-under-par.

The real problems were on the back nine, where Stevens dropped shots at the 10^th and then the 12^th. A deuce at the 14^th got him back on even par and two more pars kept him there. The last two holes were into the teeth of the gale and bogeys ensued, but on a day when simply completing the round was an achievement, Stevens’ 73 was outstanding.

Stevens realised it was the same test for everyone. He explained: “It was all about keeping your head, as shots were inevitably going to be dropped. The wind’s force made it difficult to address the ball, let alone play the type of shots that were required, but the course itself was in great condition.

 “The triple bogey on the second was a big blow, but the birdie, eagle, birdie run restored my confidence and determination to make the best of the situation we faced.

“The bogey, bogey finish was OK, given we were facing an even stronger wind than we’d started with. It was only when we got back inside and were able to compare notes that I began to appreciate how good my 73 actually was!”

The dates of the remaining PGA South Winter Series events in 2016 are: Prince’s – 25^th and 26^th January, The Berkshire (Blue) – 17^th February, The London (International) – 1^st March, and the traditional finale at Farnham is on 13^th April, the Titleist & FootJoy BetterBall Pro-Am.