Stokes defies the cold
25/05/2013
Mark Stokes of Rayleigh Golf Range coped with wintry conditions to win the Telesys (UK) Nazeing Golf Club Invitational pro-am.
His round of three under par 69 included four birdies. “It was so cold. I have never had to wear mittens and a bobble hat at the end of May before but the course held up well.”
Noel Quinn of Whipsnade Park, winner of two order of merit events last year, was the only other player under par.
His round of 71 included four birdies, one bogey and a double at the par three 13th.
Mark Baker (Colchester) and Mark Hooper (Rayleigh Golf Range) were joint fourth on level par with Nazeing assistant George Hewitt fifth at one over.
The only eagle of the day came at the 410-yard fourth hole from Roger Gray of Thorndon Park.
There was a good entry of 36 teams. The winners were Dave Smith of Chadwell Springs with amateurs Ryan Smith, Mo Shropshire and Brian Offord. They finished on 12 under par 132 four shots clear of their nearest rivals.
Smith said: “We were fortunate to have an early start because the weather became even worse later in the day.”
Stokes, together with Nazeing members Peter Gyoury, Martin Porter and Tony Ashall took second place on count back with 136. Paul Hetherington (Great Hadham), Paul Hodges, Steve Hodges and Jim Munroe were third.
