Success for Sam and Luke

Sam Forgan and Luke Goddard were the big winners at Colne Valley as the curtain came down on the PGA East Region’s seasonal Order of Merit series.

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club trainee Forgan claimed a two-shot victory in the Colne Valley Classic, supported by Kingsley Healthcare and Greene King.

Mark Talbott (Upminster) was runner-up, a stroke ahead of Goddard who finished tied-third – which ensured he finished top of the 2022 Order of Merit.

Forgan, 32, clinched his maiden Order of Merit tournament victory, courtesy of rounds of 66 and 67 that left him at the summit on seven-under-par.

He said: “It’s always good to win. I kind of took a bit of pressure off myself this week and just tried to go and enjoy it.

“I drove it really nicely. I think some of those tee-shots get pretty narrow, so I decided to take it on, on a few of those. And I holed out reasonably well – didn’t really miss too many short ones.

“Mark wasn’t taking it on easy on me, holing two really nice long putts on 14 and 16. Thankfully I followed him in both times, which kind of gave me a little bit of a cushion.

“But it felt like it was never really in hand…I’d sort of get away a little bit, then he would come back. It was a good tussle.”

Caption – Luke Goddard clinched the 2022 Order of Merit crown after finishing tied-third at Colne Valley.

The only time Forgan had a little bit of breathing space was on the final tee after Talbott made bogey at the par-3 17th.

The Suffolk golfer had a three-shot cushion playing the last and although Talbott made a closing birdie it was only sufficient to take sole possession of second place on his own.

Goddard bagged the 2022 Order of Merit crown after a fine season in which he finished tied-ninth, first, third and tied-third in the four counting events.

He signed off for the series in the manner of a champion, shooting six-under-par 64 – the lowest round of the tournament.

It meant Goddard – a professional at Hendon Golf Club – ended up comfortably clear in the overall rankings with Harry Casey (The Shire) runner-up and Michael Vandenberg in third place.

All three earned a berth in the PGA Play-Offs, which brings together all the top PGA professionals from its seven regions across Britain and Ireland. Forgan missed out in fourth spot with Talbott just behind him in fifth.

Goddard, 34, said: “It has been a solid year. All the Order of Merit events, you want to play well in those and secure your pro-am places for next year and try to get in the top-three. So to finish first is brilliant.

“The consistency has been pretty good this year. And, as I’ve said before, mentally I’ve been pretty good as well – which has helped the consistency, I think. You need a lot of patience, which in previous seasons I haven’t had!

“I’m really looking forward to the Play-Offs – it’s just nice to be in the mix. As golfers you want to put yourself against the best.”

Photo caption (lead image) – Sam Forgan secured his maiden Order of Merit success with a two-shot win the Colne Valley Classic, supported by Kingsley Healthcare and Greene King.

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