Super Hooper strikes gold at Girton

Mark Hooper (The Rayleigh Club) surged to a three-shot success in the Marshalls Volvo Captain’s Charity Girton GC Pro-Am – just days after his superb show at the star-studded BMW PGA Championship.

Hooper, 30, sprinkled some of his Wentworth magic around the Cambridge course, shooting a six-under-par 63.

His nearest rival was fellow Wentworth competitor Ian Ellis (Gt Yarmouth and Caister) who fired a 66, while Mark Stokes (Rayleigh Golf Range) was a further stroke back in third spot.

Hooper carded seven birdies in all, including four in the last five holes, as the feel-good factor from his European Tour outing continued. Last Sunday, he finished at level par for his four rounds in a tie for 38th, earning €29,450.

“It was an amazing week – it didn’t feel real,” reflected Hooper. “Every good thing that could’ve happened seemed to happen. I’ve always dreamt of playing with Justin Rose – he is a role model. To get drawn with him in the fourth round was amazing.

“In practice on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, I hit it really well. I didn’t rule out that I could achieve maybe (coming) 38th. I kind of thought that if I could get over the mental side of things that I could compete. I never thought that I was going to get into the top-10 twice and get to five-under. That was outside of my expectations.

“I really want to push on with my career – it has given me a lot of belief that I can do it. I just want to see where it can go.”

Hooper received a warm welcome from his fellow professionals at Girton – along with lots of other positive post-Wentworth feedback.

He said: “The guys have been great...everyone has been so nice. I’ve had so many messages from other pros – a lot that I have never met. It has been great to get their support. Everyone has seemed genuinely really pleased.”

As well as landing the individual spoils at Girton, Hooper also led the winning team on a score of 125.