Super Scott survives Surrey scorcher

Callum Scott’s golf matched the soaring summer temperatures at Farnham, shooting an impressive two round one-under-par total to win The SuperStroke PGA in Surrey Assistants Championship by four shots.

The Silvermere PGA Assistant’s second round was too strong for the opposition on a day when blistering 35 degree temperatures were being recorded. Keeping his cool, Scott’s sterling performance earned him a cracking cheque for £600 and the Mark Gerrard Memorial Trophy.

“I haven’t played much competitive golf this year, but I was pretty close in the Milford Pro-Am back in June and have practiced hard since then,” said Scott.

“It was very exciting to be in contention all day, especially coming through the back nine when I knew I had a really good chance. Somehow, I managed to keep things going despite the heat.”

“Farnham was in amazing condition, thanks to Alasdair Hay and his team, and I’d also like to express my thanks on everyone’s behalf to the brilliant guys at Brand Fusion and SuperStroke – without them and all the supporters who were at The PGA in Surrey Annual Dinner back in February, we’d never have had this terrific opportunity.”

In the runners up position for cheques of £362 were local man Luke Bone (Farnham) and Purley Down’s Matt Rice, both of whom finished four behind on three-over-par totals of 147. Bramley’s James Johnson was the Leading Trainee in sixth spot with 149 and £220.

Scott had been sharing the lead after the first round with Bone, Camberley Heath’s Peter Horner and former winner from Wentworth, Stuart Boyle.  

With the pressure on down the stretch and three players tied for the lead at the turn, Scott maintained his form with a back nine of two-under-par, while his two main rivals wilted to finish with second rounds of 75 and 76 respectively.

Scott’s opening round see-sawed with five birdies mixed with five bogeys, but although he started his afternoon round with a birdie, two more bogeys came at the second and the fifth.

From thereon, Scott was untouchable, making nine pars in a row, two birdies at the 15th and 16th, and two more pars to finish four shots ahead.

Rice’s first round left him three behind, but he then opened his second round with eagle birdie to be right back in the mix.

Reaching the turn in level par overall, three bogeys at the 10th, 14th and 16th spoiled his chances, even if at lunchtime he might have been happy to settle for second spot.

Bone was also level par with nine to go, but a bogey at the 10th and a double bogey at the 14th proved too expensive on a day when back nine birdies were proving very elusive.