Team Essendon take home Teamwork Trophy (East)

The Essendon Country Club team of PGA Head Professional Ian Taylor and Director of Golf Paul Densham combined their talents to win the Teamwork Trophy (East), supported by Open Solutions, with a stunning seven-under-par 64.

Playing a Fourball Betterball format at Hartsbourne Country Club in sunny conditions, 22 teams of golf club managers and PGA Professionals within The PGA in England (East) region battled strong winds and ironed greens to see who could produce the lowest score.

Teeing off first, the Three Rivers team of pro David Salisbury and manager John Hatfield set the early pace with an impressive five-under-par 66. But with an eagle and four birdies on the back nine their rivals from Essendon jumped to the top of the leader board, leaving Three Rivers in second spot and the West Essex team of PGA Pro Chris Baron and club manager James Levick in third on 67.

While the Essendon pair went home with a £300 cheque for the pro and six bottles of wine for the manager, Open Solutions’ prize table included bottles of prosecco for the four nearest the pin winners and a case of wine for the lucky club whose number was drawn from the raffle.

Open Solutions CEO Ed Beale said: “The PGA East set up and ran another terrific event, while Hartsbourne’s team ensured everyone had a great time on and off the course, providing us with greens that rivalled Augusta and an excellent dinner afterwards to celebrate the golf.”

He added: “It’s especially pleasing to see the interest in this event is really growing. The idea behind this event of getting the key people in any golf club to come together is more relevant now than ever, so I’m delighted to confirm that we will not only be supporting The PGA Pro & Secretary Challenge (East) in 2020, but helping to establish it in other PGA regions as well.”