Trio tie at North Foreland

Jordan Godwin (Rochester & Cobham, above), William Bado (Thamesview Golf Centre) and Jay Kelly (West Kent) each shot a one-over-par 72 on a drizzly day at North Foreland GC.

Second place in the Titleist and FootJoy supported Winter Series event with 73 was shared by a further five players: Benjamin Vernon (Manston Golf Centre), James Jones (Tonbridge Golf Centre), Alexander MacGregor (Addington Court), James Sharp (Waterhall) and Kyle Kelsall (Quin Direct).

After a count back for the leading assistant, Bado took home the valuable Titleist & FootJoy glove, ball and shoe contract to set himself up nicely for next season.

Of the three leading players Kelly was in the best position at the turn, having birdied five out of six holes starting from the second. Despite a dropped stroke at the ninth, Kelly was clearly in command on four-under-par.

Godwin got off to a great start as well, with three birdies in succession straight after a clumsy bogey at the first. A bogey at the eighth left him just one-under-par but still in good shape for the back nine challenge.

By comparison, Bado was one-over-par at the turn having shot two birdies on the trot at the second and third, only to make three bogeys to the turn. Another at the 10^th left him struggling on two-over-par, but he then made a much better fist of the back nine than either Bado or Godwin with a run of pars and a birdie at the 16^th to finish on 72.

Kelly frittered away his lead with five bogeys over the back nine to finish on 72, while Godwin’s fortunes were a little more mixed. He made bogeys at the 10^th and 12^th, birdied the 16^th to get back to level-par, and then three-putted the 17^th to drop another stroke and end up in a tie.

Despite the rollercoaster ride of a round Godwin was satisfied with the way he played.

“The front nine was definitely easier and I should have made more birdie putts at the fifth, sixth and seventh,” he explained.

“I went and three putted the eighth and the 17^th as well, so on reflection my short game wasn’t too hot while from tee to green it was pretty sharp, with just a couple of errors at the 10^th and 12^th."

“I’ll be playing in some of the other Winter Series events as they’re played at terrific courses for winter golf like Prince’s, Swinley Forest, and The London. But my main focus is on the Golf Escapes Overseas Pro-Am in Spain in February at Santana and Mijas – I can’t wait for some of that winter sun!