Walley beats traffic delay with route 66
10/09/2014
Ian Walley made light of an emergency dash to the course to fire a seven-under-par 66 at Stapleford Park to help Derbyshire reach the SkyCaddie PGA England and Wales Inter-County Championship at The Belfry next month.
The Kedleston Park head PGA Professional and team-mate James Whatley (Morley Hayes) were delayed by traffic in joining the third member of the three-man team, Brailsford’s Kevin Taylor, and arrived at the regional qualifier in Leicestershire without even time for a practice putt.
But Walley, starting at the tenth tee, showed few ill effects as he picked up five shots on his front nine including an eagle at the 519-yard par-five 15th and added two more birdies on the closing half with no dropped shots.
With the two best scores counting his effort along with Taylor’s 72 gave them an eight-under total and four strong victory over the Nottinghamshire team represented by Andrew Willey (Bulwell Forest), Lee Clarke (Beeston Fields) and Phil Edwards (Nottinghamshiregolflessons.co.uk).
Derbyshire will go through to play in the £10,000 final against four other counties at The Belfry’s PGA National Course from October 14-15.
“It was all a little bit unexpected,” admitted Walley.
“We arrived with half an hour to spare and I was starting on the tenth at Stapleford which is a good five to ten minute walk so by the time I’d got ready I didn’t even have time for a practice putt.
“We thought we had a pretty strong team but to be fair there were some other strong sides like Notts and Leicestershire so it’s great to reach the final, I’m sure The Belfry course will be in good condition and it brings a bit of excitement to the end of the season.
“As juniors we all competed against each other in counties but when you turn pro that rivalry disappears a bit so it’s good to get it back with this event.”
October’s final will be Walley’s fourth PGA national final in three years having won two PGA Pro-Captain titles and the PGA National Pro-Am Championship.
He is also lying third in the PGA in England (Midlands) Order of Merit with one event to go and if he can cement that spot will also qualify for the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey in November.
