Watson sets new low mark at Weymouth
24/08/2015
Record-breaking Michael Watson won for the second time in two weeks over his former home course at Weymouth.
His eight-under-par 62 was two shots higher than the 60 posted by European Senior Tour player Gary Emerson two decades ago. But new course alterations, including the addition of 50 yards to the 16th hole, mean the club now have a new record holder.
It is hardly a surprise for he started his golf as a junior there 30 years ago and almost “owns” the annual pro-am. This was his third win in four years and he was second in 2010 and fourth last year.
He completed his round without a five on the card, two of his eight birdies came at the par fives, with nine fours, eight threes and a two at the tenth. It was by far his best round of the year and a great confidence-booster before he sets off to California next month as a member of the PGA Cup team to take on the United States.
The low scoring was helped by the earlier rain that has softened most west courses and minimised the bouncy greens that so often feature at this time of year. Watson was out in 32 and back in 30.
Dan Carter (Upavon) was another to take advantage and pressed Watson all the way with a magnificent 63 to be just one shot behind the Wessex Golf Centre maestro. Despite dropping a shot at the second, he rallied with a back nine of 30 including an eagle at the 11th and a total of six birdies. It was his best round since shooting 62 in winning at West Wilts three years ago.
Henry Pallas (Hamptworth), Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) and David Dixon (Enmore Park) were well back in third on 67.
New Weston-super-Mare assistant Dan Toogood led the winning Waterside team of Robert Whitley, Brian Walden and Martin Denning into first place in the team section on 15-under-par 125. They beat Mark Searle (High Post) and the Weymouth Golf Club team of Stuart Elliott, Simon Gray and Kevin Grimshaw – father PGA pro Fern – on countback.
Retired former Moor Park professional Somerset-based Lawrence Farmer was a late replacement and headed the Charlbury Wines trio of Luke Mansell, Martin Polkinghorn and Rob Pegg into third place two shots behind.
