Wesselingh whirlwind continues

Paul Wesselingh continues to ride the crest of a wave on the European Senior Tour after picking up his second win of the season at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in Switzerland.

The former Kedleston Park head PGA Professional defeated Kevin Spurgeon in a play-off and now heads to America to compete in the US Senior Open at Omaha Country Club in Nebraska.

Wesselingh sank a birdie at the third extra hole to take the title, having shot a six under par round of 64 on Sunday to haul himself into contention and post nine under. He now tops the Order of Merit with his third win in just 19 starts on the senior tour.

“To win twice in a year is good anyway, but now I’m off to America for the US Senior Open and looking forward to that. It is really exciting, and has opened up a whole new chapter in my life,” said the Derbyshire based player who was recently awarded PGA Advanced Fellow Professional status.

In America, the 51-year-old, who won the ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship last month, will be up against the cream of world seniors golf including the likes of Tom Watson, Bernard Langer, Fred Couples, Hale Irwin, Colin Montgomerie and Mark Calcavecchia. Englishman Roger Chapman will be defending his US crown.

Wesselingh has thrived in the senior ranks having graduated through the PGA national and regional tournament schedule and his success is testimony to his fitness, passion and dedication.

This was all in evidence in Switzerland when where he started the final day in a tie for 11th and five shots behind the 36 hole lead held by Santiago Luna and Gary Wolstenholme, before  seven birdies and an eagle and three bogeys put Wesselingh in the box seat.

“I started off five behind and set myself a target of 10 under to win, but you’re never sure if that’s going to be enough,” explained Wesselingh. “But I started off so well, and being five under par through six holes was incredible, and that’s when I found out I was leading.

“I felt pretty comfortable after that, until I was walking down 14 and I saw I still had a two shot lead. It might not have been a good idea to know that, and straight afterwards I made a couple of bogeys at 14 and 15. But then I made two tremendous putts on the next two, before a silly bogey on 18.

“Then in the play-off I missed a three footer on the second extra hole to win, but on the next I holed from 25 feet and Kevin missed from eight to tie.

“I’m just delighted. I love it here in Switzerland, it is a special place, and I even used to come here on holiday. They make us feel so welcome, and it is a great course and a special win.”

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones paid tribute to Wesselingh who during his PGA playing career won the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship and also played six times for the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team.

“We extend our sincere congratulations to Paul on what has been an unbelievable success story on the senior tour," he said.

“But it is one that is well earned because ahead of his time on tour he did focus himself on being prepared, worked hard at his game and his fitness to be the best he can be.

“And he has proved that he is now the best on the senior tour at this moment in time, sitting as he does at the top of the Order of Merit. It’s a great story and we wish him all the success in the US Senior Open this week.”

He added: “Part of his preparation was playing in PGA national and regional events in the build up to turning 50 and that was a big part of his planning and I’m delighted to see his efforts pay off.”