Westley off to a flier

Phil Westley made a flying start to his professional career with victory on his debut in the Dell Bower Suffolk PGA pro-am on his home course of Hintlesham.

The left-handed Westley was a county first team player for Suffolk as an amateur. He had a round of five-under-par 67 that included seven birdies five of which came in rapid succession between the 13th and 18th holes.

It was drizzling for much of the day and the course was very wet with all bunkers deemed ground under repair. The greens stood up well to the conditions.

Joint runners-up were at four-under-par were Bradley Wilkins of Fynn Valley, also a first year assistant, and Ian Ellis of Costessey Park in Norfolk who will be representing the East Region in the Titleist PGA Play Offs in Turkey between November 23 and 25. Ellis had six birdies and two dropped shots.

Wilkins was one over on the first nine but had three birdies on his back nine as well as an eagle at the 501-yard par five 15th hole.

Lawrence Dodd of Bury Golf Range took fourth place with a round of three-under-par 69 that confirmed his place as winner of the Suffolk PGA order of merit for 2013 with Chris Smith (Fynn Valley) runner-up, Andrew Robinson (Stowmarket) third and Neil Mitchell (Bury Golf Range) fourth.

Four players ended one-under-par. They were Keith Preston (Aldeburgh), Peter Latimer (Felixstowe Ferry), Matt Ransome (Seckford) and first year assistant Josh King (Waldringfield).