Wilson opens account

When Royal St George’s, Sandwich, opened its doors to The PGA in Kent, rookie Charlie Wilson took full advantage to become the proud winner of The PGA in Kent Championship. 

The Littlestone man claimed a well-deserved winner’s cheque for £850 and the leading assistant award after a terrific two round even-par total of 140. His gritty performance left Gary Gilligan (Wildernesse) and Paul Sherman (Ashford) trailing in a tie for second place on 143.

After shooting a two-over-par 72 in the morning, Wilson was just one shot behind the leaders on 71, Sherman and James Brooker (West Malling). He then produced a terrific two-under-par 68 to finish three shots in front of a strong field.

With the wind behind him on the first, Wilson made his score on the front nine. Birdies at the first and second were followed by pars with another birdie coming at the par five seventh. Unfazed by three putting the ninth, he was two-under-par at the turn and ready to face the severe back nine challenge.

“I hit it really well in the afternoon,” he said, “and although the course was long it was also soft and set up very fair for the conditions. I played regulation golf for 16 holes, and made a good up and down on the 12^th to save par after bunkering my drive and getting a flop shot from the right of the green to a foot from the hole.

“I know Royal St George’s very well, my short game and irons were good, and I got the pace of the greens spot on, all of which really helped. In the afternoon, most of my first putts were within 20 feet which took the pressure off making a score.”

Although 23 year-old Wilson has only just started playing in The PGA in Kent events, he also won the recent North Foreland Pro-Am as well. He now wants to earn his stripes and play in the regional events.

He explained: “This is a great result, and now I’m really looking forward to playing in the regional events and especially the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit events.”