Wilson takes Prince’s crown
03/02/2015
Charlie Wilson (Littlestone) made the most of his links experience to win the first of two consecutive Winter Series events with Titleist & FootJoy at Prince’s.
He shot a three-under-par 68 to win by a stroke and edge out Matthew Rice (Purley Downs) on 69, taking the winner’s cheque and the much prized ball, glove and shoe contract as the leading Assistant.
Playing on the Himalayas and Shore layout, Wilson (above) was delighted with his victory as he explained: “I’ve just got a new set of clubs and wanted to get into competitive shape for The Sunshine Pro-Am in Portugal. I was playing in a pretty hot three ball with Max Brackley (Manston) and Jordan Godwin (Barnehurst) who were out-driving me all the time, but being first to hit the shot to the green made me focus better!”
Focus he certainly did, with a birdie at the second and sixth, and although a three putt on the ninth put him back to one-under, Wilson then birdied the next two holes to reach three-under-par. He made a terrific up and down on the par four 15th, parachuting a twenty yard shot up to an elevated pin position, nearly holing it for a birdie to go one better.
Wilson added: “Apart from the chilling temperature, the conditions were ideal with little wind to speak of, and the Prince’s course and especially the greens in great condition, firm, dry and rolling.
“Playing round Littlestone’s links a lot certainly gave me an edge around Prince’s, as you become very familiar with handling these types of conditions and playing surfaces.”
Wilson’s now well and truly fired up for both his trip to Portugal this week and the remaining Winter Series events with Titleist & FootJoy, saying: “Where we’re playing in Portugal – Quinta da Lago – it’s around 20c and I’m playing with a great team of Littlestone members, so with the Arctic blast blowing through the UK at the moment, I can’t wait!
“With the win at Prince’s I’m just about in contention for the overall Winter Series title as well, so with some wonderful winter courses coming up like The Berkshire, The London and Swinley Forest, I’ll definitely be playing in the remaining events.”
