Woodbridge casts Doris aside at Swinley

Bearwood Lakes’ Martin Woodbridge overcame everything that Storm Doris and his rivals could throw at him, shooting an excellent 71 around Swinley Forest to win the seventh event in the PGA South Winter Series with Titleist & FootJoy.

Taking the £333 winner’s cheque, Woodbridge just managed to hold off Barnehurst’s Jordan Godwin. His 72 with one birdie reflected just how difficult things were, as 50mph winds blew through the trees that corridor almost every hole at the iconic Colt-designed Swinley.

Proving that particular point, Lee-on-the-Solent’s leftie James Ablett managed three birdies, but could only finish on four-over-par 73 to share third spot with Central London Golf Centre’s Alex Williams.

Regional secretary Sam Smith was full of praise for Swinley Forest’s management, as the club was prepared to open its doors to the region’s PGA Professionals not just once but twice because demand - nearly 90 players - to play there in the Winter Series is so strong.

As the Winter Series draws to a close, Calcot Park’s Alex Lodge is still in front, chased hard by Littlestone’s Charlie Wilson. But with two more events to go, The London on 6^th March and the Titleist & FootJoy A&T BetterBall Pro-Am on 12^th April, the race for this year’s PGA South Titleist & FootJoy Winter Series Order of Merit** and the Battle Bowl is still too close to call.