The new season may have started in British Summer Time but winter was still evident on a bitterly cold and wet day at West Lancs in our season opener.
Defying the conditions Pike Fold's GRANT HAMERTON charged out of the blocks with four straight birdies and despite losing his tee shot at the fifth a second ball birdie and another birdie at the sixth saw him 4 under after six holes. He maintained this position with just one more birdie and only one bogey for a final 4 under return of 68 to secure a two shot win from a big field of over 100 players to secure the £1,500 first place.
In tied second were Jason Dransfield and Chris Clarke on two under 70 closely followed by James Hepworth and Harry Proos also both in the red on one under 71. With a further 4 players on level, seven on plus one and ten on plus two the scoring was excellent on an extremely difficult and trying day.
Among the 72's was PGA Cup legend Paul Wesslingh which secured him the senior section pipping Frank Kiddie and Paul Eales by two shots as they returned two over 74's, Frank only stumbling at the end with a bogey, bogey finish. It was certainly a day for experience as evidenced by the eight 'old boys' in the field who all returned scores of 78 or better.
The amateurs was another close run affair with Fraser McLeod's 76 looking like it might be enough to win until Formby's England international Ian Winstanley came to the 14th. Arriving on the tee at +4 he proceeded to hole out with a three iron for an eagle two on a hole where many cards were wrecked on the day. He then birdied the 15th and 18th to finish at level par 72 for an 'easy' win!
How Scotland's Mark Kerr would have liked that finish. He was 4 under through 13 only to fall foul of he last five as did many on the day finally signing for a two over 74.
At the end of the day it appeared that it was an honourable tie as to the winner betwen the players and the testing course and conditions.
A field of 102 players was undoubtedly a great start to our third, and biggest, season yet. Next up is the fabulous St Annes Old Links for our first two day event of the season next week on Wednesday and Thursday the 7th and 8th of April when thankfully some warmer conditions are forecast.
