CornwallGolf Union
Current Duchy Amateur Champion Conor Wilson (Perranporth and pictured above with CGU President Mike Ellis) yesterday won the Cornish Closed Championship at Looe GC after shooting two excellent rounds of golf to claim the title by 4 shots from Joe Cruse (St Enodoc). On a glorious warm sunny and calm day Looe Golf Club was presented in excellent early season condition, something which was remarked on by many across the day.
Conor’s total over the 36 holes was a 7 under par 133. Cruse had led at the halfway stage with a morning 4 under score of 66 but he was to fade to a 71 in the afternoon. Cruse’s first round contained 5 birdies and just the one dropped shot at the par 5 11th.
Wilson had 4 birdies in his first round and at the halfway mark was in fine position to mount a challenge. Going off the 10th in his second round he was 5 under through his first 7 holes and was eying the course record 64 set by Ian Veale some years ago. However a bogey 5 on the 17th meant some lost momentum. He dropped a further shot at the 6th but finished strongly with two more birdies at his last two holes to earn a well deserved victory - his 4th win in the event in the last 11 years.
Third place was claimed by Carlyon Bay’s Ben Armstrong who returned a one under par total of 139 (72/67) and he beat fourth placed Carl Burley (Trevose) on countback after the latter scored 70/69).
PGA Professionals James Ruth (China Fleet) and Adam Curtis (Bude & N Cornwall) also finished on the 139 mark in 5th and 6th spots respectively. One shot further back were the Mullion duo of PGA Professional Katie Rule - pictured above - and amateur Alex McHugh. With this being the first occasion female PGA professionals have played in the event their combined score meant they picked up the prize for Best Professional/Best Amateur from the same club. A total of 6 PGA Professionals played in the event.
From the 52 entrants the handicap competition top spot went to China Fleet's Matt Fox - pictured above - who returned a nett total of 135 with scores of 69 and 66 off his 5 handicap. In a family twist it had been father Mark who led the handicap going after Round 1 as he returned a nett 64 but disappointingly for one member of the family at least the second round did not prove so good. Second place in the handicap went to the ever popular stalwart and county senior Malcolm Edmunds. His morning round of nett 71 was followed by an excellent nett 65 - for a total of 136 - as he beat his age in his words for the second time only. Third spot went to Armstrong with nett scores of 71 and 66 for a 137 total.
The U21 Champion was Simon Hobbs (Bowood Park) with scores of gross 68 and 77 (145), whilst second spot went to County Junior Captain Joe Reynard (Trevose,147) and third to Cameron Gurd (Perranporth, 148)
PGA Professional Nick Williams (above, St Enodoc) - clearly enjoying the sunshine and the golf
At the presentation CGU President Mike Ellis praised Looe GC and thanked them for their hosting of the event, thanking PGA Professional Barrie Evans and Club Secretary Nigel Hurst, who had been instrumental in their efforts from the outset of arrangements. He singled out the massive efforts and improvements to the course brought about by Greenkeeeper Matt Edwards and his small team. Ellis also thanked the considerable number of Looe members who had acted as helpers and spotters across the entire day as well as the caterers who had ensured everyone had been well fed and watered on what had been a long day. He suggested the club had proved beyond doubt it was worthy of staging the event and he looked forward to returning there again soon.
L to R: Charlie Phillips tees off watched by Jamie Crocker, PGA Professional Barrie Evans, Lee Kingdon who returned a nett 65 in Rd 2, Eugenie Knight at the 3rd, Katie Rule and Alex McHugh with Mike Ellis, and Simon Hobbs also with the CGU President.