Craig Bell (33413/1)

Cumberwell Park professional Craig Bell won his first West Region pro-am and his biggest cheque in the 50-team event over the Minchinhampton Common course golfers share with sheep and cattle.

He also returned a career-low round of eight-under-par 63 to win £777.

He carded nine threes and nine fours in a flawless exhibition. His front-side birdies came at 1, 2, 6 and 7 for 33 and he gained shots at 11, 12, 15 and 17 in an inward nine of 30.

Bell, aged 26, from Trowbridge, was fifth in the West Region PGA championship at Woodbury Park last summer after leaving Bowood to concentrate on a playing career. That was his previous career-best.

But he was two shots away from the course record shot by Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) in 2003.

Former European Tour player Mark Sanders (Knowle) must have fancied his chances after posting 67 with seven birdies but had to settle for second.

In-form Welshman Matt Griffiths, who has just taken over as club pro at Oakdale, was the third player not to drop a shot. Four birdies and an eagle at the par-five 12th brought his 65.

He started the season by winning the first Titleist-Footjoy under-30s league at Exeter and then took third place in the Glenmuir club pros regional qualifier at Burnham and Berrow after another sub-par round.

Former Minchinhampton assistant Paul Morss made it a Cumberwell Park double by bringing in the winning pro-am team.

Minchinhampton's Stuart Little, the left-hander who lost his European Tour card last season, led the second-placed team.

Tracy Loveys, who is now club pro at Bigbury, won the women's individual medal for the eighth time.

9:18am Wednesday 7th May 2008

Print

Email this