Published at 09:10, Monday, 06 August 2012

MICKLEY Square’s very own professional golfer has made his mark on the international stage by picking up his first European Challenge Tour title.

Chris Paisley (left) claimed his maiden triumph in the tour, finishing two shots clear of his nearest rival in the English Challenge at Stoke by Nayland Hotel last week.

By carding a one under par final round of 71, Paisley managed to hold on to the lead he had built over the rest of the field going into the final day.

But the former Tynedale Sports Council sportsman of the year made hard work of it as his three shot lead nearly slipped from his grasp, with England’s Francis McGuirk pushing him all the way.

On the final day, McGuirk gained four shots in as many holes midway through his front nine to join Paisley at the top, but he then slipped up with a double bogey at the seventh.

This gave Paisley confidence, and he proceeded to birdie the ninth and 10th holes to increase the gap to four and, despite dropping a shot each at the 11th and 12th, he birdied the 14th and 16th holes.

After bogeying the 11th and a double bogeying the 13th, McGuirk effectively ended his challenge for the crown to allow Paisley had the luxury of bogeying the final two holes.

Paisley, a former Walker Cup player, said: “I'm overjoyed, obviously, but it’s a relief too.

“It probably looked quite straightforward on the leaderboard because I was quite a bit ahead most of the day, but it was tough to be honest.

“I wasn’t at my best so I was grinding for pars a lot of the time. I managed to take advantage of the holes that I did play well at, but I'm really happy to get my first win.

“I was nervous the whole way around but I got a steady start and it did give me a bit of confidence to roll a 12-footer in on the third.”

He added: “This has given me a great shot of getting my European Tour card now. I was in a pretty good position before this week but, to get a win, shoots me up there and who knows what I can do now?”

The success rounded off an exciting week for Paisley who was unveiled as the new tour professional at the ever-expanding Close House Hotel and Golf Resort at Heddon-on-the-Wall.

He, along with Anna Scott (27), of Consett, were unveiled as the tour pros at the resort as owner Graham Wylie looks to nurture some home grown talent to follow in the footsteps of their attached tour professional Lee Westwood.

Due to his continuing commitments on the Challenge Tour, Paisley could not be present at the official unveiling of the new pros, but Scott introduced herself to her new clubmates.

An ex-British Girls, champion, she finished third on the Canadian women’s tour of order of merit last year and is looking forward to her new role at the Tynedale resort.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk