Published at 09:12, Monday, 18 June 2012

OUTSIDER Paul Wesselingh plodged through in the rails to become a surprise winner of the ISPS Handa Seniors championship at Slaley Hall.

Tumultuous rain meant that the competition was reduced to 54 holes rather than the scheduled 72, with play abandoned on Friday.

Going into the final day four shots off the lead, the club professional from Kedleston Park in Derby produced a barrage of birdies to snatch victory by a single shot.

However, the real heroes of the day were Steve Cram and his team of greenkeepers, who worked wonders to ensure the Hunting course was playable for the final two days.

A month’s rain fell in one day, but by working from first light all day, they managed to sweep and squeegee it all away to allow the truncated tournament to reach a conclusion.

Wesselingh’s final round of 67 – five under par – gave him a total of 210 for the 54 holes, which put him one ahead of defending champion Andrew Oldcorn, and Sweden’s Anders Forsbrand.

During the first round of the tournament, several local golfers with a difference also got in on the action.

A party of ten from Henshaws Society for Blind People travelled to Slaley to receive instruction from a team of PGA professionals specially trained to teach blind and disabled golfers.

Philippa Taylor, a team leader for Henshaws which celebrates its 175th anniversary in two weeks, backed the coaching clinic and described it as a hugely positive experience.

“When many of the blind people first come to me they’ve got no confidence, no IT skills no nothing, so we work to build up their skills for everyday life,” she said.

“Something like this, where they can get support and are going to be given proper golf tuition, is great for them.

“It is the first time we’ve done this and it was hard to pick who to come along and who to leave behind because everyone was excited at the prospect and wanted to give it a go.”

The Men’s Captain's Day Stableford at Hexham was keenly contested as Les Dixon was joined by 164 competitors for the event.

Winning the event was Terry Fenwick (39 points), ahead of Liam O'Carroll (38) and Roger Henderson (38).

The top four, which also included Martin Coup (37) represented a wide range of handicaps - 22, 6, 14 and 0- to demonstrate that people at different levels can do well on their day.

The Division One winner of the Thursday Stableford was Mark Fletcher (40), with John Storey (37) second, and Bobby Daglish (36) third.

Bob Bailey (42) won Division Two, followed by Martin Bayly (40) and Matthew Vincent (35)..

Josh Timmins (39) won the Hall of Fame Championship Stableford after countback from David McGlasson (39). Lindsay Reid (38) was third.

In the PGA National Pro-Am Championship Ian Pickering (75-13-62) won comfortably from a field of 124.

Nat McLeave (78-13-65) was second, with Geoff Strong (81-15-66) third.

In the Junior Stableford Alex Phillips playing off a 28 handicap, was the winner with an excellent 41 points.

Matty Lamb was second on 39, with James Dunn third on 38

In the Thursday Stableford Kim Steward was the Division One winner on 39, a point ahead of runner-up Duncan Storey.

David Haffey took third place on countbackon 35.

Division Two honours went to Tony Pyle on 37, with Michael Lee second on 36, on countback from Thomas Philipson.

The Nelson Tankards greensome medal went to R. and A. Bull on 74-9.2-64.8.

Second spot went to P. Dodds and M. Lowes with 72-6.6-65.4, with T. Fenwick A. Tzeicheck third on 82-16.2-65.8).

At Allendale, Jim Hall was the only player to make light of difficult conditions, winning the June Medal by five strokes with his 80-18-62.

Second was Robin Makepeace (81-14-67) on countback from Andy Gray.

The ladies’ medal went to club champion Fran Philipson, nett 68, from Shirley Brown, 69.

Between belts of rain, unusually calm conditions produced some exceptional scoring in the Sinderhope Cup, Jonathon Birchall's 45 points, James Hall's 44 and Mike Carter's 43 all bringing handicap reductions.

The battle among juniors for the Dave Wilson Memorial Shield resulted in Edward Charlton winning on countback from Elliott Fairless (both 24) with Oliver Handcock third on 20.

Matfen Ladies have played their Qualifying Medal for the Journal Trophy which was won by Sue MacWhirter, nett 69.

Second was Pam Henderson nett 71, with Barbara Clayton third on 74.

Sue MacWhirter will go through to play in the final at Bedlington on July 11.

The stableford competition in Hexham ladies’ section for the Gascoigne Tray was won by Sue Cooke on 43 points, on countback from Jenny Stewart.

Third was Paula Forster on 38, again on countback from Sarah Longstaff.

The Journal Trophy was played alongside the fourth monthly medal.

Winner of both the Journal Trophy ands the silver division medal was Joan Abraham on 88-16-72.

Second in the Journal Trophy was Jean Thompson on 95- 22-73, followed on countback by Paula Forster on 97 - 24 73.

Runner-medal up in the silver division medal was Angela Gilhespy on 93-20- 73 followed by Anne Bayly on 94-20 -74.

Sue Cooke won the bronze division on 103 - 32 - 71, with Jean Thompson second and Paula Forster third.

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