City of Newcastle’s Alex Dixon won the season opening North & South Trophy at Northumberland Golf Club as he set out on the road to European Tour Qualifying School later this year.
Alex led the field of 81 players with a five under-par total of 139 (71-68) as Northumberland GC-based Paul Caldicott finished in second place on two under-par (73-69). Close House’s James Wilson, the 2020 Northumberland county champion, finished in third place a shot further back as Sandy Twynholm (Morpeth), Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) and Shane Armstrong (Goswick) shot level-par rounds to finish in a tie for fourth place. Meanwhile, Northumberland GC-based junior Harrison Sewell won the nett prize with rounds of 68 and 73.
Alex, who has set his sights on European Tour Qualifying School in September and will compete in some of the UK’s biggest amateur events in 2021, said: “Winning the North & South was a brilliant start to the year and I feel like I’ve really hit the ground running.
“I felt a little rusty in my round the previous day, but I had a good warm up and felt confident. I played my best golf in the opening round, but didn’t make a lot of putts. In the afternoon, I made birdie at the first and got some key putts to drop from there, which allowed me to build a score through the second round.
“I’ve worked hard through the winter and lockdown, getting fitter and stronger, so I can push on this season. I’ve also been putting in some good work with my coach, Steve Bainbridge, and feel ready to compete in the biggest amateur events this summer ahead of Q School in September.”
