We round up the latest results from the NE/NW PGA circuit
The region’s best professionals have been in full swing this month, with great scoring on some of the toughest courses as the season builds towards its final few events.
Morpeth pro David Clark and Andrew Richardson shared top spot in the circuit’s Tour Championship at Matfen Hall with rounds of one under-par. Ross Crowe, Gary McLure and James Wilkinson shared third place a shot further back.
Craig Goodfellow posted another low round of the season to win the Brampton GC Pro Am. His round of 64 was four shots better than the five players tied in second place – Crowe, Darren Crowle, Mark Ridley, Philip Waugh and Mathew Webb.
Goodfellow said: “It’s been a good year with some steady golf throughout. To get a good win at Brampton with another low score, following a great win at Hexham at the end of August, has turned it into a decent year. I’ve been hitting a lot of greens and, when the putts start dropping, I know I can go low. We’ve got a couple of more events and I’m looking forward to going into the winter with some confidence and a good plan for working on my game.”
September was also a successful month for Martin Forster, who won the Middlesbrough Municipal Pro Am with a round of 67, before sharing top spot three days later with Gary Vickers in the following event at Bellingham with a round of 68.
Forster said: “To get back-to-back wins, for the first time, as the season comes to an end is fantastic. I’ve had a few highs this season, but not done too well in the pro ams so it was great to pick up a couple of titles before the end of the year. To win consecutive titles at Middlesbrough is a great feeling, on a course I really enjoy. Then to head to Bellingham, where I coach every week, and play with two players I’ve worked with was another high.”
It’s also been a good couple of weeks for Simon Robinson – who built on a second-place finish at Ramside with consecutive victories in the NE/NW PGA Pro Am at Matfen Hall (68) and Bishop Auckland (67). Ryan Ingram and Goodfellow finished in second place a shot behind respectively.
At Ramside, South Moor pro Mark Ridley was on top form, finishing two shots clear of Clark and Robinson with a round of 66. The season concludes with the Archerfield Autumn Pro Am and Portugal Pro Am this month, and the final matches of the season-long matchplay event.