Jonathan Graham topped the North East & North West PGA’s Titleist Order of Merit following an incredibly consistent year in the association’s professional tournaments and Pro Series events.
Whitehaven-based Jonathan led the season-long points race with 955.90 points – finishing just 11.75 points clear of runner-up David Clark (Morpeth) after 11 events.
Having tied for top spot in the opening Pro Series event of the year at Newbiggin, Jonathan also had T2, T3, T6, T16 and T22 finishes in the season-opening series.
He went on to enjoy a string of consistent finishes in the association’s professional tournaments – finishing T4 in the PGA Championship at Teesside, T10 in the Northumberland and Durham Open at Matfen Hall, T3 in the Heineken Dunstanburgh Classic, T15 in the Tour Championship at Brancepeth Castle, and reaching the quarter-finals of the Matchplay Championship at Slaley Hall.
“It’s a great feeling to win the order of merit,” said 51-year-old Jonathan. “We’re lucky to have a busy schedule, and it feels like a long time since it got going at Newbiggin.
“Having a go at Q School for the Legends Tour meant I was sharp early, and a good run of results in the Pro Series events was the key to winning the order of merit. I was consistent through the tournaments and kept picking up points to get over the line right at the end.
“My driving has become the best part of my game in the last few years, and that’s been great as it travels really well. If the putter gets going, I’ve got a chance to do well. I’ll be ready to defend the trophy next season, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Meanwhile, following Martyn Stubbings’ win in the PGA Championship and Michael Skelton’s victory in the Northumberland and Durham Open earlier this season, Vince Guest, Graeme Bell and David enjoyed victories in order of merit events.
Teesside Golf Club-based Vince came through a sudden-death playoff to lift the Heineken Dunstanburgh Classic trophy. Having finished alongside Close House-based Craig Smith with a one under-par score of 69 after 18 holes, Vince secured victory with a birdie at the second hole of the playoff.
Graeme then came through a three-man playoff to win the Tour Championship at Brancepeth Castle. Hartlepool-based Graeme finished tied at the top of the leaderboard with Ross Crowe (Blyth) and Will Robson (Close House) after 18 holes – with all three players posting one under-par scores of 69. At the first extra hole, Graeme made a birdie to win.
The top 16 players in the points race then faced off in the Matchplay Championship at Slaley Hall. As Jonathan secured the order of merit by reaching the quarter-finals, David lifted the trophy after beating Alex Buchanan (Slaley Hall) 4&3 in the final, with George Cowan and Michael Skelton reaching the semi-finals.
To see the full Titleist Order of Merit click here.
