Fatherhood obviously suits Cameron Clark. The Moor Hall pro claimed victory in the Brabazon Pro-Am yesterday to move to the top of the Titleist Winter Series Order of Merit.
With his first child Ewan only weeks old, Clark showed no obvious signs of the usual afflictions that beset new dads - sleepless nights being among the worst - as he fired a one-under-par 71 to take victory.
Clark, who has a busy year ahead of him when he assumes the Midland Region captaincy from his brother Finlay in March, was the only player to break par on a bright but wintry day at The Belfry.
He finished two shots clear of Shaun Smith, the Cotgrave Place pro, and five shots ahead of Steve Carter (South Staffordshire) and Tim Stevens (Kedleston Park).
Despite the course playing long on a cold day and with some testing pin positions, Clark got into his swing quickly. Although he dropped a shot on his second hole, two birdies at four and five steadied the ship and he scored par for his remaining 13 holes.
Victory takes him to top of the winter OOM after his runner's-up spot at Little Aston last month. He now sits just half a point ahead of Matthew Morris, of Walmley, with Stevens and Adrian Ambler, of Walton Heath, joint third in the overall table.
Old hands Darren Prosser and Paul Wesselingh, neither of whom threatened the lead on the Brabazon, lie fifth and sixth respectively.
The chill bit hard as Smith carded three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey on his way to a 73 - one over the mark.
Carter carded a brace of birdies but it was the six bogeys which really stood out on his card while Stevens signed for a pair each of birdies, bogeys and double-bogeys on their way to four-over-par 76s.
Morris, who described his round as "up and down at best" joined James Whatley (East Midlands Golf Academy) and Andrew Cheese (Sutton Coldfield) on five over par to tie fifth.
27 January, 2010