Crabb ready to show his claws at Exeter

Aaron Crabb believes Somerset’s Cricket St Thomas Golf Club is on the up after new owners took over three years ago.

Crabb hopes he has timed his recovery from a five-month injury lay off just right as he prepares for the  Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship qualifying event which is being held at Exeter Golf & Country Club on July 3.

And the 22-year-old second year assistant professional says a return to the final would help raise the profile of the Chard-based club even further.

Local businessman Steve Hill took over the club in 2014.

Chard-based Crabb finished 23rd in last year's grand final held at Carden Park Golf Club when he partnered Kieron Fowler of Lyme Regis Golf Club.

But Cricket St Thomas assistant professional Crabb admitted his concerns over a wrist injury meant he could not be certain of taking part in this year’s competition.

So Fowler made his own plans and Crabbe entered with his club’s PGA professional Liam Clarke for the qualifier.

“Because we’ve got new ownership of the club, there’s a lot of money being spent improving the course and the clubhouse,” said Crabb.

“And it means Cricket St Thomas is on the up.

“We have new tees on the course, a new reception, new balconies and facilities for holding weddings, things like that.

“There’s £300,000 worth of new machinery for the greenkeepers. The owner’s a businessman, he knows what he’s doing. We’re busy all week.

“So me and Liam want to raise the profile of the club by getting to the final.”

Crabb and Clarke will be aiming to reach this year’s BMW-supported £33,250 final which will be held at Whittlebury Park Golf Club in Northamptonshire between August 16-18.

Fowler is playing alongside Harry Pallas of Wiltshire’s Upavon Golf Club.

But Crabb hopes to return to the final in what will be one his first competitive events this year.

“I was out for the first five months of this year with an injury so I couldn't commit myself to play with Kieron, I didn’t want him to miss out on the event,” said the Somerset second year assistant.

“I had a swollen tendon but thankfully I’ve recovered. I’ve been slowly getting back into it, and my first round back one of the best I’ve ever played. But I haven't played any PGA events yet, I didn’t want to risk it.”

Crabb admits he was delighted with last year’s display in the final and wants more.

“We were very pleased to finish where we did, especially as we were in our first year of PGA training,” he said.

“Getting into the top 25 was a bonus, we were happy to qualify in the first place.

“Cricket St Thomas has always been my local club and Liam made me a job offer which is great as I live just five minutes away.”