Groves back in the groove

Elliot Groves overcame a stamina-sapping schedule to win the Be Wiser Insurance PGA in Hampshire Match Play final, writes Ken Gaunt. The PGA Assistant Professional at the Ampfield Par 3 course, who has a liking for knock-out competition, defeated Tournerbury’s Ben Wall 3 & 2 at Hockley.

Groves, who won the Assistants and Trainees Match Play Championship last month, could not hide his delight at overcoming a strong field over the course of three days. After finishing second in the qualifier, Groves beat Martin Adams, Steve Hunter and Adam Hickling, before disposing of Wall.

Groves said: “It was brilliant to win the event as I was knocked out out last season and to be honest it hurt. I am good at match play and should be competing for prizes. This has to be for me one of the best tournaments on the circuit.”

“It was tough coming up against Martin, Adam and Ben, who are all high up in the Order of Merit, while Steven has a lot of experience. When you could be playing 90 holes over three days that is a challenge in itself and none of my matches were easy.”

Groves is pleased with his progress this season on the PGA in Hampshire circuit, winning the Southampton Rotary AM and Cams Hall Pro-Ams and tying first at Rowlands Castle. He also finished third in the PGA Assistants Championship after finishing in a similar spot in the PGA South Assistants and Trainees Championship.