Hampshire’s stars set for Master class

The leading players on the PGA in Hants circuit this season will be hoping to give a Master class this Thursday at Corhampton, writes Ken Gaunt.

The leading trio in the PGA in Hants Order of Merit – Stoneham’s Adam Hickling, Swanmore’s Martin Adams and Lee-on-the-Solent’s Jon Barnes - are all set to play in the 36-hole Be Wiser Insurance PGA in Hants Masters.

The experienced Barnes has already won the Be Wiser Insurance PGA in Hants Open and will looking to add a second major to his impressive tally of trophies this season.

Hickling has been a model of consistency to date with four wins and many more top three placings, while the in form Adams finished tied first with Romsey’s Elliot Groves in the Southwood Pro-Am last week.

Groves too has form, currently lying fourth in the table after winning the PGA in Hampshire Short Course Championship and tying for second place in the Galvin Green PGA Assistants Championship.

Two other players to watch are Winchester Golf Academy’s Dan Seymour who showed his competitive streak by winning the Be Wiser Insurance Stroke Play Championship, and Brokenhurst Manor’s Kevin Saunders who finished ahead of the Hampshire pack last season, winning by one stroke from Barnes.

In his 25th year as a PGA Professional, Saunders will no doubt go into the event with confidence, especially as he is heading to Morocco in November in the PGA Pro-Captain Challenge after winning the South A regional qualifier with partner Richard Walker.

Also in the mix on Thursday is one of the region’s top players, Lee-on-the-Solent’s James Ablett, who added a new course record at West Hove recently on his way to his eighth victory of the season to date.

So it’s a strong field with much local pride at stake, and Corhampton will provide the ideal test to see which of the Hampshire stars comes out on top.

For more information about the Be Wiser Insurance PGA in Hants Masters event click here.