Lefty lifts Stoneham’s weighty prize
21/07/2017
A stunning seven-under par 65 saw Lee-on-the-Solent's James Ablett claim his fourth win in as many weeks at the Stoneham Pro-Am in Hampshire.
Despite strong winds, the former South Region number one pushed the impressive five-under-par cards of 67 of early leaders Adam Wootton (Oxford Golf Centre) and Chris Gane (Left Handed Golf at Silvermere) into the runners-up spot.
It allowed Ablett to win the £1,500 top prize while Wootton and Gane went home with handsome cheques of £800.
Ablett’s explanation for a great seam of form in July was simple: “Put in the practice!
"To be fair, I’ve also been kept on the straight and narrow with some top class coaching, but as we all know it’s the hours and hours of practice that grounds all that guidance into a swing I can trust every time.
“The overnight rain made the greens nice targets to aim at. My short game’s sharper too, but again, that’s down to plenty of practice.”
Ablett started well and birdied both the first and third before picking up an eagle on the sixth. He dropped a shot at the ninth which left him turning three-under. After pars through the next three holes Ablett found top gear again birdieing the 13th and 14th.
The onset of rain and a dropped shot on the 15th didn’t put the left handed star off his appetite, as he deuced the 16th and birdied the final two holes to finish on 33 back, making a magical 65 shots to grab the day’s top spot.
Not unsurprisingly, Ablett also led his Ridon Joinery team to a similarly handsome victory, this time by five more than their nearest rivals led by Ryan Fitzgerald from Burgess Hill.
Ablett’s earnings at Stoneham bumped him into an interesting three way group at the top of the PGA South Money List with ProAgenda.com’s Guy Woodman and Canterbury’s Richard Wallis, but with plenty of events left, the season’s heading towards a vintage scrap for pole position.
Ablett added: “Stoneham’s now in really great condition after all the hard work the club and greenkeeping team have put in to restoring the heathland challenge, and it’s always a great day out thanks to the efforts of GM (and PGA Professional), Richard Arnold, and PGA Head Professional, Ian Young.
"But playing well and holing a few decent putts always makes things taste that much better, doesn’t it!”
The next major event in the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit is the PGA Surrey Open Championship at the home of The PGA in England (South) and The PGA in Surrey at Clandon Regis Golf Club on July 27th and 28th.
For a full list of score from the Stoneham Pro-Am event click here.
