Raitt wins Westcoast wedge

Andy Raitt (St. George’s Hill) is £10,000 better off after his winning 65 at the Westcoast Pro-Am at Bearwood Lakes.

Raitt’s victory here takes his total to five wins so far including the PGA Southern Open Championship at Dale Hill. The attraction of the Westcoast pay day and the golfing experience of Bearwood Lakes means the competition is fierce with a field of 51 teams, making it the highlight of The PGA in England (South)’s schedule.

Having won this title for the last two years, ProAgenda.com’s Guy Woodman put up a terrific defence, notching up six birdies by the 11th to be in sight of the winner’s podium once more. Two bogeys at the 14th and 15th took the shine off things but with one more birdie at the 17th he carded a five-under-par 67 to take home £2,500.

Raitt’s own performance pipped that by two. Starting from the 10th, he was out in 4-under with an eagle 3 at the 16th, and then three more birdies on the way in allowed him to grab the lead and finish with 65.

James Heath was the early leader in the clubhouse on 68, but had to watch as first Woodman edged him by a stroke, and then Raitt pushed him into third place, albeit for £1,250.

The team event saw former Bearwood Lakes managing director Carl Rutherford, who has recently moved down to Cornwall and The Point at Polzeath, lead the team of Bearwood Lakes chairman Gary Holloway and pip their nearest rivals led by Lee Mackie (Horton Park), whose team included former England footballer Glen Johnson.

Bearwood Lakes Director of Golf, Jon Dry, commented, “Thanks to the support of Westcoast, Tag Heuer, Mizuno, The PGA and all the players, this one is THE Pro-Am on the PGA South schedule. It’s always a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Bearwood Lakes, and from the feedback I can say that everyone enjoyed one the year’s best days.”

Already at the top of the leaderboard for the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit, Raitt now dominates The PGA in England South Money List as well, although the evergreen Woodman isn’t too far behind either.