Wallis conquers Mid Kent
03/06/2017
Canterbury’s Richard Wallis has shot the lights out with a nine-under-par 61* to win the Mid Kent Pro-Am, grabbing a grand and setting the new professional course record.
The former four time winner of the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit outclassed the rest of the strong field, with his nearest rival, Richings Park’s Chris Rodgers delivering a handsome six-under-par 64, only to finish three shots off the mark and a cheque for £850.
Wallis was naturally delighted with his flawless performance, but explained it was simply because the putts were going in: “My golf through the green’s pretty good, but my putting’s been terrible.
"So I spent a couple of weeks working on it, and came to Mid Kent hoping for a better score than my last seven attempts – it’s very much my bogey course!"
Wallis commented: “I played much the same as usual, regulation for 16 greens, but the putts, especially the 10 to 15 footers, were dropping. I had four unmissable ones, four in that mid-range and a couple of two putt birdies, plus a very handy eagle on the fifth.
"My course management was good, and at Mid Kent it’s all about keeping it in business, as it’s narrow and easy to get out of shape. I used the driver just three times."
Eight-under after 11 holes, Wallis sensed that a hot round was possible, but the hardest holes were coming up. He stayed in business and made solid pars, a two putt birdie on the long par five 17th and a 20 footer birdie putt on the 18th just came up short for his fabulous record 61, edging out Pentland Golf’s Benn Barham’s 62 from 2015.
Besides his forays in professional events, Wallis is busy bringing up a new family and building – literally – his coaching business at Canterbury, as his new teaching studio at the club’s range will be finished this week.
As he comments: "It’s spacious, soundproofed and has a putting section at one end. It’s fully backed by Ping with all the latest technology, so it’ll make a terrific teaching studio."
