Watson, Gill and Frayne in form at Burnham
08/08/2017
Michael Watson, Chris Gill and Adam Frayne warmed up for the main event with outstanding returns of five-under-par 66 to share top spot in the pro-am that preceded the West Region Championship at Burnham and Berrow.
All three are contesting the Order of Merit and went into Tuesday's first round full of confidence following their birdie barrage in a slight wind and occasional light drizzle.
Watson of Wessex Golf Centre was out in two under with birdies at the fourth and eighth and added four more on the way home, dropping his only shot at the par three 14th.
Yelverton's Frayne produced more of a mixed bag with three bogeys, six birdies and an eagle three at the eighth. Gill, from Newquay Golf Club, was only level after nine but cut loose on the return with five birdies in a back nine of 30.
This was matched by former European Tour winner John Bickerton (Minehead and West Somerset) and James Lee (Lansdown) who shared fourth one shot behind. Greg Davies (South Cerney) and Scott Drummond were a shot further back.
Bickerton claimed the team prize on 91 helped by home players Martin Stephens and Richard Streeter and Weston-super-Mare’s Colin Singleton.
Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) piloted David Glew, John Brown and Wayne Black into second on 90 with Gill, Clive Bicknell, Nigel Dunston and Bert Harper third on 88, beating Watson and Kristian Mowatt (Saunton) on countback.
