Belsham storms to victory at Deal

Mark Belsham overcame gale-force winds to power his way to a one-shot victory in the Christmas Fayre at Royal Cinque Ports Deal.

The Prince’s man was rewarded with a winner’s cheque for £555 following a solid five-over-par round of 76 that pushed this year’s Senior PGA Professional champion Wraith Grant (Woodcote Park) into second place with a 77. PGA Kent Open champion Matt Ford shot 79 for third.

“The conditions were absolutely brutal,” explained European Senior Tour player Grant.

“Holes that were no more than 370 yards long needed a driver off the tee followed by another driver to get anywhere near the green.”

Assuming fairer conditions, some of the pin positions caused rather more entertainment than bargained for. With the hole cut on the top of a severe slope, the 11^th saw three, four and even five putts in a couple of cases from players trying to negotiate the hole.

Having succeeded in reaching the hole placed on the brow, the wind was simply blowing their balls back down the slope some fifteen feet away.

“Apart from the wind, the course was in great shape,” said Belsham. “I have to say the greens were fantastic, for anytime of the year not just because it’s winter now. It’s just a shame that the wind was so strong.”

Starting at the 10^th, Belsham dropped four shots in quick succession from the 11^th to be out in four-over-par. Things went from bad to worse with a bogey and a double bogey on the second and third, and although there was one more bogey on the sixth, the European Tour Player made three more terrific birdies on the fifth, seventh and ninth to shoot 76 and claim victory.

“I really enjoyed my last hole,” said Belsham “I hit a driver then another driver to ten feet and holing the putt.

“Winning here was a great way to set me up for the European Senior Tour Qualifying at the Pestana Resort’s Pinta course in January. After poor health last year I’m in much better shape now and really looking forward to trying to get my card back.”