Davis ace clinches it

Chase Davis, the former Norfolk county amateur and Stapleford Abbotts assistant, had a hole in one at the 157-yard 18^th at Chelmsford with a seven-iron to win the individual prize at the Essex Open pro-am sponsored by Burts Potato Crisps.

It was the fourth ace of his career the others all coming while he was still an amateur.

Davis’s dramatic finish to his round of two under par 66 enabled him to turn the tables on Lloyd Kennedy, winner of the Essex Open the previous day, who shared second place with Steve Hambling of Braintree with a score of 67.

“It was a great couple of days and I hope I can maintain my form in the first order of merit event at Royal Cromer on May 29 and 30," said Davis. 

"I love Cromer and will be nice to be back in Norfolk.”

Davis, who had ended one shot behind Kennedy in the PGA Essex Open, added: “My lessons with Steve Cardy at Little Channels have been going well. I had my first albatross at the third hole at Stapleford Abbotts earlier this month with a three-wood measured at 253-yards.”

Craig Housden of Channels Golf Club, a regular on the PGA Europro Tour, was fifth with a round of 69.

Davis also brought home the winning team of Chelmsford members Peter Cumberworth, Keith Dicker and guest Michael Theobald on count back on which the hole in one proved crucial. Also on 11 under par were teams with Chris Cutchie (Colchester) and Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall).