Laurie wins at a Canter

Laurie Canter claimed a second victory at The Kendleshire in two years to win his first Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal of the season.

The Saltford touring professional shot five-under-par 66 and, as the only player to break par in tricky conditions, finished five shots ahead of Bath assistant James Hannam and Enmore Park’s David Dixon.

Despite heavy overnight rain the course was in very good condition but a blustery wind made conditions difficult.

Canter, who heads to the second stage of European Tour qualifying school in Spain next month, played in the final group. He opened with birdie and added gains at the fifth and eighth to turn in 33.

Another birdie at the tenth and two more at the 13th and 16th were countered by his sole bogey at the long par four 15th. He also took the birdie sweep with six.

Dixon recovered from a poor start when he dropped two shots after four holes. Back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th boosted his round. 

Hannam, competing in his first medal as a pro after previously taking part as an amateur, carded four birdies and dropped four shots.

But his bonus was claiming the maximum Total Triumph Order of Merit points on offer as both Canter and Dixon are ineligible.

Globetrotting Paul Barrington returned from a weekend entertaining guests with his trick shots at the Macau Open to show he hadn’t forgotten the best way around The Kendleshire. The club’s inaugural professional returned 72 in fourth place and he was also the leading over 40’s player.

Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre), Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), Mark Luckett (Wheathill) and Shane Kaye (Burnham & Berrow) were fifth on 73, two ahead of Nick Ellis (Naunton Downs) and David Haines (Brean).