Levermore sparkles with sizzling 65

Jason Levermore dazzled as some ideal golfing weather and a course in excellent condition led to some spectacular scores in the Weston Homes plc/East Herts pro-am at Hamels Park.

The Channels Golf Club head pro, last year’s Virgin Atlantic Order of Merit winner, took top prize with a round of six under par 65.

He was level par to the turn when opportunities were limited, but reeled off six birdies in his final nine holes.

Joint runners-up were James Scade of Little Channels and Barrie Trainor of Old Joe’s Golf Range. Scade had an eagle at the par-five 17^th to lift him up the leader board while Trainor had five birdies and no dropped shots.

Stuart Brown (Orton Meadows) was the other player to enjoy an unblemished round but he had only four birdies so had to settle for joint fourth place with Jason Boast (Cambridge Golf Driving Range) who had six birdies after an early setback with a double at the third hole.

Four players signed for three under par. They were Nick Pateman (Pinner Hill) who was first round leader in the preceding order of merit event, George Howard of Brampton Park, Noel Quinn of Whipsnade Park and Daniel Poulter of Kartel Golf.

Eighteen professionals broke par in a field of 48. Another six were level par.

A highlight was a hole in one at the 151-yard second by former East Herts assistant Chris Hattersley. His nine-iron tee shot pitched a yard behind the hole and spun back.

The winning team was led by Daniel Coughlan of Wyke Green. He and amateurs Tommy Ullah, Shaun Parfitt and Liam Parfitt came in with 22 under par 120.  Second place at 18 under par went to Scade, Martyn Foster, Chris Foster and Richard Foster. Third place was taken by Brown, Jason Haigh, Ian Smith and Jason Cox with 16 under par.