Lowe excels with nine-under-par 63

Michael Lowe (Leatherhead) fired an amazing nine-under-par 63 at Stoneham to win the penultimate Winter Series event, supported by Titleist and FootJoy.

Lowe’s flawless round included two eagles and five birdies, blowing away the five-under-par 67 of Paul Newman (East Berkshire) and the 68 of Stephen Mitchell to take the winner’s cheque.

Coming in at two-under-par, Mark Hillson (Tandridge) won the Titleist and FootJoy ball, glove and shoe contract as the leading assistant.

Hitting this kind of form was all the more surprising as Lowe hadn’t played for several weeks and nor had he seen the course before, as he explained: “I haven’t played since the last Winter Series event at the London GC, as I’ve been doing a lot of coaching. I’m a bit streaky, and although it’s unofficial due to being played under winter rules, this is my 14th course record!

“I haven’t played Stoneham before, and although I only hit a handful of shots before stepping on to the first tee, it’s a par five and a comfortable start. I got straight into the groove, drove really well and hit all the greens except one in regulation.

“I judged the second shots well, hit all the par threes to make pars and holed almost all the putts under 10 foot. I had one slightly lucky putt, a 30 footer on the sixth for an eagle to reach the turn in three-under.” Lowe’s two putt birdie on the par five 12th was followed by an eagle at the par four 13th after driving to within two feet of the pin, and then another two putt birdie at the par five 14th.”

Now seven-under-par with four holes to go, Lowe knew he had some more opportunities left.

“I’d missed a couple of eight footers earlier,” he said, “but I slotted another on the 17th to reach eight-under, and then made the par five 18th in two for a final two-putt birdie and 63.

“Stoneham was in great shape and the greens were excellent for the time of year, but it was a cold day that got significantly colder by the time we reached the 13th, so I was very pleased to finish well.”

With one event to go at Farnham (the Titleist & FootJoy A&T Better Ball Pro-Am on the 17th April), Lowe’s now eyeing up not only the 2012-2013 Winter Series title, but as the overall leading assistant he could win another cheque for £250, some custom MyJoy shoes and the latest Titleist driver.

Lowe’s looking forward to the challenge, adding: “My performance at Stoneham has given me a lot of confidence, and I feel my swing’s in good shape so another good score is definitely a possibility!”