Sunny Birstall sets the standard

Reigning PGA Midlands Order of Merit champion Matthew Cort carried on where he left off in 2013.

After a string of victories last year, the Leicestershire ace (above) warmed up in style for this week's BMW PGA Championship by topping the leaderboard at the region's first summer event, the Mark Group Charity pro-am at Birstall.

Cort, who didn't have far to travel from his home club Rothley Park, didn't quite have it all his own way though as Scott Emery from Woodhall Spa matched his five-under-par 65 to split the winner’s cheque.

The event, played in bright sunshine was a well supported season opener with 41 teams taking to the Leicestershire fairways, so well supported, that Cort felt prior to his round that he might have a problem.

He said:“With a tee off time at 1.40 I thought the greens might be a little bumpy later on and I might struggle a little but the course was in great shape and they held up really well. It was really satisfying to finish with two birdies when I needed them.”

Emery also finished strongly with birdies at 16 and 17, enough to join Cort and edge out third placed Brian Rimmer (Little Aston), whose four-under 66 included an eagle at the final hole.

In the team event, new Glen Gorse pro Richard Reed led his players to a resounding eight shot win over the rest of the field.

Cort, who travels to Surrey in good form was full of praise for the sponsors of the event. He added:“ Kath Cottingham from the Mark Group is also a member at Birstall and works so hard to organise the event, along with The Midland Open which is also held here. The pros always find it an enjoyable venue to play at.”