Hunt Bursts Back To Form To Win Cotswold Hills Pro-Am
Toby Hunt
Toby Hunt burst back into form with an outstanding seven-under-par 65 to win the Cotswold Hills pro-am on a day of low scoring in immaculate conditions in Gloucestershire.
The St Mellons teaching professional, who plays on the Mena Tour in Dubai during the winter, collected five of his seven birdies on the easier back nine as one of several players who did not drop a shot.
Former European Seniors Tour winner George Ryall (Worlebury) was one of them, making four on the way home. He was second for several hours until he was joined by Daniel Whitby-Smith (Whittington Heath), visiting with his team from the Midlands and teeing off in the 42nd and final group.
He also made seven birdies but started with a bogey at the first. He carded the best back nine of the day with six birdies.
Hunt produced the form he showed in finishing runner-up in last season’s Welsh National Championship and during his early days as a professional when he won two Assistants titles and featured strongly in Order of Merit events.
Veteran Ryall continues to mature and his consistency was again evident with his six birdies and faultless ball striking.
Three young guns claimed third on 68, among them Order of Merit champion Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) who is getting into his stride once more. After an opening bogey he eagled the seventh and 16th.
Dan Carter (Upavon) and Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court), who has made a spectacular start to the season, also tied third. Half the field bettered or matched par.
Left-hander Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) is another senior player with class. He shrugged off a wretched start with five birdies in the final ten holes. This helped his trio of Murray Sowerbutts, Bill Bingham and David Griffiths finish on 17-under-par 127 and top the team section.
They were joined on the same score by Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) with Steve Rigby, Jordan Moore and Ben Comley and late starter Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) accompanied by Julian Sutton, Colin Gibson and Roger Downes.
Scores: 65 Toby Hunt St Mellons £900, 66 George Ryall Worlebury, Daniel Whitby-Smith Whittington Heath £625 each, 68 Ashley Mansell Clevedon , Dan Carter Upavon, Ross Langdon Brickhampton Court £401 each, 69 Giuseppe Licata Chipping Sodbury, Edward Goodwin Cirencester, Lee Thompson Dudsbury, Michael Watson Wessex Golf Centre, Sion Bebb Morlais Castle, Nick Haile Minchinhampton New , Paul Hendriksen Ivybridge, £230 each, 70 Stuart Little Minchinhampton New £160, 71 Joe Stevens Gloucester Golf Centre, Lee Corfield Burnham & Berrow, Jon Bevan Sherborne,Adam Curtis Bude & N. Cornwall, £135 each, 72 Nick Ramshaw Bristol & Clifton, Tom Motley South Cerney , Craig Melding Neath, Richard O’Hanlon St Kew , £82 each.
