Mark Pitcher Wins Sprint Opener
Mark Pitcher (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)
Mark Pitcher won his first West tournament by scoring two-under-par 68 for a one-shot success in the opening Titleist and Footjoy Sprint Series event at Radyr.
The second year Stinchcombe Hill assistant from Dursley, a late entrant to the professional ranks following a successful amateur career at the Gloucestershire club, won his first professional tournament in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA Summer Series at Filton last year.
He made birdies at the second, eighth, 12th and 16th, dropping shots at the third and 15th in halves of 35 and 33.
This nudged him past two early starters from Wales who shared second. Rhys Pugh (Glamorganshire) birdied the fifth and sixth holes while regular winner Craig Melding (Neath), the South Wales order of merit champion this winter, dropped four shots but made five birdies in an adventurous round.
Josh Mayo (Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf) was another early Welshman and posted 70 to share fourth with talented Cornishman Adam Curtis (Bude & North Cornwall).
Jessica Bradley (Tiverton), who has been playing on the Ladies European Tour, newcomer Scott Curtis (Newport) and the promising left-hander Greg Davies (South Cerney) followed on 71.
Last year’s order of merit champion Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) could only finish in a six-way tie for tenth alongside another notable James Ruth (China Fleet).
The next stop for the five-leg Series which aims to give assistants and young professionals under 30 greater playing opportunities is at Weston-super-Mare onThursday.
