Rhys Enoch is “Chipper” After First Professional Win

The very talented young Welshman, Rhys Enoch, won his first professional tournament yesterday over the demanding Bowood Golf and Country Club Championship layout with a dramatic chip in on the last for a birdie three.

However it was not an easy debut win for Enoch who started the final day some 3 shots behind the first round leader David Salisbury who shot a very impressive 6 under par 66 to race into the lead after the first day. Salisbury's 66 included 7 birdies and just one solitary bogey.

Tucked in close to Enoch were Will Johnson and Adam Runcie who both scored 2 under par 70's to head the chasing pack, with local hero Sam Matton and Luke Joy, who both shot 1 one under par 71's close behind.

Both the leading pair started poorly on the opening hole of the second round with Salisbury scoring a bogey and Enoch having to swallow a double after hitting his opening tee shot out of bounds.

Whilst Salisbury continued to struggle through the first nine holes with further bogeys at the sixth and seventh holes to drop back to 3 under, young Enoch immediately went on the offensive, extracting 5 birdies and just one bogey to reach the turn on 5 under and in the lead by two shots.

As the back nine wore on and Enoch, who was now back to 4 under the card thanks to a bogey on the tenth, still held a fairly comfortable 2 shot lead until Luke Joy emerged as a challenger getting to within one shot of the lead with birdies at the twelfth and thirteenth.

Enoch continued to par in and on reaching the last hole knew that he only had to par it to win. Easier said than done when you are looking for your first professional victory!

A little to aggressive with his second into the eighteenth Enoch was faced with a very delicate chip that he had to get close to ensure his par.

After some serious contemplation he played the most delicate of chips and the ball tracked it's way unerringly into the cup for a stunning birdie 3 and a first victory that brought him a cheque for £2,500.

Joy's slight disappointment at not at least getting into a play-off was soon forgotten when he saw his reward of £1,500 plus his Super 7 bonus of £2,000 for being the leading qualified player.

David Salisbury also managed a smile when he found out that he had shared third place with Mark Laskey. Each of them getting £850 for their efforts and then the bonus of sharing the second and third prize in the Super 7, winning them an extra £750 each.

Jay, the head green keeper from "down under", has done a magnificent job at Bowood getting the course in immaculate condition for the players and it was a joy to behold in the bright sunshine that we were treated to, for a change!

We would certainly recommend Bowood as a course to play either as an individual or a corporate society as you will be well looked after on the course and afterwards in the clubhouse.

Off to Woodcote Park next week and that will be a Tuesday / Wednesday tournament not our usual Monday / Tuesday so please remember that when you enter.