Ablett shoots five birdies and an eagle to win JSP Construction Industry Charity Pro-Am, raising vital funds for the Lighthouse Club Charity
Lee-on-The-Solent’s star lefthander James Ablett shot a sizzling seven-under-par 65* around Foxhills’ Longcross course to win the JSP Construction Industry Charity Pro-Am.
Ablett was delighted with his early season form, commenting: “It’s a great format for charity Pro-Ams, because we’re there to help lift the profile of the whole event and raise as much as possible for the Lighthouse Benevolent Fund. So naturally we want to shoot the lights out, inspire our amateurs to play some great golf and make sure everyone has a day to remember.”
Starting at the first in a shotgun start and playing ‘par is your friend’ as the format, Ablett’s task was to go for as many birdies and eagles as possible. He duly did just that, reeling off three birdies on the front nine, another on the 14th and then an eagle at the 15th to head into the lead.
His birdie on the 18th secured not only a two stroke victory over Barnehurst’s Jordan Godwin and Leatherhead’s Michael Lowe, but a handy winner’s cheque for £550 as well. The Pro-Am again used the VPAR** electronic scoring system with live leader boards around the course to encourage lots of low scoring, duly delivered by a strong field.
In the team event, the magnificent support of the many companies in the construction industry led to a five ball format, with teams formed by a PGA Professional accompanied by four amateurs. With the two best Stableford scores counting, the result was a tie on 95 points*** between the Area Square team led by David Copsey (DCGS Poult Wood) and the Canary Wharf Contractors led by Foxhills’ own Paul Creamer, with Area Square winning on a countback.
Ablett summarised: “It’s early in the season but everything worked pretty well swing-wise, most of the putts dropped, and the birdie on the final hole crowned a good day at the office. The Lighthouse is a great cause, and full marks to the players that topped the team event.”
The Lighthouse Club Charity’s Benevolent Fund**** is the only charity that provides financial and emotional support to the construction community and their families who have suffered an injury or long term illness or simply need a helping hand.
Relying entirely on the generosity of those within the industry to help the charity continue its vital work, it not only helps thousands of construction workers every year, but is supporting safety initiatives aimed at avoiding accidents and improving safety on construction sites. There are on average 40 fatalities every year and over 2,000 major injuries, so continued support through events like the JSP Construction Industry Charity Pro-Am is vital.
Foxhills is hosting some more top golfing action later in the year: Great Britain & Ireland’s eagerly anticipated PGA Cup clash with the United States, the 28th contest in the series played over three days in a Ryder Cup-style format from September 15-17.