A week after his first victory of 2018 at Knole Park, Richings Park’s Chris Rodgers shot a course record equalling seven-under-par 64 to win the West Surrey Pro-Am.
Taking home the winner’s cheque for £1,000, Rodgers was delighted with his second win in a week, commenting: “Winning a week ago at Knole Park gave me a boost, but it really came good around West Surrey. It was in perfect condition, the greens were absolutely magnificent, and I had a great team to spend the day with, so it couldn’t have been better as far as I was concerned! ”
Opening with a birdie, Rodgers made four more and an eagle on his way to his impressive 64, with three birdies in the last four holes to finish three strokes ahead of his nearest rival James Johnson (Bramley).
Johnson’s hole in one on the second was spoiled by two successive bogeys, but four more birdies and no more dropped shots put him in second spot on his own. Johnson’s total number of shots for the four par-3s at West Surrey was just seven shots: three deuces plus the ace!
A unique feature of the West Surrey Pro-Am is the Lanson Shoot Out. With the top three scores qualifying to hit three balls from 180 yards to the 18th pin, it was Johnson who took the top spot for a £500 cheque and a magnum of champagne.
In the team event, the now team specialist David Copsey once again inspired his amateurs to victory, this time by one stroke from the teams of Rodgers and Royal Winchester’s Alasdair Hay.