Paxman birdies to win in Turkey

NEIL Paxman won this year’s Examiner Overseas Golf competition as Meltham members maintained their stranglehold on the Lockwood Trophy in Turkey.

The 69-year-old put together three terrific rounds over three different courses to register a Stableford score of 107 points, five ahead of fellow Meltham member Chris Hutchings, who finished runner-up for the second time in three years.

In the opening round of the 54-hole event at the Titanic course, Paxman, playing off a handicap of 10, scored 36 to finish one behind early leader Mark Emmett of Woodhall Hills, with John Stancliffe, also from Meltham, third.

The second round was staged at the Nobilis course where another Woodhall member, John Morse, carded 36 ahead of Roy Johnson from Meltham, with 34 points, matched by Paxman and Fixby’s Nick Wilson. Woodhall’s Tracey Hughes staked her claim for honours with an excellent return of 31 points.

Paxman stunned his rivals on the final day at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course, which only three days earlier had been the scene of Tyrrell Hatton’s victory in the Turkish Open.

Paxman birdied both the 16th and the tricky 18th (the latter for a nett eagle) to claim the title.

Hutchings’ 35 points was enough to steal second spot from Emmett, both with a 102-point tally, while Hughes sealed the leading lady prize, finishing with a final round of 30 to give her an overall tally of 86 points.

In the Team Stableford at the Kaya GC, a team led by Wilson won, but both his side, which included Meltham’s Tim Hirst and Woodhall Hills duo George Robinson and Sylvia Davies, came home with 93 points. That was matched by the team of Mike Illingworth (Crosland Heath), Glen Paxman (Woodsome Hall), and John Hughes and Jo Healey (both Woodhall) but they had to settle for runners-up after a poorer back nine.

The Fourball Betterball brought some consolation for Emmett, whose all-Woodhall pairing with Sue Morse totalled 42 points to win with a three-point margin over Neil Paxman and Danny Britton (Headley).

Team of the Week was won by Paxman, Britton, Tommy Ward (Longley Park) and Maureen Craven (Bingley St Ives), the latter also winning the Second Division Trophy for the leading total in the 20 handicap and above category.

THE Annual Outlane Golf Club Sport Quiz is on Wednesday, November 27, at 7.30pm, an evening of sporting questions with a pie and peas supper and also a chance to get your entry fee back. It’s £20 per four-person team.

To book your table contact Bob Hazelden on 01484 655097.