Pike picks up a maiden victory and it’s a near-miss for Dickens

Golf - East PGA and Women’s PGA Championship

Adam Pike of Brampton Park notched his maiden win on the PGA in England (East) schedule in the King’s Lynn Pro-Am. Pike (28), the former Elton Furze amateur star, could even afford a bogey at the last as he won by a shot from Tom Clements (Eaton).

Pike, who has just completed his first year as a PGA assistant, had shown his promise when tied-third in an Order of Merit event at Essendon last month.

And he provided further proof of his talent in North Norfolk with a fine three-under-par 69.

Pike birdied both of the par-fives, either side of the turn. He completed his mastery of the long holes at King’s Lynn with another gain at the 13th.

There was to be one more birdie at the short 16th before his solitary blip at the last.

He picked up a winner’s cheque for £620.

Stuart Brown of Thorpe Wood finished 18th after firing a seven-over 79. He got off toadreadfulstartdroppingno less than 10 shots on the first five holes.

But there was better news for Brown in tbe preceding event on the East PGA circuit - the BrookmansParkPro-Am at Hatfield.

Heclaimedsecondplacein that one with a two-under par 69 - one shot behind tournament winner Mark Talbott of Thorpe Hall Golf Club.

Pike was eighth in this one with a 70.

Brown received a prize of £590andPikewasinthemoney again with £220.

Meanwhiletherewasabest performanceoftheseasonfor SuzanneDickensontheWomen’s PGA circuit last week.

The Thorpe Wood profes- sional came within a whisker of snatching victory in the big £6,000 Titleist & FootJoy Women’s PGA Championship at Frilford Heath Golf Club.

She was involved in a dingdongbattlewithHeatherMac- Rae from Archerfield Links before narrowly missing out on victory and a first prize of £1,000.

MacRae won with t wo rounds of 69 and Dickens was edged out on countback with her scores of 66 and 72.

Dickens, who picked up £800 for her efforts, topped the leaderboard after a sparkling first round which included seven birdies. Izzy Haughton fired a superb net 68 to win the ladies midweek medal at Greetham Valley.

Her round i ncluded nothing worse than a double bogey and a strong finish on the last four holes.

Second was Annie McCulloch with a net 71 while Liz Haughton took third place with a net 73 after hitting four birdies and two double bogeys.

Adam Pike won his first East PGA tournament at King’s Lynn.