Hillamsland Trophy: Lee James Broadstone GC
Another year and the weather was again good to us whilst cloudy and cool in the morning the sun shone for round two as things got hotter on the course. The course was in excellent condition and our thanks to all at Dudsbury for presenting us with such a great playing facility. The only slight disappointment was the entry which was down on previous years by some 15 plus players?
So this year we saw the return of Lee James to the amateur ranks so could he add to his four wins as a professional?
The first round saw good golf played by some with a few finding the going tough. One happy chap was Dudsbury player Harry Cribb who shot level par which was helped by a hole in one at the fifteenth. Weymouth’s Sean Dimmick had a great morning with a 3 under par total of 68 which included some 6 birdies to take the clubhouse lead. Mike Watson was two behind on 70 as was Luke Hirst from Dudsbury who also had 70. Lee James came in also with 68 having had some 6 birdies in his morning round to tie the lead with Sean. Defending Champion Andy Rideout was some 5 back having shot one over 72.
For First Round scores click here
The scoring was better for some in the afternoon John Bevan clawed his way up the leader board with a fine 68 and a 144 total which was equalled by Andy Rideout who had another one over 72. Sean who was joint leader after the morning round struggled in the afternoon to find the birdies and you could see his disappointment with his 76 putting on 144 tied with Andy and Jon. Matt Sandy from Sherborne found his touch in the afternoon to have a two under 69 moving him up the field to seventh place. Luke Hirst had another fine one under 70 to take the clubhouse lead on 140. This was short lived as Mike Watson had a fine 69 to give him a 139 total and the clubhouse lead. Speculation was we might have a play off as Lee appeared to be struggling but it wasn’t to be as he came home one under on 70 to give him a total of 138 and the Championship by one shot from Mike Watson.
So Lee had managed to take the Dorset Open in his first outing as a Amateur it is only the third time the event has been one by an Amateur but that in the main was down to Lee’s dominance as a professional. He also lifted the Hillamsland Trophy for the first time.
For second round scores click here
For the Two Round Total click here
I wish to thank all the players who took part and special thanks once again to Dudsbury Golf Club for hosting the event.