SCOTS 1-2 AT FOXHILLS GOLF RESORT

Ken Hutton: Tremendous finish to win. Picture  by courtesy of the PGA

KEN HUTTON WINS £5,250 PRIZE AS 

SENIOR PGA CHAMPION

Dundee’s Kenny Hutton saved the best to last to clinch a dramatic one-stroke victory in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Foxhills Resort in Surrey.
The Downfield-based pro, who hails from Muir of Ord, north of Inverness, holed a clutch putt for birdie on 16, chipped in for another birdie on the par three 17th and then splashed out a 75 foot bunker shot at the last to two-and-a-half feet for par to pip fellow Scot, Albert MacKenzie, originally from Lossiemouth, and claim the Bernard Hunt Memorial Trophy plus a cheque for £5,250.
It meant heartbreak for Saunton pro MacKenzie who had surged to four under through eight holes only to bogey three of the last four holes including the last when he missed a five footer for par.
Hutton, who has relinquished day to day duties at his Dundee club for an advisory role, ended the 54-hole tournament at two under par but walked off the course thinking he was in a play-off.
The 50 year old Scottish PGA captain heralded the achievement as the biggest of his career and hopes it can be a springboard to further playing success.
“I don’t think I’ve played three better closing holes in my life including definitely the bunker shot of my career when you consider what was at stake,” said Hutton who earned a place in next month’s ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland.
“For me this is massive. I’ve done okay in Scotland but I’ve never even won an order of merit on the Tartan Tour.
“To win something as huge as this, this is the pinnacle for club pros over 50.
“Hopefully it could be a springboard and build my confidence. Half my problem has been people say I should be doing better and I’m probably the only one who doesn’t believe it. Something like this might just kick me off.”
Despite his disappointing finish, MacKenzie was generous in his praise for Hutton while also taking some positives out of his own performance too.
“I played absolutely fantastic to be four under through eight holes and then three putted nine and ten,” said the Devon-based pro.
“I made an awful bogey at 15, my tee shot hit the trees but the thing I’m pleased with is that at 16, 17 and 18 I hit five good golf shots. Unfortunately there were a couple of three putts that punished the good shots and unfortunately that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
“I felt as comfortable as you can expect to do coming into the home stretch. I’m a great friend of Kenny’s and as disappointed as I am not to win I think his bunker shot to get up and down at 18 is the sign of a worthy champion so I congratulate him.
“I thought I’d shed the bridesmaid’s tag today but we’ll regroup and I’m thrilled to be going to the PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland. I just feel today this was the one that got away.”
Glyn Davies (Glyn Davies Golf), Stephen McNally (Sunderland Golf Centre), Bernard White (Sutton Green) and Gary Emerson (Remedy Oak) tied third at level par and along with the top 20 all qualify for the PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland.
 

Fraser Mann, now attached to Carnoustie Golf Club, finished seventh on 220 and earned £1,275. His scores were 75, 74 and 71.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 218 (2x73, 1x72)
216 Ken Hutton (Downfield) 70 73 73 (£5,250)
217 Albert MacKenzie (Saunton) 71 74 72 (£3,850)
219 Glyn Davies (Wal) 74 73 72, Stephen McNally (Eng) 74 73 72, Gary Emerson (Eng) 74 70 75  (£2,125 each)
OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
220 Fraser Mann (Carnoustie) 75 74 71 (T7) (£1,275)
227 Martin Gray (unatt) 80 72 75 (T29) £313))
228 Stephen McAllister (S McAllister Golf) 79 72 77 (T33)  (£287)
229 Stephen Craig (Craig Golf) 76 75 78 (T39) (£265).