Manx glory for Welsh duo

SIMON Edwards won his second Manx Golf Classic title at Castletown but this time shared the glory with fellow Welshman Mark Sheppard.

Mark Sheppard, left, and Simon Edwards

The pair were deadlocked on seven-under-par for the three rounds but Sheppard, who is attached to Chester club Vicars Cross, blew a chance for outright victory when he dropped a shot on the penultimate hole.

His closing 69 included six birdies and three bogeys and his card also showed four threes on the spin from the 13th.

In contrast, overnight leader Edwards had a less exciting day as he ground out 16 pars and two birdies for a 70.

The 35-year-old professional from Wrexham club Clays, the leading player on the PGA North Region circuit last season, admitted it was all a bit of a struggle.

“I was never in the game because my distance control was all over the place but I managed to hang in there thanks to my putting. That got me out of trouble,” he said.

But Edwards, Manx winner in 2002 and a member of the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team which beat the United States at Dublin’s K Club last year, added that he was enjoying his golf more than ever.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself these days and I’m happy competing in regional events since giving up trying for a European Tour card.

“I’m too old, too short and not good enough for that,” quipped the player who, nevertheless, will be the man to beat for the rest of the campaign and who will defend the Leeds Cup at Cobble Hall in September.

Sheppard attributed his success to feeling comfortable in all three rounds, a 65 on the second day lifting him into contention.

“I’m always relaxed on the Isle of Man,” he said. “It’s that sort of place.

“The secret of playing this course is if you get safely through the knuckle, by that I mean the tough fifth hole, you should be in the right frame of mind to make birdie chances.”

Host club professional Michael Brooks shared third place a shot off the pace with his friend Mark Belsham from Kent club Stoneless after both closed with 68 in an event sponsored by Derry-based insolvency practitioners McCambridge Duffy.

Allyn Laing, the first round leader from Mount Murray who played at Castletown when he was an amateur, slumped to a 79 to tie 15th.

Winning team was Planet Zog with an out of this world 51-under-par.

DETAILS: 209 M Sheppard (Fore Golf) 75,65,69, S Edwards (Clays) 73,66,70; 210 M Brooks (Castletown) 74,66,70, M Belsham (Stonelees) 72,70,68; 212 P Eales (Royal Lytham) 74,70,68, P Jenkinson (Penrith DR) 75,68,69, N Sargent (Eastham Lodge) 74,67,71; 213 D Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 74,68,71; 214 N Price (Leasowe) 78,67,69, C Corrigan (Haigh Hall) 74,72,68; 215 J Harrison (Matfen Hall) 72,72,71, F Valenti (Pryors Hayes) 75,69,71, D Padgett (Pannal) 72,70,73.

Full scores from this event on north.region@pga.org.uk and click on tournament schedule link.

Prepared by David Birtill Golf Media, 3 Stable Mews, Withnell Fold, Chorley PR6 8AR Tel: 01254 831 844; Fax: 01254831855; Mobile: 07850539110; email: golf@birtill.demon.co.uk