Hot Clarke keeps cool head to win
Glazerite play-off

 

Course record 65 and first OOM victory for humble Beeston Fields pro Lee Clarke laid down his marker for the season when he beat reigning Midland Order of Merit champion Simon Lilly in a dramatic play-off to claim the Glazerite Trophy at Wellingborough Golf Club.

 

And he intends to carry his form forward to next week’s PTS Invitational at South Staffordshire which starts on Wednesday.

 

Clarke, from Beeston Fields GC in Nottinghamshire, struck a devastating blow with a pin-point wedge from 116 yards to within three feet of the pin to birdie the first play-off hole.

 

Lilly, who had finished his two rounds on eight-underpar 136 to get into the playoff had no answer, taking three putts to give Clarke the most comfortable of attempts to claim the title.

 

Clarke, reserved in his celebrations because of his friendship with Lilly, had earlier in the day broken the Wellingborough course record with a superb 65 including an albatross two at the par five 12th hole.

 

He said: "It is a dream come true. To win my first order of merit event and hit the course record is brilliant. To beat Simon, who is someone I admire and respect, is very rewarding.”

 

Lee Clarke, watched by runner-up Simon Lilly, lands the killer blow - a perfectly struck wedge from 116 yards to within three feet of the hole on the first play-off hole at Wellingborough and (above) with the Glazerite Trophy.

"That [wedge into the 18th] was a pressure shot and I think it took the wind out of Simon’s sails. When he three-putted, I knew I could relax.”

 

Clarke hopes to build on his victory and have another crack at gaining his European Tour card.

 

First, however, comes the PTS Invitational. He knows one victory does not make a summer and he cannot rest on his laurels.

 

"I have worked so hard over the past five years and started knocking on the door again last year. It could have been much better still today but I had a few three-putts myself.

 

"I want to build on this win and push the regulars all the way.”

 

Whetstone’s Craig Shave, came unstuck on the 18th when he might have made the play-off. But he twice found the water finishing with a triple-bogey seven and a share of third place with Paul Wesselingh, of Kedleston Park, who defends his title at South Staffs.

 

Wesselingh is relishing his return to a course of which he seems to have the measure.

 

"If I can get it to 270 yards or 280, then I am not too far behind these younger guys,” says Wesselingh, who, at 47-years-old, admits he has to work hard to keep in shape for tournament golf.

 

"A wise old head says it is better to be 50 yards short in the middle of the fairway than out wide in the rough.

"South Staffs can be a tough course that rewards accuracy. I have had great results there and love playing the course.”

 

Lee Clarke, watched by runner-up Simon Lilly, lands the killer blow - a perfectly struck wedge from 116 yards to within three feet of the hole on the first play-off hole at Wellingborough and (below) with the Glazerite Trophy.