Kevin Saunders wins Hampshire PGA order of merit (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Kevin Saunders wins Hampshire PGA order of merit

8:40am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Sport

Kevin Saunders has celebrated the sixth Hampshire PGA order of merit title of his career.

The Brokenhurst Manor player secured the crown at the South Winchester Pro-Am, beating nearest rival Gary Stubbington by a shot to hold onto first place in the standings.

“I’m really pleased,” said Saunders, 39. “It’s slightly different this year, because I didn’t play in all of the events, so it’s been a bit more unexpected.

“I really wasn’t thinking about it midway through the season.

“But, as the season panned out, I realised I was getting closer and closer and I had a really good run in September and October.

“In other years I played a lot of the events, so I was always going to score quite highly.

“But this year is a bit different, which makes it special.”

Neither Saunders nor Stubbington were in contention for the South Winchester title, though.

That honour went to Lee-on-the-Solent’s Steve Richardson and Botley Park’s Shaun Hall, who tied for first, on a score of 71.

Home player Rob Gowers was one shot behind, in third place.

Hall also won the pro-am team event, with his squad of Olly Knight, Lisa Cross and Nigel Hawkins.