GARETH EVANS wrapped up the Ronnie Parkinson Trophy and an Order of Merit double when the Halifax, Huddersfield Alliance staged their annual tournament in memory of their former competition secretary, at his home club Ryburn.
The Crow Nest Park assistant professional claimed his sixth victory in eight outings this season, and his second in succession with partner Mark Campbell (8) after notching 43 points, giving the pair the Memorial Trophy after beating Am-Am duo Jonathan Tolley (15) and Tom Copley (15) from the host club by a solitary point.
Early leaders and second pro home was Chris Hanson and his partner Toby Garrett (1) who carded 41 points early in the day despite getting the worst of the weather.
Both the Pro-Am pairings of Evans and Campbell and Hanson and Garrett had unbalanced rounds, the former having 25 points on the back nine, while Hanson and partner shot 23 points on the front nine in pouring rain.
Evans has been dominant this season, but at Ryburn he was grateful to his partner Campbell, who had a run of five birdies (including two gross) from the 11th hole as part of their seven-birdie back nine.
For the Amateurs, overall runners-up Tolley and Copley had equal halves of 21 apiece, while their nearest Am-Am rivals were Outlane’s Jake Smith (13) and Andy Mellor (13) who were one of six pairs to come in with 39 points, but took second on a countback.
Mellor had one of 10 nett eagles recorded on the day at the sixth/15th hole which was downwind on a day when conditions were never easy, especially in the morning with blustery winds accompanied by rain.
The later starters had the better of the conditions with some pleasant sunshine, although short showers struck again late in the day.
Evans was not only celebrating his success in the Ronnie Parkinson, but also in winning the Professional Order of Merit, having accrued an unbeatable 72 points, from Bradley Park’s Rob Stansfield (45) and Longley Park’s John Ambler on 39 with just one event – the Page Trophy – to go.
And the Evans/Campbell victory also meant that Crow Nest Park cannot now be caught for the Champion Club prize, as they lead with 439 points from Bradley Hall – venue for the Page Trophy on Tuesday, May 1.
