WoodmuGuy Woodman completed an assistants' double as he added the PGA South Region Assistants' Championship, supported by The Golf Business, to his national title.

Played at The Drift GC over two rain-soaked rounds, the East Berkshire pro's total of seven-under-par 139 was two shots ahead of the second-placed Stephen Mitchell (Blackmoor).

Sharing third spot were Samuel Clayden (RAC Club) and Darren Peters (Hampton Court Palace) on a four-under-par 142. Woodman's winning performance earned him a cheque for £1,000.

Woodman showed the rest of the field the same winning form at The Drift that made him the Powerade PGA Assistants' champion back in July.

Despite the rain, Woodman produced a scorching six-under-par score of 67 for the first round, and knew he was well placed at two strokes ahead of the main pack comprising JD Lombard (Birchwood Park), David Callaway (Milford), Stephen Mitchell, and three ahead of Samuel Clayden and Dong-Kyon Lee (World of Golf).

The afternoon round was to prove a different kind of game as the rain continued to pour down. Consequently, several greens came close to flooding and preferred lies were played throughout the course.

For Woodman it was all about grinding out a score with as few mistakes as possible. Bogeys were swapped for birdies and despite the odd stray shot off the fairway into the trees, Woodman came down the last needing a par for a par round. Unsure if the 12 foot putt for birdie was needed to win, Woodman slotted it home like a true champion.

Having won two Assistants titles in 2010 at National and Regional level, Woodman is currently in the lead for the SkyCaddie Assistants and Trainees Order of Merit, with Darren Peters close behind.

Woodman's ambitions lie in qualifying for the Tour School this year and with three more rounds to go this week at The London Club, Woodman is in good shape at three-under-par for the first round, after which he had a few thoughts about the day and his performance.

He said: "I've never played The Drift before but had heard it was rather tight and tree-lined. I drove well in the morning, setting up lots of opportunities and the 67 could have been lower if one or two more putts had dropped.

"In the afternoon round, playing in wet gear again was harder work, and my game wasn't as sharp with a few errant drives. The key shot was at the 14th in the afternoon, as I'd driven left into the trees, had to chip out and then wedged to 20 feet. I made the par putt which really kept up my momentum, with a par at the next, bogey at 16, another par and then a final birdie on the 18th."

01 September, 2010

After being successful in the South Region Assistants Championship earlier in the week Guy Woodman got a late call up into the Stoke Park pro-am and produced another winning round.

In rather unseasonable weather with constant rain Guy produced a fantastic back nine of 31 to claim the first prize.  Guy's score of 4 under par finishing 3 strokes clear of Nick Mitchell (Newbury Golf Centre) Paul Newman (East Berks) and M Povey (Sunningdale).

Again Stoke Park proved to be a premier venue with the superb course and clubhouse facilities again making this a most popular pro-am on the BB&O PGA schedule.

East Berkshire's Guy Woodman was finally poised to celebrate his 33rd birthday in style after he lifted the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship in association with FootJoy title for the second time in three years.

Woodman, who turned 33 yesterday, had been forced to put any celebrations on ice for 24 hours as he attempted to become only the fifth player in the tournament's 80-year history to win the title twice.

The 2008 champion, who was runner-up last year, kept his rivals at bay with a final round two-under-par 70 to clinch a three-shot victory in the £30,000 tournament at East Sussex National. Woodman collected a cheque for £5,000 plus he secured the chance to take on the cream of the European Tour at next year's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Woodman, who paid tribute to his coach Andrew Nicholson, admitted that the final round had been a real pressure situation.

"It's the most nervous I've been on the course for a long time," he said.

"That was down to the weight of expectation not only from myself but from other people, while I knew there were five or six players behind me that if they got out the blocks fast enough could have won it.

"I went out of bounds on the third and after that my emotions and thoughts were upside down and I thought I'd blown it. Graham hit a few loose shots and that gave me a bit of hope because no-one seemed to be going forward.

"I kept grinding and got an unexpected eagle in the 13th and just relaxed after that for the first time. I feel quite emotional because it's a huge weight off my shoulders.

"I'm really chuffed and I have to thank my coach as he's been a real rock for me and gave me the belief to go and win it."

The relief was also poised to spill over with the belated birthday celebrations, which had been put on hold as Woodman focused on claiming the title.

"I went home after the second round and saw my family and my girlfriend and just went out for a quiet meal," he said.

"But tonight we're going to have a double celebration. I'm just pleased it's all done."

"But winning this twice, the Australian equivalent and the English PGA Assistants' - it's been a hell of a ride as an assistant!"

Woodman's victory sees him join Dai Rees (1935, 1936), Harry Weetman (1949, 1950), Matthew Tottey (2003, 2005) and Jonathan Lupton (2007, 2009) as the only players to win the title on two occasions.

The past 2 weeks I have been lucky enough to get invites into the Belgium and Austrian Challenge tour events.
Belgium was a tradition old layout- not long but tree lined fairways and swirly winds made for tricky conditions.
At times I played some great golf- but my putter was cold all week, and for some reason I seem to be playing my 3rd rounnds poorly. I finished the week in a tie for 56th. 68,73,77,72 = 290 (+2)

Then it was onto Austria, Klagenfurt g.c. This was a great course, fantastic condition; but very penal if you miss the fairways.
Again I showed glimmers of some great golf; but to many inconsistant shots along with a cold putter led to a tie for 53rd. 73,68,79,68 = 288 (level).
In all 2 cuts made is good; but I need to turn the 77's &9's into 72's.
My short game and 120 yards and in game has to improve if i'm to start challenging for titles.

Assistants Meeting at Datchet Guy Woodman again came to the fore to win the Assistants meeting at Datchet Golf Club

On greens described as the best played on this year by Guy he scored a 69 on a breezy day to continue his succesful start to the BB&O season.

We are pleased to announce that Datchet will again support an assistants meeting in 2011..

 

I've got to say I am so glad to have got these out of the way. They've been hanging over me for months. I managed to pass with flying colours- So relieved!

Woodman is Assistants Champion:

Guy Woodman from East Berks overcame the weather and the other assistants to become the BB&O PGA assistants champion for 2010.

On a very difficult scoring day at the Mill Ride Club in Ascot, Guy made light of the cold wind and rain and swept aside the other competitors in the large field to win by a seven shot margin with rounds of 72 and 71.

Second tied were Adam Hinkins (Harewood Downs) and Dan Seymour (Newbury Golf Centre) on 150 with Richard Campbell (West Berks) and Paul Newman (East Berks) a further shot back.

With his current form Guy will be looking forward to the 1st Order of Merit compettition The Spring Classic which takes place at Ellesborough Golf Club on Thursday April 8th.

Just got back from my 3 rd and final PGA resisdential course at the Belfry ! What a relief to get that out of the way- Although it was the most interesting one yet.
It  highlighted just how much work I need to do between Now and my final Exams in April- Can't wait to get them out the way so I can then put my soul focus into my golf for the rest of the year.

I Played the BB&O PGA Foursomes yesterday at Maidenhead G.C., the counties season opener. I partnered fellow East Berkshire assistant Paul Newman. We managed to knock it around in 65 (-5), which was good enough to win the competition. 
Hopefully I can keep this momentum going!

I Spent last week in the Algarve, Portugal. It was nice to see some sun again!
I haven't been able to work on my game for ages due to the snow, so it was nice to get back to it- it made me realise just how much practice I need to put in ,between now and the start of the season! One of the highlights was playing a new course called Larangel, it was fantastic- this is a must play when in the Algarve.
It was Ultimate golf escapes 1st week at Pine Cliffs. Everyone had a great time, people loved the complex , the golf and tuition. The general feedback was very  positive, most people can't wait for the next trip in April.
The dates have now been confirmed 10th - 24th April. For more info visit
www.ultimategolfescapes.com