Golf: Shave's scintillating show dominates overseas event
Craig Shave produced a thrilling display of golf as he bagged the two major prizes at the annual county PGA overseas pro-am in Vilamoura, Portugal.
Over testing courses, Whetstone's Shave won both the individual award and led the winning pro-am team.
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star billing: From left, Craig Shave with Darren Anderson, John Winward and Alan Christian, the winning team in Portugal
He was a hugely impressive 20-under-par for the four rounds he played – on four different courses – including the 54-hole tournament.
Shave prepared with a six-under 66 at the Millennium course on the practice day, a clear indication of what was to come.
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On day one of the main event, he was four-under 68 at Vale Do Lobo Royal, where he fired five birdies. He was two-under 70 during a windy day two at the Old course, and then on the third day, as the championship reached a climax, the fireworks really came.
Shave was eight-under-par 64 at Vale Do Lobo Ocean course, including an eagle and eight birdies.
On his return for the Stableford format, he carded 40-38-44 for a 122 points total, and was eight points clear of his closest challenger, Rothley Park's Matthew Cort, who had 38-39-37 for 114.
These two professionals have shared success in these overseas pro-ams for the past few years. Shave won the pro individual in 2009 and 2010, before finishing runner-up to Cort in both 2011 and again last year.
But Shave stormed back to the winner's circle in superb style this time.
He said: "I was thrilled to play and score so well, and with tremendous support from my team of Darren Anderson, from Cosby, and two new amateur partners, John Winward and Alan Christian, both from Willesley Park. We had a really great time.
"We scored 85-82-83 over the three tournament days and our 250 tally saw us end seven clear."
Cort, with his line-up of Neil Clapham, Joe Hudson and Luke Turner, were runners-up on 243 after 78-76-89, with Bryn Morris (Kibworth), Richard Lawton, Geoff Trill and Paul Hilliard third on 78-76-87-241.
Nick Prentice (Park Hill), Danny Withers, John Wright and Damien Oliphant were fourth on 80-78-78-236.
Matt Stephens (CLL) was third in the individual section on 30-39-34-103, with Morris fourth on 99 points, Edward Martin (Longcliffe) fifth on 98, Dominic Fitzpatrick (Glen Gorse) sixth on 96, Will Davies (Melton Mowbray) seventh on 95, Richard Hughes (Forest Hill) eighth on 93, Matt Ulyett (Park Hill) ninth on 90 and Prentice 10th on 84.
County PGA secretary Mark Hatton said: "It was a fantastic few days, a successful and exciting event, and I hope more pros and amateurs will join us in Portugal next year."
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