Wales’ Simon Edwards shot to victory in the 2013 Kempinski “The Dome” Pro-Am after a closing two-under-par 69 secured a four shot victory over his rivals at Antalya Golf Club in Belek, Turkey.
Conditions across the PGA Sultan and Pasha courses at Antalya GC had been up and down all week, but Edwards managed to come through the storms unscathed, carding a one-under par 213 total (70-74-69).
Edwards made a solid start in the penultimate nine holes arriving at the 10th hole lying one-over for the day and two-over for the tournament.
But fortune favoured the Welshman as he skillfully holed out from 123 yards for an eagle two, followed by six pars and a birdie-par finish to complete the 54-hole event as the only player under par.
“I played nicely this week,” said Edwards of his winning play. “Obviously you have to play good to win…and it’s good to play against quality players and keep my game in shape – I’m a club pro so this helps to keep sharp.”
Edwards continues his fine form from the 2012 season having also won in Turkey at the PGAs of Europe 2012 BEKO Classic not far down the road at Cornelia Golf Club.
“I enjoy Turkey because of the quality of the courses and appreciate what you guys at PGAs of Europe, John Dent and Mustafa at BEKO all do…It’s great to get the full set out here, Beko, Callister and now here at the Kempinski.”
Second place went to overnight leader representing the PGA of GB&I, Chris Baron, whose closing 74 wasn’t quite enough to keep up with Edwards, giving him a three-over par finish (69-74-74).
Two-shots back from Baron was the PGA of Sweden’s Jonathan Fransson, who closed his tournament with a two-under 69, equalling Edwards for the low rounds of the day, culminating in a five-over total for the week (73-77-69).
Turkey’s Bulent Karatas closed with a one-over 72 finishing on a six-over par total (69-79-72) for fourth place, whilst Day One’s co-leaders, Hakan Yamac (68-82-73) and Zeke Martinez (68-80-75), remained together on the final leaderboard both ending on a nine-over par total for a share of fifth place.
The two-round Team competition culminated with Day-Two’s low-scorer of the day, Chris Baron, leading his team of Andreas Martin, Nicola Just, and Professor Joachim Muller to victory in the Fourball better-ball tournament with a points total of 165.
Day One individual co-leader Hakan Yamac and his team also held on through their second rounds to take second place in the team event with a total of 158 points, closely followed James Ferraby’s team with 157 points to finish in third.
John Dent, Director of Golf at Antalya Golf Club, said of the Pro-Am – “We had a fantastic, strong line-up for the week and the pros and amateurs enjoyed some great weather with a very testing second day…but both courses, the PGA Sultan and the Pasha, were in immaculate condition with the greens running at 11 on the stimp-meter. We hope the competitors enjoyed playing at Antalya Golf Club and staying in the wonderful surroundings of the Kempinski “The Dome” Hotel this week.”
PGAs of Europewww.pgae.com
Antalya Golf Club www.agc.com.tr
Kempinski “The Dome” Hotel www.kempinski.com/en/belek.