Bill is Kent champion of champions

Posted on 06/07/08. Source: Fairway to Green Magazine (By Staff writer)

Pedham Place GC's Bill Britton proved he was Kent's champion of champions with victory in the Watson Trophy - an 18-hole competition for the county's club champions.

The event finally took place at Dartford GC after it was originally cancelled in April due to heavy snowfall. However, it proved worth the wait for Britton who emerged victorious with a two-under-par round of 67 to win by two strokes.

After nine holes, Jack Read, Royal Blackheath junior and winner of the Blackheath Boys Medal, was first to beat par with a one-under 33, pressed by Nick Panting (Deangate Ridge) and Britton just one away.

They were followed by the home club's Darren Crabb, Ben Collins (Chart Hills), Matt Hervey (Langley Park) and David Jessup Jnr.(Rochester & Cobham) all on 35.Twice reigning champion Michael Bush (Rochester & Cobham) was adrift on 37. On the way in, Panting lost his place
with 37 as did Hervey, and Jessup and Collins fell out on 38 and 39. Bush's par 35 came too late but Britton's closing two-under-par 33 gave him the trophy while Crabb's 34 took him to second spot on count-back over Read who closed with a 36.

Britton's 67 equalled the competition's lowest score by Jason Morris (Rochester & Cobham) in 2003.