Wallis is King of the Hill
05/07/2017
Canterbury’s Richard Wallis shot a stunning nine-under-par round of 63 to win the King's Hill Pro-Am by no less than four shots.
Wallis could even afford to drop a shot at the 18th but still managed to equal the course record, and it's not surprise that King's Hill is up there as one of his favourite courses.
“Sometimes you have days when it all works and the putts drop," said Wallis.
"I love Kings Hill anyway, it’s a terrific heathland course with super greens, and the weather was ideal as well.
"But I have to admit I was pretty hot out there for a while! I was really pleased to inspire my amateur team as well, and I can’t tell who was more delighted to be winning something – them or me!”
In a strong field, Wallis’s closest competitors were Cooden Beach’s highly successful campaigner Paul Nessling who’s notched up a few notable wins this year already, and Littlehampton’s new PGA Head Professional, Lewis Parker.
Both carded very impressive five-under-par 67s which would under normal circumstances have probably won on any other day, but it was an inspired Wallis who claimed the top prize and walked home with the winner’s cheque for £625.
As Wallis commented: “I’ve had one or two really hot rounds in recent years, and they’re a wild ride. The trick is to enjoy it as long as you can, and not to get defensive as the holes run out.
"King’s Hill is certainly no push over, but it felt terrific to equal Chris Gane’s opening course record 63 in last year’s Westcoast PGA Southern Professional Championship.”
Just to underline the sort of day he was having, Wallis also picked up the nearest the hole competition for a further £100, and yes, he also took his three amateurs to a five shot victory in the team event as well, edging out Nessling’s team and adding another £150 to his wallet.
A shot gun start meant Wallis started at the 11th, and he made a very fast start with birdies at the 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th before dropping that solitary shot at the 18th. The former four time Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit and two time PGA Play Offs champion simply bounced right back with two more birdies on the trot.
His putter cooled off for four holes before Wallis made birdie at the seventh and then a class topping eagle at the ninth for a nine of 31 strokes. Thoroughly fired up, Wallis made one more birdie for good measure on his last hole, the 10th, for that amazing record equalling card of nine-under-par 63.
For more information about the event and for a full list of scores click here.
