Former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker showed his liking for the west country, especially the championship links at Trevose, by winning the Carlsberg Marston’s-sponsored Cornish Festival for an unprecedented third time.
Baker, the head PGA Professional at South Staffs Golf Club in Wolverhampton, won the PGA South West region’s seasonal curtain-raiser in 2017 and 2019.
He also finished tied-fifth in 2022 following the tournament’s resumption after a two-year enforced break due to Covid.
And it was business as usual for the three-time DP World Tour winner in the latest edition of the event which this year was contested by 90 pros over three Cornish courses – Trevose, Newquay and the Point at Polzeath.
Baker signed off at Trevose which, given his familiarity with the course due to his participation in the Farmfoods-sponsored Legends Tour events staged there, worked to his advantage.
Not least because, although he had negotiated the other two venues in nine-under par, he trailed Lincoln Golf Club’s Adam Woolley by four shots at the start of the final round.
Woolley, however, fell foul of the wind and an uncooperative putter at Newquay and a six-over par round of 75 left him sharing second place with St Enodoc’s Joe Cruse.
Similarly, the wind was a malevolent influence further up the north Cornwall coast and to combat it Baker had to make a withdrawal from the bank of experience that earned him a place in Europe’s 1993 Ryder Cup team.
“It was very difficult today,” he said. “When the wind was up it was challenging, and the greens were fast, so putting wasn’t easy.
“I’ve played here in Farmfood events on the Legends Tour as well as the Cornish Festival and when the wind blows, it can be very tricky. You learn something every time you come here.”
Lessons absorbed, Baker, who signed off in style with a birdie, posted a one-under par total of 71 to finish on 10-under and claim the £2,500 first prize with three shots to spare. Furthermore, he fuelled his love affair with Trevose.
“I love coming down here, it’s part of our season,” he added. “Trevose is a fantastic place. It’s a course I’ve played a lot over the years, and I got the job done today so I’m really pleased.”
Meanwhile, the pro-am team event was won by Tuition Golf Breaks Ross Whitelock and his three amateurs: John Behennah, Andy Preston and Mark Cottingham. They amassed 254 Stableford points and won on countback from Barry Austin’s team from Downes Crediton Golf Club.
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