Three teams share the lead on 43 points after an enthralling opening day in the Grand Final of the 2023 SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.
The two-day Grand Final is taking place at Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort (PGA National Italy), with each pair comprising a PGA Professional and their respective club captain, who qualified for the tournament via regional qualifiers held earlier in the year.
Simon Lilly and Glyn Pepper representing Wellingborough Golf Club share the lead with David Partridge and Mark Ward (Cricket St Thomas Golf Club) and Brampton Golf Club duo Philip Waugh and Captain Simon Whitwham.
PGA Professional Waugh and his club captain Whitwham, started steadily but came storming back to the clubhouse with five birdies in the last five holes, including the tricky trio of holes 16, 17 and 18.
Waugh said: “We managed to hole a couple of putts mid-way through the front nine which kept the score going and then Simon hit some really good shots and I sneaked in a couple of good shots as well, then we had a really good finish so it was a good day - really happy.
“We’re enjoying the week - the resort is beautiful, the views are spectacular, the course is great - we’ll just try our best and see where we end up tomorrow.”
Whitwham added: “It’s a very good layout, you’ve got to think your way around, you can’t just turn up and smash it, you’ve got to position your ball really well and if you don’t you’re in trouble. It’s a strong finish as well, the last three holes are quite tough, so to finish as strong as we did was really pleasing.
“The setup is fantastic, the rooms are great, the facilities are fantastic and the food has been awesome so it’s been perfect, we can’t ask for anything else.”
PGA Professional Lilly, who presented Great Britain & Ireland in the 2022 PGA Cup, and his partner Pepper, took the clubhouse lead after an early tee time and managed to stay in tied first position by the end of day one.
Speaking about the experience, Lilly said: “It’s been brilliant - nice to have a really good partner in Glyn, we’re good friends - it’s been a really good week.”
Pepper added: “It’s been fantastic, I’d recommend any captain to enter the tournament next year. I couldn’t speak more highly of the service and how friendly everybody’s been.”
With just seven points separating all pairings, the second and final day will prove an exciting finish to the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge Grand Final.
CLICK HERE to view a full leaderboard from day one.
