POTTON BASKS IN THE SUN TO SEIZE THE LEAD IN DEVON
 Gaius
Potton (pictured left - photo courtesy of Tom Ward) enjoyed
the sort of round every golfer dreams about to jump into the
lead on a brilliantly sunny second day of the English Men’s
Seniors Amateur Championship in Devon.
The 62 year old from Hemel Hempstead carded a superb four
under par 67 at Yelverton to ease two strokes clear on 140.
The Hertfordshire man looked like threatening the course record
when he got to six under after 14 holes with an eagle and
five birdies. But dropped shots at the 16th and 17th brought
him back to the field.
“Overall I’m pleased with that,” he said
modestly. “But after getting to six under I couldn’t
hold it together. Nevertheless, I certainly got some balls
into the hole today and something in the low 70s tomorrow
will do me.”
He almost made a sensational start when his tee shot at the
207 yard first stopped an inch away from the cup. “I’ve
never had a hole-in-one and I couldn’t have come much
closer,” he said.
Potton was also helped in that Yelverton is similar to his
home course at Berkhamsted. “I certainly felt at home,”
he added.
Second on 142 are Kent’s David Jamieson after a 70
and former champion Doug Arnold from Sussex, both at Tavistock,
while another Sussex man, Kerry Scott, is fourth on 143 after
a 72 at Yelverton.
Another sub-par man was international Alan Squires, who went
round Tavistock in 69 for 144, but overnight leader Stephen
Baker suffered at Yelverton with a 77 for 146.
One of the best performances of the week came from three-time
champion Gordon Edwards. The Cheshire man, whose first victory
came 18 years ago, matched his age with 73 at Tavistock on
day one, added 76 at Yelverton today to easily make the cut
which came at 154.
A total of 61 players qualified for tomorrow’s (Friday)
final round.
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