Soto Nicks Trophy Win

A STUNNING eagle at the par four 17th hole paved the way for Dalepak sponsored golfer Nick Soto to clinch the Midlands Assistant Professionals Trophy at Stapleford Park in Leicestershire.

Soto ultimately walked away with the prize after a three hole play-off, having initially shot rounds of 72 and 71 over the course of the days two rounds, which left him at three under par.

The 32 year-old then went head to head with Robert Tagg of Sherwood Forest and Andrew Jones who is assistant at the Ladbrook club in the West Midlands, and coolly scored birdies at each of the extra holes.

More than 80 club assistants took part in the competition which proved a thorough test of stamina. “I was the first one off at 7.30am and I was playing until 8pm. It was a long day as I set off from home at 5am and got home at 10pm!” said Nick.

The eagle on the 17th came at a critical time at the end of the second round as it stopped the rot of three consecutive bogeys. “I hit my drive to within four feet of the pin and then landed my putt,” said Nick.

“After that I managed a safe par on the 18th and went into the play-offs thinking it had to be my day.”

Nick is now seeking to extend his form to the final three rounds of the Midland PGA Tour, in which he has been competing all summer and believes this success will act as a spur.

“The nice thing about this is that I have actually won a title and will be the Midlands Assistants champion for the next 12 months,” said Nick.

“It is probably the first time I have won anything since I was county champion. Dalepak have been such good sponsors and it is nice to be able to go back to their managing director Mick White and not just talk about a Midland Order of Merit table.”