PGA Professional Ruben Lal returned to the club where he completed his PGA Traineeship and claimed his first ever Pro-Am victory.

Today was a Pro-Am of a different kind on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am series. The Pakenham Golf Club combined their annual Pro-Am with their Corporate Challenge in a format that has transformed both events.

Heavy overnight rain meant a slightly delayed start as ground staff did their best to deal with an overflowing creek and some causal water.  Despite this the greens remained fast and true and a tough test for all players.

The morning round saw PGA Professionals join club members for an 18 hole individual event.  Local teaching Professional and recent winner at Eastwood Scott Laycock was certainly the fancied player in the field but he got off to a sluggish start making the turn even with the card.

He came home with three birdies to finish on 3-under 68, a score that in the conditions many thought would hold up.

However it was Ruben Lal, who completed his PGA Traineeship at Pakenham Golf Club who shot the lights out. On a layout he is only to familiar with he carded seven birdies and two bogeys to sign for a winning 5-under 66. This was Lal’s first ever Pro-Am victory and he was a little lost for words during the lunchtime presentations

“I don’t really know what to say, this is my first win in a Pro-Am,” said Lal.

“Perhaps thanks to Pakenham Golf Club and their members, Haydn for his work in putting it together and to Rick and Tim the ground staff, what an amazing job considering the rain overnight."

That saw the end of the individual event and the beginning of the Corporate Challenge. The Professionals went back out to play another round, but this time in a team Ambrose with Corporate teams of three who had purchased them at Monday night auction.

In the more relaxed environment in the afternoon event the Professionals got to show all their tricks and give a more thorough playing lesson to their corporate  guests.

Lal almost pulled of the double. His team falling just one shot shy of the eventual winners captained by Kingston Links PGA Trainee Professional David Hall. An amazing 62 Gross, 51.5 Nett saw the team from Bendigo Bank lakeside Pakenham take home the major team prize.

The Corporate Challenge festivities continued with a sporting memorabilia auction following the presentations with a packed clubhouse bidding on a number of rare sporting items.