After two days of immaculate Perth weather, players in the ADH Club Car WA PGA Trainee Championship were presented with wet testing conditions for the final round.

Torrential rain from sun up caused the greens to flood and play was suspended for an hour before the Trainees were able to head out and complete their championship.

With tough conditions and only a handful of players in a position to contend for the winner’s cheque, it was a test of mental strength competing against the elements for everyone. Michael Draper posted low round of the day with 1-over par 73 securing outright 5^th position.

Conor Brown, unfortunately, didn’t have his best shooting 83 to fall back to fourth position on a total of 15-over. Third place went to round one leader John Boulton after another consistent round of 78, two shy of Ethan Andrews in second place at 11-over par.

This left Secret Harbour’s first year PGA Trainee Dale Howie holding the trophy in his first attempt at the WA PGA Trainee Championship.

After a first round 78, Howie told himself to stay focused for the next three rounds.

“I was really looking forward to this week and when I had 78 in the first round I just told myself to stay patient and focus for the next three rounds," said Howie.

“I did that, stayed strong and now it feels awesome to be a State Champion.”

Today might have been his biggest win on the course but Howie will have another big day and a win off course next week when he will wed his fiancée Taryna in Cape Town.

“Yes what a way to start the holiday and wedding off, can’t wait to get back there and share this win with all our family and friends."

With this win, Howie now moves to top of the WA PGA Trainee Order of Merit above last year’s winner Ethan Andrews.

PGA Trainees competing in the 2018 ADH Club Car WA PGA Trainee Championship were treated to perfect Spring weather around the pristine Hartfield Country Club for the first three rounds of the tournament.

Through the first round, which was incorporated with the pro-am, Mount Lawley’s John Boulton shot out of the blocks to lead the field by three with 2-under par 70. Roshan Fernando was in second place after 1-over par 73, followed by defending champion Conor Brown at 2-over par 74.

Players were greeted by a cool, sunny Perth morning but with 36 holes ahead in the day, they were no doubt going to warm up.

Overnight leadrer John Boulton posting 7-over par 79 opened up the leaderboard for the field to make their move. Conor Brown moved a step closer to holding on to the title for another year posting low round of the morning, even par 72 and moving into the lead at 2-over par total.

Correy price and Dale Howie shot 1-over par 73 which moved them into outright 3^rd and 4^th position with Lakelands Trainee Ethan Andrew shooting a 77 to be 8-over total and tied 5^th with Victorian Marcus Hakkinen.

The Westerly kicked in testing the players through round three, low round went to Secret Harbour Trainee and consistent performer throughout the year Dale Howie, who posted 1-under par 71 to take the clubhouse lead at 6-over par.

The 2017 winner Conor Brown moved closer to back to back wins posting 2-over par 74 to be outright leader at 4-over par. Round one leader John Boulton bounced back with a 74 to be third at 7-over par followed by Ethan Andrews shooting an even-par 72 to be fourth outright and four back.

With testing conditions in today’s final round it looks like the battle for State Championship will come from the top handful of players.

Round four is underway.

Sunday marks the first round of the 2018 ADH Club Car WA PGA Trainee Championship played at the stunning Hartfield Country Club.

This years event has attracted 35 players including 12 interstate Trainees vying for the prestigious title and part of the $20,000 prize purse.

Defending champion Conor Brown is excited and very relaxed heading in this years event.

“Its a nice feeling being defending champion, it was a goal of mine to win the WA Trainee Championship and so to get it done last year definitely takes the pressure of this year, ” said Brown.

“My form has been pretty steady most of the year due to finding some form with my putter so hopefully that continues this week. The course looks amazing so I’m looking forward to a great week.”

Last years WA Order of Merit winner Ethan Andrews is also one to watch, “I really enjoy playing Hartfield it reminds me of my home course Lakeland’s. The course is in such good condition, I can’t wait for the gun to go off tomorrow,” said Andrews

First round tee off tomorrow is at 12.15pm in the Pro-Am format followed by 36 holes Monday and the final round teeing off from 6.40am on Tuesday.