It was a good day for Andrew Forgan and his son Sam at the Suffolk Winter Alliance meeting at Hintlesham, played in chilly conditions.
The Forgans, together with Matt Lockwood and Gus Cutting, also from Stowmarket, won the team event with 89 Stableford points.
Sam Forgan was top professional with a round of six under par 66.
Other professional scores were: 71: Joe Cardy (Hintlesham). 73: Tim Cooper (Newton Green). 76: Dean Fairweather (Culford Golf Academy). 77: Alex Davey (Stowmarket). 83: Andy Goodridge (Bury Golf Range).
There was a field of 108 who enjoyed fast greens despite overnight rain.
Runners-up in the team event were Joe Cardy, Mike Eaton (Hintlesham) with Keith Rooney and Andy Cunningham of Stowmarket with 87 points.
Third place went to Chris Leys, Ricky Deasy (Hinlesham) with Ashley Hammond and W Tricker of Brett Vale with 85 points.
The next Suffolk Winter Alliance better ball meeting will be at Ufford Park on December 14 with a 9am shotgun start.
Other Scores at Hintlesham
84: B Castle, A Smith, N Davidson, D Drew; P Fairbrother, A Gipson, L Gregory, A Goodwin.
83: D Brown, K Hodgson, R Gardiner, G Borthwick.
82: I Benson, T Warren, B Long, R Benson.
81: C Seward, A Middle, S Lummis, R Brame; T Cooper, M Schekle, G Evans, M Bryant.
79: T Broomfield, H Bavester, M Firman, A Spittle.
78: N Salmon, A Garrett, C Whyatt, M Parkinson; J Gilham, K Jameson, G Green, J Clark; R Brazier, J Paterson, K McCredie, A Davey.
77: L Hastie, J Hastie, R Hastie, A Goodridge.
76: P Coleman, D Smith, M Toon, D Fairweather.
75: T Carman, A Ault, P Sandfield, A Austin.
73: P Walters, R Ross, R Clayden, P Lockwood; D Yates, R Davies, J Williams, J Partridge.
71: S Piotrowski, J Wiseman, G Hepworth, A Quinn.
70: B Sayers, T Martin, R Seaman, M Smith; J Kennedy, T Lyons, K Ward, P McClennan.
69: B Paton, P Garnett, G Courtney, T Dinwiddy.
68: C Ward, B Aldous, G Howard, W Darling; G Staples, I Wheeldon, R Walters, P Samain.
67: G Morgan, L Norman, M Milner, S Carr.
66: D Roope, T Daniels, M Robinson M Mansfield.
60: D Simpkin, L Turner, A Cherry, C Clark.
- Alexandra Rock, a 13-year-old from Prague, won the Stonham Barns Junior Players’ Championship by three shots to retain the title.
The five-handicapper from the Podebrady Golf Club in the Czech Republic was round in level-par 29. This score has only been bettered by Alastair Hall’s round of 27 in 2003.
Runner-up was 11-year-old Charlie Goodridge from Bury St Edmunds with his round of 32. Goodridge won the title in 2015.
The event has been played every year since 2001 with some previous winners going on to represent both county and country,
Although this event was played on a bright sunny day the winds were bitingly cold.
There were four age categories. The winner of the Under eight was Beatrice Meadows who scored 45. The Under 10 title was won by Kieran Lewin with a score of 43. Goodridge was best at under 12.
This event was played using Big Hole Golf with larger holes. The concept was developed by Murray Blair in Australia. It is now becoming popular all over the world as a way of getting increased participation into golf.
- Essex, with so many clay-based golf courses, face problems in the winter months. Two clubs, Colchester and Clacton, have recognized the work done by their greens staff.
Colchester are now officially ranked fourth best course in Essex, promoted from ninth last year.
Only Thorndon Park, Orsett and Chelmsford received a higher rating from website top100courses.com
New club captain Mike Withers has promised that the good work is far from finished
This reflects great credit on the staff led by head greenkeeper Keith Chinnery.
The review said that holes one to six were particularly interesting and the par-five second hole was “as good as any in Essex.”
The review added that the excellent condition of greens, approaches, tees, and overall presentation of the course merited the upgrading.
The club has opportunities for new members in all categories including trial membership. Anyone interested can contact the office on 01206 853396.
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