This particular format – golfers pitting themselves against the course in a sort of matchplay situation – can be demanding, especially in a stiff breeze.

All credit, then, to the five high handicap members who finished in the top nine having completed with a final plus on their cards.

The best of them was Barry Lovelace, playing off 20, who managed to finish with a four-up winning score after an undefeated home run including three wins.

He was two better than David Porter (handicap 23) in second spot with Malcolm Wyer, off nine, the best placed single-figure man on countback from a posse on one-up


Focus at The Suffolk Golf & Country Club this weekend will be on their Tolly Cobbold Cup side's big date with formidable Stoke-by-Nayland on a neutral lay-out at Diss.

The prize is a place in the final of this Suffolk men's inter-club team competition – a stage The Suffolk club has not reached for nearly a decade.

The local side is out for revenge following their defeat by Stoke on that occasion, but they know it is a tough assignment against a side who have also won the trophy for the past two years.

The winners will face either Seckford or Waldringfield for the title.


Kevin Earp, from Bury Driving Range, enjoyed a profitable day at the Fynn Valley pro am.

He shot a 69 to finish second, two behind winner Andrew Pestell, from Chelmsford, and led home a winning pro-am team with an 11 under par score.


Captain's Charity Day at Thetford pulled in some 180 golfers from all over the East region and more than £5000 was raised for St Nicholas' Hospice.

Classified Scores. BURY ST EDMUNDS. Men's Lavelle Cup (bogey competition): B Lovelace (20) 4up, D Porter (23)2up, M Wyer (9)1up, J Williams (27)1up, G Davies (10)1up, J Cole (6)1up, A Ridley (25) 1up, C Nurse (7)1up, C Trainor (25)1up.

THETFORD. Captains Charity Day team prizes: S Plumb, J Whyte S Hawkins, M Harvey 87pts, G Driver, A Sharrocks, S Wynne, L Kettley 86, P Green S Ridgeway, J Atherton 85. Putting: 1 T Glynn 2 T Rand.

Seniors Open Day (55-60): S Lythell (Manor of Groves) 37pts, R Townsend (King's Lynn)34, A Brown (Thetford) 32, C Vincent (Newmarket) 31.

(61-65): T Simpson (Newmarket) 38 ocb from J Eddows (Five Lakes) 38, B Gaylor (John O'Gaunt) 37, D Stephenson (Eaton) 35.

(66-70): D Pitt (King's Lynn) 37 ocb from S Long (Gorleston) 37 ocb from B Allen (Bedfordshire) 37 ocb from S Harbrom (South Beds) 37.

(Over 70): D Carlin (Thetford) 37, J Hought (Purdis Heath) 36, J Neave (King's Lynn) 34, A Smith (Royal Norwich) 33.

Nearest pin: R Salmon (Purdis Heath).

Longest drive: K Favers (Newmarket).

Men's Midweek Medal: P Graham 77(5)72, D Carlin 95(21)74, H Ham 85(10)75.

FLEMPTON. Women's Invitation Day (40 entries): S Mason & J Bell 42pts, J Jacobs & M Gillingwater 41, P Beake & S Batt 41. Nearest pin: B Collings. Mystery hole: B Collings.