Thankfully, the European Seniors Tour returns to Stoke by Nayland again this year, with the £175,000 Weston Homes PGA International.

It will be the third successive seniors event at the Suffolk course and new sponsors, Weston Homes, have agreed a three-year deal.

The tournament, which offers a first prize of £26,250, is expected to feature former Tour players like past Ryder Cup star and captain, Sam Torrance and Carl Mason.

They have claimed the past five Senior Order of Merit titles between them as well as being winners at the previous two Suffolk tournaments.

Italian Constantina Rocca and another former Ryder Cup star and captain, Ian Woosnam, are eligible if available.

The 54-hole challenge, played over three days from September 12-14, is also an opportunity for club professionals to qualify to tee it up alongside the tournament men.

Having had the privilege of travelling with the Senior Tour as its press officer during the 1990s, I can attest to the quality of these over-50 golfers.

Most club members are well over that age and, by watching these older pro swingers, can learn a great deal about how to approach the game once they no longer hit it 300 yards!


Flempton have obtained the services of Keiran Canham as the club's new coach.

Canham, a fully qualified PGA professional who assists head professional Mark Jillings at Bury St Edmunds, is available for coaching at Flempton on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as Saturday afternoons.

Next Tuesday, he will be on the practice ground where the club's juniors will be involved in their spring practice.

Canham, 28, a former Suffolk county team player, has been a professional for six years.

He said: "This new role is a great opportunity to boost my career and I am available for lessons, not only to club members, but anyone interested in playing the game."

Flempton club captain Brian Field said: "We are delighted to have a bright young professional to bring his skill and enthusiasm to our members."


Stowmarket's 17-year-old one-handicap junior Sam Forgan pipped his more senior club secretary Roger West (9) on countback to win Division One of the club's March Stableford.

The pair returned 39 points, while Neil O'Connor took the Division Two prize with 41 from 19.

The Sunday session was washed out by serious flooding in the Stowmarket area.

Suffolk Golf & Country Club members also had their monthly Stableford cancelled by the weather.


Robert Stone showed his father, William, the way home by topping Division Two of the Bury St Edmunds Midweek Stableford.

Playing from 20, Robert produced 43 points, four better than second placed Dad playing from 28.

David Matter knocked a shot off his seven handicap by winning the top division with 39 points.


Classified scores. BURY ST EDMUNDS. Men's Midweek March Stableford Division One: D Matter (7)39pts, J Banks (9)35, K Thompson (14)32, M Lawrence (13)31, I Turner (15)31.

Division Two: R Stone (20)43, W Stone (28)39, D Peake (25)36, K Harris (25)35, D Doran (22)34.

THETFORD. Women's March Medal Division One: J Warton 88(14)74, W Cooper 100(20)80, S Burman 98(18)80.

Division Two: D Dixon 107(30)77, D McBride 106(27)79, P Ellis 112(26)86.

Marie Currie Stableford: J Staines 40 pts, M Hunter 39, C Davis 38.
Hall of Fame (Cancer Research) Stableford: G Arnold 40, L Band 39, B Arnold 38.

STOWMARKET. Men's March Stableford. Saturday, Division One: S Forgan (1)39pts ocb from R West (9)39, D Drummond (5)37.
Division Two: N O'Connor (19)41, M Toon (15)37, T Aguilar-Gomez (17)36.
Sunday's session washed out.