Cutchie and Clarke in Classic form

12/06/2021

Chris Cutchie (Colchester) and amateur playing partner Phil Clarke bagged top spot after two superb rounds at the 21st edition of the Searles PGA Spring Classic.

The duo opened up with 43 points in the Stableford format tournament at King’s Lynn to trail defending champions Luke Goddard (Hendon) and teenager Alfie Edgson by just one.

Day two took place at Heacham Manor – the first time the north Norfolk venue had played host to a PGA event.

And Cutchie (above right) and Clarke (above left) turned on the style with a brilliant better-ball display, securing a slender victory in thrilling style.

Cutchie really brought his A-game for the second round, firing a pair of birdies and an eagle in the first four holes. That saw him and Clarke surge clear at the summit.

But they had to stave off a bold finish from Goddard and Edgson, who were playing alongside them in the final group.

Chris Cutchie (second right) and Phil Clarke (second left) with sponsors Vicky and Paul Searle

Cutchie and Clarke held a narrow lead standing on the final tee before the Essex professional produced a rare poor drive that led to a lost ball on the par-5.

And the tournament was really up for grabs when Goddard delivered a stunning 9-iron from just over 190 yards to set up a 12-foot eagle putt.

But six-handicapper Clarke had all the moves covered, getting up and down from 60 yards to notch a vital birdie in the shadow of Heacham Manor’s impressive newly-opened ‘Pavilion’ facility. That lifted Clarke and Cutchie to 44 points for the day and a fine overall tally of 87.

Indeed, it was a good thing Clarke’s short-game shone late on as Goddard duly converted for eagle and the overall victory margin was just a single point.

Cutchie said: “It’s so important in this format to make sure you both don’t play the same hole badly – and we didn’t have one dropped shot in two rounds. That was the main thing.

“I left Phil all on his own on the last and he came up trumps – made birdie, nett eagle. Brilliant stuff!

“It’s great to win and it’s nice to do so with Phil as well. We’ve had a few goes at it and I think we were due, so we’re delighted.”

Stephen Harris (The Shire) and Andrew Norton finished third on countback from Andrew Robinson (Felixstowe Ferry) and James Ramm after both combinations finished up on 80 points.

CLICK HERE for the full list of scores