Dodd is Suffolk PGA champion

Lawrence Dodd (above left) of Bury Golf Range, a former England amateur international and 2012 Suffolk Open champion, won the Suffolk PGA stroke play title for the first time at Woodbridge.

He beat Richard Beadles (right) of Royal Worlington at the third play-off hole after both players finished with one-over-par 141 after two rounds.

Beadles saw a birdie putt horseshoe out at the first and missed a six-foot birdie putt at the second. At the 529-yard par five third Dodd outdrive Beadles by some 50 yards and was just short of the green in two. He chipped dead to secure an easy birdie. Beadles was left with a 30-foot uphill putt from the fringe of the green but had to settle for a par. Beadles had led with a first round of one-under-par 69 and followed up with 72.

Dodd collected the Mallinson Trophy first won by A H Monk in 1927. Mr Mallinson also presented the Thorpeness Frigate, one of the most valuable trophies in the East of England, in the same period.

On the last occasion this event was staged at Woodbridge in 2008 Beadles was also involved in a play-off with Andrew Collison (Bungay) which was unresolved after 10 holes were played in par before bad light halted play. The trophy was shared.

Chris Smith (Fynn Valley) and Andrew Robinson were joint third both having rounds of 70 and 73.  First year assistant Bradley Wilkins of Fynn Valley was joined fifth on 145 together with Adam Trett of Bury Golf Range. Seventh place went to Kevin Earp of Bury Golf Range, the 2012 winner, with 147.

Conditions at Woodbridge were excellent with the subtle greens putting well although there were some testing pin positions.