Ellis equals course record

Ian Ellis equalled the course record to win the first prize at Haverhill with a six-under-par 64 on a damp day.

The Costessey Park pro had six birdies in a perfect round on a testing course with some of the fastest greens in the region.

His score equalled the professional course record set by Neil Lythgoe of Royal Norwich.

Runner-up was Lawrence Dodd of Bury Golf Range who carded a 65. He also had six birdies but dropped a shot on the 184-yard par three 16^th hole.

“I missed the green to the left, chipped to within six feet but missed the putt” said Dodd, “but at least I was showing better form again.”

A trio of experienced campaigners, Phil Abbott of John O’Gaunt, Brett Taylor from Chelmsford and Jon Fryatt of Thorpe Hall shared third place at two under par.

Six others at one under par were Glynn Harris (Mill Hill), Daniel Poulter (Kartel Golf), Andy Cotton (Ufford Park), Laurence Allen (Brookmans Park) and Rayleigh Golf Range pair Mark Hooper and Mark Stokes.

Dodd brought home the winning team on count back with 14 under par 126. His amateurs were Dean Fairweather, Des Halil and 12-year-old Alfie Halil.

Team runners-up were Stokes, Steve Allen, Sonia Batrip and Elaine Cochrane. The third placed team was Ben Cooper (Bishop’s Stortford) with Alan Abbott, Chris Foster and Stephen Cooper with 126 on count back from Daniel Coughlan (Wyke Green) and his amateurs.

There were 41 teams taking part including one with former Haverhill head professional Nick Duc who is now head professional at Nevill Golf Club in Sussex.

Paul Wilby, head professional at Haverhill, said: “There was rain on and off all day but it did not dampen the spirits because everyone was enjoying the golf course. The greens were phenomenal.”