Ellis finds form to share honours

Ian Ellis of Costessey Park and Kieran James shared top spot in the John O’Gaunt Charity pro-am with rounds of six under par 65.

Both were among the afternoon starters when the weather, although overcast, became warmer.

Ellis had an unblemished round that included four birdies and an eagle at the 478-yard 17th.

James, concentrating on tournament play, had eight birdies but dropped two shots. The pair ended four shots clear of morning leader James Scade of Little Channels Golf Club whose two under par round was later matched by Mark Baker of Colchester.

Ellis said: “It’s nice to play well in a big pro-am. Now I am looking forward to the rest of the season. I feel rejuvenated because April was a struggle.

“I had been putting dreadfully but at John O’Gaunt I was sinking the three and four footers and finding the fairways.

“I think this year will be a good year starting with the first order of merit event next week at Royal Cromer where I hold the course record of 66.”

James Ruebotham of Welwyn Garden City and Mark Hooper of Rayleigh Golf Range were tied in fifth place at one under par at John O’Gaunt where there were 53 teams in a popular event which had two two-tee starts.

Irishman James with amateurs Ben Collins, Sue Collins and his mother Marie James were the winning team with 13 under par 129.

Scade, Mick Moss, Tom Hudson and Andy Parker were runners-up one shot behind. Third place went to Ben Cooper of Bishop’s Stortford with Steve Cooper, Ali Jones and Chris Foster.

Foster is a nine-handicap player from East Herts Golf Club with one leg who is a regular supporter of pro-ams. He uses a buggie, walks with crutches but still produced the longest drive in a recent pro-am at Hadley Wood.