‘Few’ problems for victorious Mike and Curtis

Prize: Marston’s Beer Company PGA Summer Classic winners Curtis and Mike Few are flanked on the left by Ken Potts (Sheringham captain) and Richard Saunders of Marston’s Beer Company. 

Father and son Mike and Curtis Few mastered the elements to secure victory in the Marston’s Beer Company PGA Summer Classic. 

Weston Park professional Mike and student Curtis – a 13 handicapper – notched 79 points for the 36-hole pro-am staged over two days at Royal Cromer Golf Club and Sheringham Golf Club.

The Norfolk duo enjoyed ideal coastal golf conditions on the opening day, racking up a mighty 45 points under a greensomes Stableford format at Royal Cromer.

That gave them a three-point lead going into the second day at cliff-top Sheringham where high winds demanded a test of patience and temperament as well as exceptional skills.

The Few combination handled just about all that the weather, course and competition could throw at them as they recorded 34 points, playing Stableford better-ball.

Their aggregate total for the two days proved sufficient to give them a hard-earned victory by four points from their nearest rivals, Alex Lucas (Ipswich Golf Centre) and his playing partner Sean Payne.

Dad Mike, who is chairman of the PGA in England (East), said: “It is always nice to win but this is certainly one of the more special ones with it being alongside one of my sons.

“We dovetailed pretty well, particularly on the back-nine at Royal Cromer with six birdies and three pars. We played it in 30 shots.

“Conditions in the second round were testing and the key was to try and get two balls in play every hole. There were quite a number of holes where I’d normally go with driver off the tee, but instead I hit a 2-iron just to make sure that I was in there backing Curtis up.”

Few snr, 50 last February, has fond memories of Sheringham. As a 17-year-old he won the Norfolk Amateur Championship at the North Norfolk venue by ten shots.

He required all his course experience to help build a solid second-round score, while his teenage son also made some very valuable contributions. In particular, 18-year-old Curtis made a fine birdie three for four points at the par-four ninth hole.

As the mighty gusts of wind placed intense pressure on each competitor, Mike’s short-game prowess was to the fore as he made a series of up and downs on the back-nine. Curtis completed the job with a superb ‘save’ from just over the back of the final green, rolling his approach putt stone dead.

Runners-up Lucas and Payne collected 75 points, while there was a three-way tie for third with Tony Varney (Bawburgh)and Nick Lamb, Ian Ellis (Great Yarmouth and Caister) and Blair Ainslie alongside Robert Brightman (Millbrook) and Nathan Day on 74 points.