Hooper makes late charge

Mark Hooper of Rayleigh Golf Range won the inaugural Ingrebourne Links Par Three Championship after carding birdies at three of his final four holes.

He ended the tournament with a three-under-par round of 24 over nine holes to collect the first prize of £1,000.

Six players finished at two-under-par to share the other £1,000 in the prize fund. They were Stephen Harris (Harpenden), Richard Herring (Orsett), Samuel Chapple (Ashford Manor), Darren Turner (Ingrebourne Links), Mark Stokes (Rayleigh Golf Range) and Ian Ellis (Costessey Park).

Chapple dropped a shot at the last while Ellis, in the final group, was three-under with three to play but slipped up at the seventh. His birdie putts at the final two holes were just off line.

This new par-three course, described by designer Alan Walker as a “mini links”, provided a tricky test for the professionals who enjoyed the challenge provided by small undulating greens similar to the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon.

The course already has a 30-bay driving range in place and 27 championship holes should be completed in the next three years.

Owner and event sponsor John Pryor said: “I am so pleased the professionals enjoyed the course. We will be staging another par-three championship next year and are considering making it over 18 holes.”

Ingrebourne Links Golf Complex is also sponsoring the PGA in England East Autumn Classic at Aldeburgh and Thorpeness on October 3 and 4.