Latimer’s emphatic Trophy victory

Felixstowe Ferry assistant Peter Latimer won first prize in the biennial Millennium Trophy, an event open to Norfolk PGA and Suffolk PGA Professionals and held at Weston Park.

The former Scottish amateur international was the only player to break par on the day. His two rounds of 70 left him four clear of Ian Ellis (Great Yarmouth and Caister) with Ben Kerr (West Suffolk Golf Centre) taking third place, six shots off the pace.

Latimer, a member of the Suffolk team which won last year’s inaugural SkyCaddie PGA of England and Wales Inter-County championship, gained a measure of consolation after missing out on qualification for the Powerade PGA Assistants’ final at Coventry in June. He said: “I was striking the ball nicely all day. I have found a bit of form.”

Ellis, who won the trophy after a play-off with Neil Mitchell (Bury Golf Range) at Hintlesham two years ago, will be travelling to Wentworth on Sunday to prepare for next week’s BMW PGA  Championship.

He will be taking 17-year-old Dylan Green as his caddie at Wentworth. Green is a two-handicap player from Costessey Park who made his debut for the Norfolk county second team against Lincolnshire last weekend.

The Millennium Trophy was introduced in 2000 with both counties putting £1000 into the prize fund. Former winners in the field included Neil Mitchell (Bury Golf Range) who took fourth place after being Latimer’s nearest challenger after a level par opening round. Three-time former winner Tony Varney (Bawburgh) had to settle for joint ninth.