Mitchell retains trophy

Neil Mitchell of Bury Golf Range retained the Suffolk PGA Town and Country Cars Cup after beating Phil Westley (Hintlesham) 4 and 2 in the final at Felixstowe Ferry.

A key moment came on the 11^th green when Mitchell, above right with (l-r) Phil Westley and sponsor Stephen Gray, sunk a 20-foot putt to secure a half and stay two up. He never looked back after that and closed the match with a birdie at the par-three 16^th.

The semi-finals were played in the morning. Andrew Robinson (Southwold) was leading Mitchell early on but a wayward drive at the 15^th left the initiative with Mitchell who went on to win 2 and 1.

In the other match Ben Kerr (West Suffolk Golf Centre) was three down early on against the left-handed Westley. He pulled it back to all square but Westley was one up on the 18^th tee and went on to win.

Mitchell was Cumbrian amateur champion in 1995 when he played at Penrith. He is only the second player to win this Suffolk matchplay event twice. The other is Richard Davies, head professional at Halesworth, who did not enter this year.

Early rounds of this matchplay event were played in the spring. There were some cliff-hangers. Robinson beat Simon Reeve of Aldeburgh, both former Rushmere amateurs, at the third extra hole in the first round. Mitchell beat Paul Wilby (Haverhill) at the 21^st in the quarter-finals.