Rob Pritchard wins Suffolk strokeplay

Rob Pritchard of Cretingham Golf Club became Suffolk PGA strokeplay champion for the second time in four years with victory in the Mallinson Cup at Rushmere.

Both Pritchard, left, and second placed Lawrence Dodd, right, equalled the professional course record of 66 in the second round, but Pritchard was one-over-par in the morning and Dodd was two-over, giving him a one shot win. Pritchard’s previous victory was at Aldeburgh in 2011.

The original round of 66 was set in 2002 by Alex Sandeman, now a professional at the Westmoreland Club in Barbados, when the Rushmere course was officially three yards shorter.

Pritchard was three-over after four holes after lunch but then had two birdies to be one over at the turn. His back nine included three birdies and an eagle at the par-five 16^th hole.

After the opening round Richard Beadles (Royal Worlington) and Patrick Spraggs (Woodbridge) were joint leaders on one-under-par 69. Spraggs, a former Suffolk Open champion when an amateur at Stowmarket, ruined his chances with a nine at the first while Beadles slipped down the leader board with a second round of 73.

Chris Smith of Fynn Valley, a former Suffolk PGA champion, took third place with 141, one-over-par on the day, with fourth place being shared by former Rushmere amateur Andrew Robinson, now head professional at Southwold, and Beadles.

The Dell Bower Suffolk Assistants’ Championship was held in conjunction with the county matchplay. The winner was Dodd by 10 shots from joint runners-up Adam Trett (Bury Golf Range), Brad Wilkins (Ipswich Golf Centre) and Spraggs who represented Europe against the United States in the Palmer Cup at Royal Portrush in 2010.