Sheppard and Hardie hold on for victory

The Marston’s Beer Company Summer Classic at Royal Cromer (Greensome Stableford) and Sheringham (better ball Stableford) proved to be a triumph for Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club who claimed the top two places.

Director of Golf Simon Sheppard and his five-handicap amateur partner Andy Hardie started the second round with a three point lead. They produced steady better ball golf in breezy conditions to stay on top of the leader board.

Runners-up on count back, three points behind, were Ben Cooper and his father Stephen. Third place went to Ian Ellis (Costessey Park) and Brad Smith. Last year Ellis won the event with Randy Reynolds.

Sheppard, after praising both courses, said: “We have been trying to win this for the past four years so it’s a nice feeling now that we have done so.”

The three pairs in fourth place were a further five point behind. They were George Howard of Brampton Park and Carol Infanti, Ryan Pudney of Mundesley and Chris Hills and Mark Stokes of Rayleigh Golf Range with Dom Adams.

The best score at Sheringham was 45 points from Darren Charlton of Dunstable Downs and Ash Adams. They were too far behind on the first day mount a challenge.

It was fitting that Richard Saunders, representing sponsors Marston’s, should win the prize for being nearest the pin on the par three sixth hole. Mr Saunders said that Marston’s had previously been involved with sponsorship in the west region but, coming from Norfolk himself, he was very pleased to be involved with the east region.