Triumph for Barnham Broom pair

Alex Beckett (second right) and his 14-handicap amateur partner Simon Gill (second left) from Barnham Broom won the Ingrebourne Links PGA Autumn Classic held over two days at Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.

The Norfolk pair won on countback from Andrew Thorpe (Peterborough Milton) and five-handicap Adrian Randall. Both pairs had 74 Stableford points but the Norfolk pair had 37 on the better ball round on the second day.

Thorpe and Randall were overnight leaders with two-under-par 38 points from the Greensomes round at Aldeburgh but had only 36 on the second day.

Third place went to Liam Clarke of Windwhistle GC and six-handicap Shaun Hearmon. Clarke is a former East Region player who was attached to West Middlesex before being appointed as head professional in Somerset. They beat Andrew George (Ely City) and Mick Munnelly on count back with 73 points.

Best second round better ball score was 41 points from Ollie Rush (Haverhill) and nine-handicap Mike Duley. Rush was deputising for his head professional Paul Wilby who had a back injury.

Sponsors John Pryor and his wife Julie (pictured above), representing the new Ingrebourne Links golf complex at Rainham, both played in the tournament which they said they would be supporting again next year. John Pryor plays off eight and his wife off 14.

An occasional shower on the second day and a tricky wind made conditions difficult but the greens at Thorpeness were in exceptional condition.