Around the golf clubs

Two of the men’s senior teams both recorded welcome victories last weekend.

In the Suffolk Golf Union Parks Trophy played at Gorleston, the team squeezed to victory by the narrowest of margins.

The team’s reward is a home draw in round three when Ufford Park will be the visitors.

Whilst this match was being played, a second senior side was at Caister for the first leg of the annual Pethebridge Trophy contest and the Gorleston players recorded a 4�-3� victory to bring home for the second leg later in the summer.

This victory means that all three teams – ladies’, men’s and seniors – have recorded away victories against their Caister opponents in their respective first leg matches.

Members of the club playing in the Suffolk Amateur Championships had a disappointing day in damp conditions at Hintlesham Hall, with only John Maddock in 16th place qualifying for a tilt at the Matchplay contest for the President’s Mashie at the same venue this weekend.

The Famous Grouse medal foursomes was played on Saturday with victory being claimed by Richard Reynolds and Mike Haylett with a score of nett 72 despite having to record a score of 10 at the 16th hole.

The prestigious Grouse Trophy, sponsored by The Famous Grouse Company for the 26th year, was presented by club captain Gerry Eagling.

Centenary Cup winner Ray Thomson was delighted to see his name freshly engraved on the trophy this week.

In the ladies’ section, Penny Platten recorded a superb nett 64 for victory in the Win Merchant Salver, finishing seven shots ahead of runner-up Barbara Lewis.

On the professional front, club member Alex Holmes makes the journey this week to Devon to compete in the third tournament of the Europro series at Bovey Castle and will be hoping to put the disappointment of failing to make the cut at Burhill last week firmly behind him.

On the home course both ladies and men are able to compete for the Havard Cup in the medal competition tomorrow while the men have their monthly stableford on Sunday.

Caister Golf Club

Local school teacher, Chris Pearson, used the condition of the course to return an excellent bogey score of plus five and take the much coveted Young Challenge Cup. The magnificent trophy was first presented to Great Yarmouth and Caister Golf Club in 1893.

Chris also received a long over-due two-shot handicap cut. Only three other competitors beat the course with Mick Noble being runner-up with plus two, closely followed by Darren Aldred and Graham Fairchild with plus one.

The club are currently offering an excellent membership deal until the end of September. Details can be obtained from the secretary.

The second round of the club’s Handicap Championship was contested by a tough field in even tougher conditions on Sunday.

The difficult wind did not, however, stop Kevin Twose (11) from returning a nett 71 to add to his previous round 72 to take the Lindsay Cup (presented to the club in 1901) by two shots from James Ollington (4) with a score of 74 and 71.

Other leading scorers were Alex Fellas (4) 72 and 73; Steven Greatrex (6) 71 and 74 and Rodney Becket (16) 79 and 68. This coming Sunday, the Club Captain, John Tweed, hosts his Captain’s Day.

Great Yarmouth and Caister Golf Club Ladies’ Section

The ladies had a very closely-contested medal competition on Tuesday with four of them all on the same net score of 73. The winner of the Gussie Beck Cup, on count back, was Jeni Rose: her three rivals being Ann Green, Sue Allen and Glenda Winn who were second, third and fourth respectively.

The club is looking forward to their Ladies’ Open AmAm next week (Thursday, June 23) when at least 16 different golf clubs will be represented. Anyone interested in entering this competition should contact the club secretary on 01493 728699.

Caldecott Hall Golf and Leisure

The Past Captain’s competition was held on June 12 and the day started fine and warm but soon the wind began to blow quite strongly making the course very taxing but some very good scores were returned.

Two juniors, Sam Beer (junior captain) playing off 10 and Josh Neil playing off 18, ruled the day and both returned cards of net 68, only being separated only by count back. Sam Beer won the day.

Caldecott Hall Seniors won an exciting second-round tie against Mundesley in the Norfolk County Barnard Trophy.

Caldecott, 14 holes up at the turn, were pegged back by a spirited recovery from Mundesley but held on to win by four holes.

Results (Caldecott names first): Dave Newton & Dave Hansen defeated Dave Crosby & Dave Craske by 2 holes, Dave Juler & John Banham defeated Pat Kerrison & Jim McQuattie by 1 hole, Mike Payne & Terry Davies finished all square with John Asheton & John Whitby, Brian Brister & Keith Townsend defeated Dave Briggs & Mick Millard by 1 hole.

Caldecott now travel to Hunstanton in the next round on July 6.

All the club wish a speedy recovery to Dave Juler following his accident on Thursday.