A COMBINATION of local knowledge and consistency resulted in Simon Clark becoming one of the few golfers to successfully defend the Norfolk Amateur Championship title.

A COMBINATION of local knowledge and consistency resulted in Simon Clark becoming one of

the few golfers to successfully defend the Norfolk Amateur Championship title.

Playing on his home course at Great Yarmouth and Caister, Clark set up his victory with a two under par opening round of 68. He followed this with three successive 71s to score a one over par total of 281 - 10 shots ahead of his nearest challenger.

This was achieved with a consistent display of straight driving and good approach play that none of the other competitors could match. It meant that Clark, who had waited 17 years to win the championship for the first time, became one of the select few to retain the title.

The first victory in 2008 was at Royal West Norfolk but this year Clark was playing a course that he says he knows “like the back of my hand”.

“I was pleased with the way I played,” said Clark. “It was solid. I didn't hit too many bad shots and in the end it was fairly comfortable.”