Thorpeness won the Parks Trophy, the Suffolk Golf Union inter-club knock-out for lower handicap players, for the third time in their history. Their other successes came in 2002, the inaugural year of the event, and again in 2006.
They scored an overwhelming 17-hole victory over Rushmere at Ipswich on a sunny day with a chilly breeze.
There was not much in it for the first five holes although word of Tony Mardon’s eagle at the second spread around the course.
A splendid drive was followed by a three-iron to within a foot of the pin. It must have been a huge boost for Thorpeness.
His partner, Mick Cook, who played in the 2006 success over Aldeburgh, made his shots count. They beat Alan Middle and Graham Hurren by four holes. Middle’s long putt on the fifth was his highlight.
The top match was close all the way. Richard Newton, Thorpeness club president and Suffolk Senior champion in 2004, and Mick Ford were ahead for the first time after the 17th and held on for victory against Tom Howard and Glyn Chaplin.
Jon Last and Robert Ayrton were exchanging holes with Peter Robinson and Ray Smith until pressing on the accelerator towards the end to win by two.
The final match saw Peter Cooney and David Brown in unstoppable form. They ran away with their match against Charlie Maskell and Roger Baird, two Rushmere Hambro players of yesteryear.
There was a good following of supporters from both clubs and the match was played in an excellent spirit.
Parks Trophy final
Thorpeness beat Rushmere by 17 holes at Ipswich.
Thorpeness names first: Richard Newton and Mick Ford beat Tom Howard and Glyn Chaplin by one hole; Jon Last and Robert Ayrton beat Peter Robinson and Ray Smith by two holes; Tony Mardon and Mick Cook beat Alan Middle and Graham Hurren by four holes; Peter Cooney and David Brown beat Charlie Maskell and Roger Baird by 10 holes.
MEANWHILE Haverhill won the Beaumont Trophy against holders Bury St Edmunds by nine holes at Stowmarket in windy conditions. The event is for seniors with handicaps between 13 and 20.
Andrew Cornish and Tom Harrison had a six-hole win. John Levey and Malcolm Robinson finished four up.
Beaumont Trophy final
Haverhill beat Bury St Edmunds by nine holes.
At Stowmarket (Haverhill names first):
Eric Kiddle and Nick Bailey beat Colin Gray and Steve Beahan by one hole, Andrew Cornish and Tom Harrison beat John Mecham and Alex Clarke by six holes, Steve Nichols and Dennis White lost to Stewart Chapman and Simon Loughe by two holes, Malcolm Robinson and John Levey beat Steve Finch and Garry Clarke by four holes.
HABEBUL Islam once again showed great consistency to take third place, beaten for runner-up spot on count back, in the English Champion Club tournament at Huddersfield over the weekend.
He had rounds of one under par 70 followed by 71. Ipswich Golf Club finished in eighth place. James Tyler had rounds of 73 and 77. Sam Byford had 78 and 79. The winning team was Castle Royle from BB&O.
AFTER winning the South Eastern Group U16 East league Suffolk head to the The Dyke Golf Club to play in the South Eastern Group final on Sunday against Hertfordshire and Hampshire.
The Suffolk team is: George Austin, Taylor Crisp, George Fricker, Josh Goulton, James Iron, Ben Newman, Ryan Turnbull and Max Weaver (captain). Team manager Jim Harrison.
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