Footgolf star Pele Hayden dominated the first footgolf tournament of the year at Stonham Barns with seven birdies and an eagle on the 2,640 course. He achieved a nine under par score of 49.
Daren Wheat was runner-up with six-under par 52. One shot further back was Ian Plumb who scored 53. The junior prize was won by 13-year-old Bailey Rosier who had level par 58 with Charlie Tranter in second with 61. Charlie had a hole in one.
This event was the first of eight monthly tournaments at the Stonham Barns which are open to anyone regardless of experience.
The next event will be held on Sunday, April 24 at 2.00pm. The entry is £10 for adults and £5 for juniors.
Footgolf has really taken off in the UK. It is the fastest growing sport in the country with more than 200 clubs now open. The Suffolk footgolf course at Stonham Barns was one of the first to open in 2013. The sport is available at Fynn Valley. High Lodge (near Darsham) will be re-opening soon).
Stonham Barns run eight junior golf tournaments to give youngsters the opportunity to experience competitive golf in a relaxed environment. The events are open to any girl or boys aged between four and 15, whatever their ability.
The events are usually the last Sunday of each month from April to November and include the Stonham Junior Flag Tournament in May, the East Anglian Under 12 Junior Golf Championship in June and the Stonham Barns Players Championship in November.
These events require entry in advance. Juniors can turn up on the day for the other events and play nine holes between 10am and 1pm. Tony Dobson, PGA professional, who runs the Junior Academy at Stonham Barns, aims to encourage more junior golfers to take up the game.
Stonham Barns features Big Hole Golf which is designed to make golf quicker, more fun with fewer putts. The holes are almost twice as large as a regular golf hole.
- The Suffolk PGA Winter League ended with Neil Mitchell and Brad Wilkins tied at the top of the table. The best two rounds from a possible five events counted. Both had a lowest score of 69.
Twenty-one players took part in events at Aldeburgh, Southwold, Rushmere, Felixstowe Ferry and Royal Worlington.
Scores in the final event at Royal Worlington were: 69: Mitchell. 72: Will Farley. 73: Patrick Spraggs. 74: Adam Trett, Tim Cooper. 76: Ollie Rush. 77: Lawrence Dodd, Wilkins, Alex Davey. 78: Stuart Robertson. 79: Robert Joyce, Keith Preston. 80: Tony Dobson and Richard Beadles.
SPGA order of merit standings for season end after Dell Bower pro-am at Hintlesham on May 11 for which the entry fee is £180 per team.
The top eight qualify for SPGA match play at Diss on October 9 and 10. The top three, of those available, will represent Suffolk in PGA England and Wales Inter County East qualifier at Bush Hill Park on July 25.
Suffolk, represented by Lawrence Dodd, Kevin Earp and Peter Latimer won the inaugural event at The Belfry in 2013.
Leaders in the Suffolk PGA order of merit: 45 points: Mitchell, 396: Wilkins. 251.5 Cooper. 158: Farley. 143: Latimer. 125: Joe Cardy. 120: Andrew Collison. 113: Beadles.
The Chauffeur Services KO Cup has reached the quarter-finals. Early round matches saw some tight games with some notable ‘scalps’ for James Markham, Tim Cooper and Will Farley over Phil Westley, Keith Preston and Brad Wilkins.
Quarter-final (to be played by May 5): Markham v Mitchell. Simon Reeve v Joe Cardy. Ollie Rush or Lawrence Dodd v Tim Cooper, Andrew Robinson v Will Farley.
Alex Lucas of Ipswich Golf Centre and amateur partner Sean Payne of Rushmere took fourth place in the PGA in England East three-round pro-am in Portugal. They led on the first day with a round of 71 at Belas. Rounds of 79 at Estoril and 78 at Penha Longa dropped then four shots off the pace. Joint winners were Matthew Stables (Rivenhall Oaks) and Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor).
The final Felixstowe Ferry four ball event of the winter season was called off because of fog which did not lift until after mid-day.
Jamie Abbott (Ipswich) was tied ninth in the PGA Europro final qualifier at Frilford Heath with rounds of 71 69 71. He was one shot off the lead after two rounds. Hugo Dobson (Woodbridge), but who lives near Luton, was tied 13th with 70 69 72. Suffolk’s third contender, Chris Soanes of Rookery Park, missed the cut by one shot with rounds of 75 and 73.
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