SEVEN-handicap Sam Buxton from Stoke by Nayland produced a net eagle at the 17th at Stowmarket to help his team to a one-shot victory in the third Suffolk Winter Alliance meeting of the season on Sunday.

By Tony Garnett

SEVEN-handicap Sam Buxton from Stoke by Nayland produced a net eagle at the 17th at Stowmarket to help his team to a one-shot victory in the third Suffolk Winter Alliance meeting of the season on Sunday.

A good drive, an accurate four-iron and a single putt were vital to a 12-under par total of 126 in the pro-am, am-am medal in teams of four.

His playing partners were 10-handicap Dick Chalmers, 16-handicap Billy Thompson and 17-handicap Rob Brown.

They were among the earlier starters on a day blessed by glorious sunshine after a frosty start. Two teams were hot on their heels but missed out by one.

Runners-up with 127 were from Bungay. Former professional Richard Whyte, Hambro Cup player Robert Long, Mike Gibson and Mark Ashurst had a better back nine than Kevin Earp, the professional from the Bury Golf Range, Paul Presland and Trevor Holley from Stowmarket and Daragh Whelan from Haverhill.

Earp had an excellent day. He was leading professional with two under par 67 which included four birdies on his back nine. Steven Moye of Haverhill, now a fully qualified professional, had a round of 70. Rob Pritchard of Stonham Barns was third with 75.

The fourth team was led by Tom Everett, who has just turned professional at Stoke by Nayland with Alliance regulars Roger Toone, Tim Lunness and Kevin Hume.

Quality golf came from Jamie Abbott, Will Wright, Tom Wright and Chris Smith who finished on 133 with only Tom getting the very occasional shot.

The next meeting will be at Fynn Valley on Sunday, November 4. Alliance secretary Phil Segger is concerned that some entry forms might have gone astray during the postal strike and invites anyone unsure of whether their entry has been received to contact him (tel. 01473 727525).

Leading scores

126: Dick Chalmers, Billy Thompson, Sam Buxton, Rob Brown (all Stoke by Nayland).

127: Richard Whyte, Mike Gibson, Robert Long, Mark Ashworth (all Bungay) on count back from Kevin Earp (Bury Golf Range), Paul Presland, Trevor Holley (both Stowmarket), Daragh Whelan (Haverhill).

132: Tom Everett, Roger Toone (both Stoke by Nayland), Tim Lunness and Kevin Hume (both Ipswich).

133: Ian Carter, Cyril Williams, Steve Murphy, Stephen Clark (Stoke by Nayland); Paul McGarr, Jim Thomson, Wayne Penman, Mark Pickup (Haverhill), Will Wright, Tom Wright (both Rushmere), Jamie Abbott, Chris Smith (both Fynn Valley); Steve Coonan, Ash Boother, David Boother, Cameron Brown (Waldringfield).

Professionals: Kevin Earp 67, Steven Moye 70, Rob Pritchard 75, Tom Everett 76, Richard Davies (Halesworth) 77, Tony Dobson (Stonham Barns) 78, Ollie Rush (Newton Green) no return.