JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was a grey, wet and windy day for the Suffolk Junior Championship. Aldeburgh Golf Club presents an ultimate golfing challenge on any day so today was always going to be a real test for the boys and girls coming together to take part.

There were three tournaments in one here. The Mckenzie Cup would be won by the player with the lowest scratch strokeplay score through 36 holes. An 18 hole Stableford event running for younger players and the SGU have once again teamed up with the Suffolk Ladies County Golf Association to run the girls championship alongside the boys. Well done to county secretary Paddy Lockwood and his team for running a big day with many intricacies so well.

The 36 hole championship started first, nice and early and in the worst of the weather. The gruelling conditions meant scoring was higher than usual but none the less impressive. Amongst the front runners at lunch time were defending champion Patrick Coffey, James Sadler from Purdis and Flempton member Jack Rust. Leading at lunchtime though was George Swallow, his 78 at Aldeburgh in the conditions was very respectable. For the girls, Melissa Coffey lead the way with 79 and would surely be hard to catch.

At this point the 18 hole Stableford competition was coming to an end. For a long time there was a tie of 6 players on 31 points which would have had the countback mathematicians scratching their heads. Relief for them though when Charlie Whiteman posted an impressive 37 points. Still, 37 wouldn’t quite do as, incredibly, David Coffey of Woodbridge GC defied odds and elements to score 43 points. Well done David.

Whilst the presentation took place for the Stableford Champions, the stroke players got back to business. Melissa Coffey was looking strong in the girls event but her playing partner Josie Knights was hunting her down. For the boys, Jack Rust had a strong front 9 ending with a 40 foot putt dropping to nearly draw level with George Swallow. James Sadler was the first to hold a strong clubhouse lead, being in the hutch with 162 felt good with the weather still showing very little improvement. Soon though Bailee Taylor had pipped him by two and was now the one being hunted. By this time Josie Knights had turned the screw, she shot a day best 76 to clinch the girls championship in style from Melissa Coffey who proved very tough to beat. Well played Josie. For the boys, it all came down to the last hole. Jack and George stood on the 18th tee tied. After two fine tee shots, Georges second was unlucky to find some long grass and meant a nearly impossible up and down. So Jack Rust had two putts from 25 feet be be crowned boys champion and he made no mistake. Great work Jack.

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