Simon Byford’s golf column: Praise for on-course staff, events at Haverhill, Stowmarket and The Suffolk plus a Tyler Weaver and Nellie Ong update
Despite the inclement weather there has been plenty of activity in the local golfing scene.
This week we round up the best of the action and look at some of our overseas players’ recent progression.
Firstly, a word towards the fantastic on-course staff who keep our golf clubs open and playable for us. There would be no competitions and no write-up without them. A simple hello and thank you goes a long way when you see the greenkeeping team out and about.
Haverhill GC
The Haverhill Men’s section held two qualifying competitions this past week.
First up was a midweek Stableford and it was a tie at the top of the leaderboard which meant The Count had to step in and decide the winner.
Countback is calculated on the best back 9 score, and if that is tied it goes to the best last 6 holes, then 3,2,1 in order to give a winner.
Terry Archer was the fortunate one ahead of Michael Bennett on this occasion, with the pair both scoring 37 points. Paul Smith was third on 36 points.
Last Sunday also saw the Men’s Monthly Stableford contested. Rob Burleigh was first with 38 points, and again The Count had to step in to decide the placings.
This time Kieron Bailey prevailed over David Pipe as they both returned 37 points.
Stowmarket GC
The Stowmarket Men also held a Midweek Stableford competition across three divisions, as is the norm at Stowmarket.
In Division 1 Andy Grogan topped the charts with 37 points, while Matt Lockwood was second with 34 and Steve Ribbon third on 28.
Division 2 had the round of the day with Dale Nibloe winning the Division on 37 points, followed by Nobby Clarke in second on 36 and Michael Hill in third with 34.
Division 3 saw Melvyn Clarke beat off the competition with 33 points. Stephen Brown was second on 30 and Liam Carroll third on 27.
The Suffolk GC
As we have come to expect at The Suffolk, there was once again a myriad of competitions played last week.
We start with a Seniors Stableford, which was won by Alexander MacCormick on 34 points. Neil Mawson was second on 31 and Kieron Watson third on 30.
Next up was a Midweek Stableford, during which Rob Kennedy posted 36 points and he duly topped the leaderboard. James Laflin chipped in for second place on 34 and Brian Hay took third on 32.
The next day saw the Seniors at it again, and it was Eric Gray this time prevailing on 36 points. Kieron Watson had to settle for second with 32 by virtue of The Count from Rob Kennedy, also on 32.
Then it was the turn of the weekend golfers to try their hand at Stableford. Saturday saw John Pritchard roll back the years to score a very credible 37 points. This was good enough for a three-shot margin of victory over Warren Howell on 34 and Tom Riethoff on 33.
Howell exacted his revenge the very next day, however, scoring 38 points to win the Sunday edition of the Stableford. Mick Davey was second on 36 points and Terry Hall third on 34.
Tyler Weaver & Nellie Ong
We are very lucky to have two local golfers rapidly improving their games on the US Collegiate scene and we will be following their progress again this year.
Tyler Weaver currently sits 62nd in the World Amateur rankings, and in his most recent event – The Jones Cup – he finished a credible 12th.
Held at The Ocean Forest Course, Tyler recovered from a 75, 74 first two rounds to post a final round 70 to climb the leaderboard.
Nellie Ong has also broken into the top 100 amateurs in the world – she is currently placed 80th.
Following her third place finish in South America, Nellie again finished well in the Therese Hession Challenge and being 21st from over 80 competitors will do nothing to harm her ranking.
To be able to study and get this valuable tournament experience will hopefully stand them in good stead for everything that is still to come for them in 2025.
And a final word from the kind sponsor of this column, Matt Alderton Professional Golf Shop. Based at Bury St Edmunds Golf Club, there is currently and exciting winter sale under way.
There is an end-of-line demonstration and brand new hardware, including Ping G430, Titleist TSR and Calaway AI Smoke drivers from just £249.
There is also special offers on clothing with up to 50 per cent off retail prices to be had.
Finally they are offering the 2024 Titleist Pro V1 & Pro V1x at just £30 per dozen while stocks last.
With all these savings, the new 2025 lines just added, golf simulator and putting green within the pro shop, there will surely be something to improve your golfing enjoyment in the coming year.
Open seven days a week, pop in at your leisure (quote Bury Free Press too!) and see what they can do for you. Have a great golfing week.
