Bury St Edmunds Golf Club member, Alice Barlow has secured her Fourth successive Suffolk Matchplay title to become County Champion, after defeating her team mate Lottie Whyman in the final at Ipswich Golf Club.

The 36 hole stroke play element was cut down to 18 holes because of torrential rain which turned the course into a boating lake.  Alice was well placed with a level par round of 73 but Lottie Whyman secured the Strokeplay championship with a three under par 70.

Alice said she was over the moon to win for the fourth year running. And thought she was going home in the quarter final on Saturday afternoon against Abbie Symonds where she was two down with two to play and somehow found an eagle on 18 with a 35 foot putt to take it to extra holes and won with a birdie on the 21st hole ”

In the Final Alice raced into a five hole lead with Whyman not at her normal best as Alice played solid golf. Whyman secured a half at 6, both had a birdie at seven for half but a wayward drive by Whyman at 8 let Barlow have a 7 hole lead after nine holes, which has probably never been seen in a Suffolk final before. Two halves at 10 and 11 and Whyman’s approach at 12 was good enough for a birdie to take it down 13 when Barlow made her first error of judgment on the greens and Whyman was back to 5 down. Two cracking drives down 14 saw Barlow execute a great second to 12 feet and the match was as good as over with Whyman having to win the hole.  Final result Barlow wins 6 & 4.

Alice was also happy to see a few juniors enter the competition this year and some coming to support. I am hoping a few more will be up for it next year.

Runner-up:- Lottie Whyman (Aldeburgh)

Semi Finalists: – Sharon Luckman (Ipswich), Lils James (Bungay.

Stokeplay

Winner:- Lottie Whyman (Aldeburgh) Gross 70

Runner-up Alice Barlow (Bury St Edmunds) Gross 73

1st Nett – Georgia Parker ocb

2nd Nett – Lottie Whyman

Seniors Championships

Winner:- Debbie Jary (Bungay)

Runner-Up:- Jenny Howlett (Gorleston)

Semi Finalists:- Linda Whybrow (Felixstowe), Elizabeth Bezance (Bury St Edmunds)

Stokeplay

Winner:- Debbie Jary (Bungay) Gross 40

Runner-up Elizabeth Bezance (Bury St Edmunds) Gross 41

Lowest Nett Elizabeth Bazance 35.5

Hole in one – Lils James on the 3rd