FORMER SCOTLAND CAP LATIMER RUNNER-UP IN SUFFOLK PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

 

Sponsor Detmar Hackman of Sabona Rheumatic Relief Company presents the Mallinson Cup to new Suffolk PGA stroke play champion Kevin Earp at Southwold. Third-placed Lawrence Dodd (left) and runner-up Peter Latimer (right) were also both below par over 36 holes.

Kevin Earp of Bury Golf Range won the Mallinson Cup as the 2012 Suffolk PGA stroke play champion with rounds of 69 and 67 at Southwold to put him four under par for the tournament. He collected the first prize of £1000 as his reward for some marvellous golf.
He held off a strong challenge from former Scottish amateur international Peter Latimer of Felixstowe Ferry and former England amateur international Lawrence Dodd of Bury Golf Range.
Latimer, who played in the Home internationals in 2010, has started his PGA training under Robert Joyce at Felixstowe. He finished one shot behind Earp and watched as the winner sank a five-foot pressure putt for birdie on the final hole to clinch victory.
Dodd, the Suffolk Open Champion with plenty of experience at top level, was two shots behind Earp. He was in the same group as Latimer which provided compelling viewing as they battled it out with little to choose between them.
Earp was first-round leader with 69 with Latimer and Dodd both signing for level par 70. It was good competitive golf on a nine-hole course which received plaudits from everyone. 

It was one of the best Suffolk PGA championships since the silver trophy was presented in 1927.

Earp was out in 33 in the morning with three birdies and one dropped shot. He was one over on his second nine.

There was better still to come from Earp in the afternoon. He was out in 33 once again. When he dropped a shot at the par-five 15th a play-off looked on the cards with Latimer and Dodd matching each other shot for shot in the group in front.
Latimer saw a long putt at the 16th hover on the lip and he and Dodd went into the final two holes locked together at two under par. At the 17th, one of the biggest tests of the Southwold course, Latimer sunk a stunning 40-foot birdie putt to ease ahead of Dodd who had to settle for par.
At the last Latimer was on the green but well short of the pin. Dodd had a 10-foot putt to draw level but it just missed.
Latimer’s putting was at times sensational while Dodd’s ball-striking was top class. Both were helped by knowlegable caddies, Felixstowe Stenson Shield player Jimmy Price with Latimer and Suffolk county second team regular Dean Fairweather with Dodd.
Alex Lucas of Waldringfield, who has played far less tournament golf than in the past, was a commendable fourth with two consistent rounds of one over par 71.
Stuart Robertson of Ufford Park took fifth place with the help of a level par second round of 70 that included birdies on three of the five par-threes with pars on the other two.

Sixth place was shared by Andrew Collison, the head professional and secretary at Bungay and Waveney Valley Golf Club, and Chris Smith of Fynn Valley. Both already have their names engraved on the Mallinson Cup.

Paul Wilby of Haverhill, chairman of Suffolk PGA and captain of PGA East Region, was among those in contention with a level par opening round. His second round of 75 saw him slip to eighth place.

Matt Ransome, making a name for himself teaching at Seckford, had a right to be pleased with his rounds of 73 and 74 which was matched by Aldeburgh’s Keith Preston who started his second round with three successive birdies.