The Suffolk Junior Championship day consists of 3 events in one. Alongside the main 36 hole stroke play championship there is an 18 hole Stableford event and the 36 hole Girls Championship run in conjunction with the SLGA.

The two 36 hole events got onto the golf course first with Patrick Coffey defending the boys championship but unfortunately girls champion Jasmine Points wasn’t available to defend this year.

It was Dylan Cook that got off to the fastest start in this years event and completed his first round in -1 to give him an early clubhouse lead. Patrick’s defence didn’t get off to the strongest start as he shot +4 but a very strong level par 70 from Johnathan Points saw him just one shot off Dylans lead. Just as it seemed the two at the top would be battling the afternoon out, news filtered through that 13 year old, 9 handicapper, Edward Cobbold was on the 15th -2!! Two more pars and a bogey to finish meant Edward joined Dylan at -1. A nett 59, what an achievement.

Meanwhile in the girls event, Shannon Noble of Ipswich Golf Club looked to be running away with it. Her 78 saw her 9 shots clear of Abigail Hope and Josie Knights who’d certainly be looking to create a charge in the afternoon.

At this point in the day the 18 hole Stableford players where finishing up and there had been some fantastic scoring. Two fantastic 40 point scores from Finlay Mayhew and Josh Challicom needed to be separated by count back where Finlay came out on top and collected the second prize. It was Jack Johnson though who finished way out in front with an incredible 47 points! Well played Jack.

Back out in the afternoon and Dylans lead was wobbling, by the time they’d got half way through the back 9 Patrick had reeled him all the way back in and by the time they’d finished it was Patrick who was the clubhouse leader with +4 for the day. Soon after that Johnathan joined him on the same score and now they’d sit back and see if anyone could beat them.

The girls afternoon got off to an exciting start with Abigail making her charge with a -1 front 9 and the come back was on. Shannon however did manage to fend her off throughout the back 9 and finished strongly to claim this years Girls Junior Championship. A great result for Shannon, well done.

Back out onto the course with the boys and Edward Cobbold who’d taken the morning by storm with his 69. His front 9 had taken him to +4 for the event and whilst it looked as though his form was falling away, this was great golf from a 13 year old 9 handicapper. The Bury St Eds junior had the task of shooting another amazing even par back 9 to join Patrick and Johnathan in the play off and that is exactly what he did. Fantastic! Taking the event to a 3 way playoff!

After discussion with our head referee, Trevor Mason, it was decided the playoff would go down the 10th and back up the 18th until we had a winner. On the first playoff hole Edward found a little bit of trouble down the left and made a bogey whilst Patrick and Johnathan made regulation pars seeing Edward eliminated. One suspects we may see more of him though. Onto 18 and both players hit huge drives down the left hand side. Johnathan played first hitting a solid wedge to 20 feet. Patrick in a slightly thicker lie couldn’t quite get the strike and found himself in a green side bunker where he couldn’t quite make up and down. Johnathan now had two putts to become 2026 Junior Champion and he made no mistake. Congratulations Johnathan.

Of course there was also a nett champion on the day too. A couple of brilliantly compiled rounds of golf from Reece Edwards with a pair of nett 67s saw him scoop up the nett championship. Great work Reece.

What a great day of golf. Well done to all the juniors involved - we can’t wait to see more of what you have to offer.