Haverhill Golf club had done the most spectacular job preparing their course perfectly for our Seniors Championship, sadly there was nothing they could do about the weather. By mid morning the rain was heavy and set in. Some of the very early starters got the slightly better deal with the weather and one man in particular took advantage, that was Ian Woodhead who shot a +4 (74) to take an early clubhouse lead. Ian would have a long afternoon now waiting to see who could challenge that score but as he watched the rain get heavier, his score looked better and better.

As the later scores started to come in, there was some very commendable ones. Graham Tait overcame a triple bogey on his 2nd hole for a 76 and Simon Bearman matched that to also be just two away. Stephen Duffety now of Ipswich, carded an impressive 75 in the downpour but that was still one shy of the now dry clubhouse leader. But then, absolutely soaked through, there was one man who could match Woodhead's 74 and that is exactly what Paul Buckle did. With a great birdie on a water logged 15th green and a solid finish after that, Paul forced his second seniors championship play off in two years.

After discussion, the referees and greenkeepers decided a playoff would start on the 2nd hole and then use a loop of 10 and 11 as these were the only greens left playable.

After both players parred the first playoff hole, they then both hit the fairway on the second and memories of last years 6 hole playoff came flowing back. It was only when Ian hit a super approach and Paul’s shot found the bunker did it look like a winner could emerge. Paul’s shot from the wet sand was tough and he couldn’t make up and down meaning Ian just needed two putts - which wasn’t a problem at all.

Congratulations to Ian Woodhead on becoming the 2026 Suffolk Seniors Champion. He certainly showed his U’14s squad that he also knows how to play!!

There was also a team prize up for grabs whilst the players battled the elements and this prize was taken by Woodbridge Golf Club who’s top three players of Graham Tait, Sean Dolton and Adrian Studd combined for 233.