The Scratch and Handicap Finals of the County Match Play Championship were held at Heacham Manor in unusually good weather conditions. Apart from a short shower on the Sunday morning, the rest of the weekend was perfect golfing conditions.

Sixteen Competitors start in each section and the knockout stages involve 36 holes on each day to narrow down to the last four in Scratch and Handicap on the Sunday afternoon.

The Handicap Final was between Kevin Chapman from Bawburgh and Quin Monaghan from Eaton. Junior golfer Quin had played exceptionally well to beat three adult golfers to reach the Final but Chapman’s experience was enough to win the Handicap Championship 6 & 4. The third / fourth play off was won by Gary Robinson beating his Royal Norwich playing partner Laurie Pryce 5 & 3.

The Scratch final was an epic affair with defending Champion, Warren Bates from Heacham Manor, taking on another County Player – Scott Wright from Ryston Park. Wright won the first hole but Bates drew level on the third.

Excellent birdie putts from Wright on the 4th & 5th holes put him two up but Bates won the 6th and then two fantastic birdies on the 7th and 8th put him back in the lead. The game was littered with birdies and when Wright hit a brave shot around the lake to the par five 11th, Bates then hit an excellent chip to the green and made birdie, Wright’s eagle putt fell just short.
Bates then gradually took control of the game but Wright pushed him all the way to the 18th hole which Bates won to finish two holes up in the end.

The third / fourth play off was won by Joe Robinson from Royal Norwich beating Kevin Webb from Bawburgh on the last hole after a very close game.

The presentations were held on Heacham Manor’s fantastic new balcony overlooking the course and included the Order of Merit trophies.

Iain Yule from Kings Lynn won the scratch trophy and Kevin Webb the Handicap trophy.