MARK BUTT took top spot in the Norfolk Seniors Championship at Hunstanton Golf Club.
The King’s Lynn golfer started and finished with birdies as he shot a gross level-par 72 to win by three strokes.
Butt, who played from a handicap index of 4.2, barely put a foot wrong in his round on a glorious summer’s day on the north Norfolk links.
He went to the turn in one-over-par before a wedge from the rough on the par-4 12th hole set up an 18-foot birdie.
Butt’s only major setback occurred at the blind par-3 14th where he ended up recording a double bogey.
But he bounced back in gutsy fashion with a gain at the following par-5 before firing a wedge to four feet on the final hole to set up a closing three.
Norfolk Seniors’ captain Iain Reid stood on the final tee with a chance to rein in Butt. The Eaton golfer had showed tenacity and skill to sit at one-over, but his tee-shot narrowly missed the 18th fairway and drew a difficult lie in the rough.
In the end, Reid signed for a three-over 75 to finish as joint runner-up alongside John Shapland and Paul Robson – leaving Butt as the champion.
Butt said: “The occasion didn’t get to me and it was just a good round of golf – solid. I made a few putts when I needed to.
“The first few holes, the breeze was hurting, you had to be careful. But after that, the conditions became benign and there was a good score out there.
“It’s my first senior win. Unfortunately I lost my best friend Paul Wood two weeks ago. I definitely dedicate it to Paul – we call him Woody – who I played with every Saturday.”
Hunstanton member Michael Slattery, who was paired with Butt, retained his Super Seniors’ crown (for players over 70). Slattery shot a six-over-par round of 78 that also left him in tied-sixth overall.
The County Seniors’ Handicap Championship saw both Butt and Paul Woollaston (who received 19 strikes) sign for a net 68 – but Butt prevailed on countback. The Super Seniors handicap title was clinched by Malcolm Manley, courtesy of a net 71.
The Sheringham trio of Jon Batten, Mark Williamson and Neal Milton claimed victory in the team scratch event with a total of 234. The team handicap honours went the way of Bawburgh’s Richard Bunn, Paul Greengrass and Paolo Payne.
Norfolk County Golf Union president Bob Carrick said: “Many thanks to Hunstanton Golf Club for hosting the county’s Seniors Championship for the first time. A record 112 players teed up and the field had nothing other than unstinting praise for the golf course, which was in immaculate condition and superbly presented.”
Norfolk Seniors’ Championship (Hunstanton Golf Club) leading scores: 72: M Butt (King’s Lynn). 75: P Robson (Royal Norwich); I Reid (Eaton) J Shapland (Swaffham). 77: N Milton (Sheringham). 78: R Bunn (Bawburgh); M Slattery (Hunstanton); J Batten (Sheringham); R Perry (Eaton) A Pykett (Hunstanton)
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