GOLF with Neal Manning: ALEX Lucas found Seckford to his liking in the last Suffolk Winter Alliance meeting of the year.The Fynn Valley professional shot a five under par 64 to win the professionals prize by four shots from Paul Wilby, also Fynn Valley, and Ufford Park's Stuart Robertson.

ALEX Lucas found Seckford to his liking in the last Suffolk Winter Alliance meeting of the year.

The Fynn Valley professional shot a five under par 64 to win the professionals prize by four shots from Paul Wilby, also Fynn Valley, and Ufford Park's Stuart Robertson.

Lucas' score was five shots better than at the same venue earlier in the month when Seckford also staged the Alliance meeting because Rookery Park was too wet.

His round included an eagle, four birdies and just one bogey in a meeting in which 60 players took part including nine professionals.

The Seckford course was again in good condition, but the greens proved to be a bit tricky. The weather could have been more perfect for winter golf with a frost and rain free day.

In the Stableford competition there was success for the Stoke-by-Nayland combination of professional Roly Hitchcock and his partner Dick Chalmers. They amassed 47 points which was just reward for Dick, in particular, as he has not missed an Alliance meeting this season.

Scoring was generally very good and it took 44 points to be among the prize winners although two pairs on that total missed out.

The Winter Alliance will resume after the holiday festivities at Bungay on Wednesday, January 9, and entries are already to hand.

Although well over 300 cards were issued this year for membership of the Alliance, some clubs have not taken all their allocation and these will now be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Anyone wishing to join should contact their club secretary or club professional. For further information ring Alliance secretary Phil Segger on 01473-727525.

Prize winners

Professionals: 64- Alex Lucas (Fynn Valley), 68- Paul Wilby (Seckford) and Stuart Robertson (Fynn Valley).

Stableford competition: 47 pts- Roly Hitchcock and Dick Chalmers (Stoke-by-Nayland). 45- Mike Bane (Stoke-by-Nayland) and Bill Darling (Stowmarket). 44- Nic Duc and Roger Turley (Haverhill), Nic Grundtvig and Mark Crisp (Seckford), Colin Aldous and Stuart Robertson (Ufford Park).

Other leading scores: 44- P Davey and P Presland, J Walker and M Klingle. 43- T Holly and J Markham. 42- K Vince and K Osborne, S Buxton and T Dobson, P Wilby and S Mann.