GOLF: IT was a case of so near yet so far for Suffolk professionals Robin Mann, Kevin Lovelock and Tim Cooper and their amateur partners in the East Anglia final of the Lombard Trophy, Europe's biggest Pro-Am.

IT was a case of so near yet so far for Suffolk professionals Robin Mann, Kevin Lovelock and Tim Cooper and their amateur partners in the East Anglia final of the Lombard Trophy, Europe's biggest Pro-Am.

Playing at King's Lynn where there was a total of 80 pairs, only the winners qualified for a five-day luxury trip in the autumn for the final.

Scott McColl and his partner, 18-year-old Sam Johnson from Thorpe Hall won through on countback from John Reynolds and Mike Smith on countback after both pairs had shot six under par 66's.

But just one shot behind were Waldringfield's Mann and his partner, five handicapper Mark Lay, Lovelock and Keiron Canham, who plays off two, and Cooper and his 18 handicap partner Peter Hurst.

They all shot five under par 67's, but their scores counted for nothing in the end as they narrowly missed out on the chance of going to the finals.

l Andy Duffin, the 32-year-old Clacton assistant, won the second PGA Order of Merit event at Hamels Park after rounds of 68 and 66.

The best placed Suffolk player was James Keely (Woodbridge) who was fifth after two rounds of 70. Jon Bevan (Fynn Valley) was on 142 – 75, 67 – and other Suffolk scores included Tony Dobson (Bourne Hill DR) 71, 74, Kevin Earp (Waldringfield Heath) 73, 75, Paul Wilby (Fynn Valley) 69, 80, Alex Lucas (Fynn Valley) 79, 71, Robin Mann (Waldringfield Heath) 74, 78 and Kelvin Vince (Fynn Valley) 78, 77.

l Frank Doe, a member at Rushmere, holed his tee shot at the 128 yard par three eighth hole using an eight iron. His playing partners were Brian Knights and Terry Powell.

l Brian Clarke, the Ufford Park captain, achieved his first hole in one at the 140 yard par three fifth hole, using a six iron. His playing partners were Roger Stinton and Don Edwards. Brian's ace came a week before his captain's day at Ufford Park.

Brian was playing in Ufford seniors first Tuesday of the month competition, and his feat was celebrated with champagne.