GOLF: JAMES Keely is the Suffolk Assistants champion for the second time.The Woodbridge assistant won the title at Hintlesham Hall thanks to a run of four consecutive birdies in the last four holes of his final round.

JAMES Keely is the Suffolk Assistants champion for the second time.

The Woodbridge assistant won the title at Hintlesham Hall thanks to a run of four consecutive birdies in the last four holes of his final round.

Keely, who first won the title in 1998, collected the Dell Bower Trophy after pipping Tim Johnson (Cretingham) and Fynn Valley's Jon Bevan by one shot.

He had a total of 139 – five under par – with his four consecutive birdies helping him to a second round 67.

It was not until the 16th hole in his morning round that Keely's game took off. He holed his second shot from 80 yards for an eagle that helped him return a level par opening round to keep him in the hunt.

Bevan and Johnson came close to forcing a play-off with Keely, but both dropped shots in the closing stages of their final rounds.

Shane Warren (Ufford Park), who had opened up with a three under par 69 to be joint leader at the halfway stage, could only manage a one over par 73 in the afternoon while the defending champion, Alex Lucas (Fynn Valley), had an off day.

l The previous day Hintlesham staged a big Pro-Am, sponsored by Lancasters, and the leading professional was Mark Litton (Leighton Buzzard) who shot a four under par 67, one shot better than a group of four players that included Jon Bevan and Alex Lucas.

Another Fynn Valley professional, Paul Wilby, led the winning team with a score of 19 under.

l Katie Snelgrove of Felixstowe Ferry has won the Suffolk Girls Championship at Aldeburgh. She will now represent the county in a tournament for Midlands champions at Sandwell Park on August 29.

Katie had a gross 84 at Aldeburgh off her 12 handicap to beat Gwyneth Richings (Ipswich), who plays off nine, on countback.

The handicap section was won by Laura Simpson of Woodbridge (103-28-75) from Richings. Harriet Inglis (Ufford Park) was third (96-18-80) on countback from Merelena Byford (Bury St Edmunds).

In the Stableford competition for longer handicap girls on the nine-hole course Nicola Smith won with 49 points from Amanda Amey (Ipswich) who had 44 points but pipped Sarah Walden (Felixstowe Ferry) on countback.

There was a seven-hole Stableford for beginners and was won by Christina Barham (Felixstowe Ferry) with 12 points.

l Entries are required for the Suffolk Open Foursomes that will be played at Stowmarket on Sunday, August 12.

Entries, which close this Friday, should be sent to the Suffolk Golf Union secretary, Ron Kent (tel 01284-705765).