Suffolk Golf can be very proud of its array of Men’s and Ladies’ inter-club knockout trophies – there really is something for every handicap bracket.
Ahead of the new season, let us take this opportunity to learn about the varied and historic trophies that so many of our fellow club members will be aiming to play in. As I often say, it really is a great honour to represent your club. We start with the Ladies’ inter-club knockouts.
Weston Trophy
The ‘Champions League’ of Suffolk Ladies Golf is the Weston Trophy. Each club chooses five players to play scratch singles matchplay.
Alice Barlow and Bianca Theeruth, who won the Haskell Trophy in 2025 Picture: Wendy Flack
There are three divisions and two leagues within the top two divisions.
There is promotion, relegation and play-offs, which make this a most intriguing tournament.
The original idea for the trophy, donated in 1980 by Toodles Weston, was to give the best players in Suffolk singles matchplay experience in readiness for potential county team call-ups.
Haskell Trophy
Whilst on the theme of scratch events, the Haskell Trophy pits the two best golfers from every club in a 36-hole match, straight knockout.
Playing a foursomes format over that distance, with lunch after 18 holes, there is plenty of opportunity for swings in momentum.
Only selecting two players also means that more clubs have a chance to compete, and with the unpredictability of the alternate shot format, both players have to be on form to progress.
Stearn Trophy
Foursomes is also the order of the day in the Stearn Trophy, which is an expanded version of the Haskell with six golfers in three pairs playing 18 holes in the morning and a further 18 in the afternoon for a total of six points.
The Stearn is contested by handicapped players from 8.6-19.0, and each match will involve shots given to the higher pair.
Rosemary ‘Bud’ Pratten, the current organiser of the Stearn told me: “It’s quite a test of endurance, especially as it’s played on neutral courses, with great pride and friendly rivalry involved.”
Each golf club sends a squad of eight players, with two substitutes allowed at lunchtime, only adding to the permutations and tactics possible.
Cranworth Trophy
The Cranworth Trophy is the oldest of the Suffolk inter-club knockouts, having first been initiated by Lady Cranworth in 1936!
It has gone through many changes in its 87-year history, but it has the most brilliant format.
The Cranworth sees a team of eight play two foursomes matches, followed by four singles matches.
Who you pick to play the foursomes and singles is the big decision as each match is worth one point for the win.
With the Cranworth also being played on neutral venues, the decision of players ‘suitability’ to certain courses is often given much thought.
Despite being played for by the highest of handicapped golfers in a county event, the Cranworth matches are always exciting affairs.
If you are a member of a Suffolk club, enquire as to how you go about getting involved with the teams.
Aside from playing, the teams will need caddies, spectators and score relayers, which will all assist the captains on the day.
Thetford GC
The fifth of six rounds of the Winter League Series was played at Thetford on Sunday, leaving one more to go to crown the 2025/26 champions.
This round was won by Doug Bedford and Tim North with a score of 38 points. Played as foursomes, the pairing played the last three holes in one under par to pip David Brewer and Nick Marshall by one point, whose bogey on the last hole proved costly.
On a tough day, these were the only two pairings to beat 36 points. With 70 players competing, the combination of cold weather and Thetford’s fast, smooth greens proved to be too much of a challenge for most.
With Rory McIlroy failing to win in Dubai and Florida, it was left to his namesake Stephen McIlroy to provide the silverware, claimng the Senior Stableford at Thetford with 42 points.
The icy, cold easterly wind meant it would have been a tough challenge for even Rory to beat this score!
Winning by two points from Tony Fowler, his round was set with an amazing 24 points on the front 9.
Phillip Dive won the Division 1 competition with a very creditable 38 points off 4 handicap.
Stowmarket GC
The Stowmarket members held a Stableford competition across the weekend and across their familiar three divisions.
On Saturday, Ben Martin had the top score of the day to win Division 1 with 38 points. Kenton Jameson was second on 35, with the help of The Count, from Steve Ribbon on the same score.
Division 2 was won by Nick Boyle, scoring 33. Again, The Count was needed to separate second and third, with Neill Harris getting the nod ahead of Dan Allen as the pair both scored 31 points.
Division 3 went to Alan Hurst with 31 points, second was Jake Simoson on 30 and Steve Lee was third on 27.
Sunday, meanwhile, saw Simon Simpson get on the right side of The Count in Division 1. His 35 points was deemed superior to that of Graham Tobin, while Nick Ridley was third on 31.
Tom Sillett continued his recent run of form, winning Division 2 on 38. Gavin Hunt was second on 34 and Colin Mayes was third on 32.
Division 3 went to Steve Brown with 34 points, followed by Kevin Jones in second with 31 and Liam Biss in third, scoring 28.
The Suffolk GC
There was time at The Suffolk for two Senior Stablefords, although not dissimilar to last week, it seems the field was only playing for second place!
Andrew Read took the first of the competitions with 36 points, albeit with the aid of The Count ahead of David Broster, who was also on 36. Andrew Rudd was third on 34 points.
Three days later it was a similar tale, with Read again claiming top spot thanks to his return of 38 points and by his own merit this time.
The Count was still required to settle the minor placings as Roger McGann came in second and Kieron Watson third after the pair both scored 35 points.
Have a great golfing week.