ON golf veteran James Goodfellow (84-94) rolled back the years to his teenage days to successfully defend his best golfer title at the Runyard Trophy for Norfolk and Suffolk schools.
Holing three birdies on the front nine and a further four on the back nine on a tough Thetford course, Goodfellow, playing off a handicap of three, raced to a nett score of 66.
Not to be outdone, ON team-mate and Runyard regular, 16-handicapper David Bussey (76-85), also racked up a nett score of 66 with some outstanding golf as the two tied in first place.
Although they had identical stableford scores on both the front and back nines, it was eventually declared that Goodfellow was the overall winner.
Bussey got his revenge beating Goodfellow by a yard to the longest drive prize on the lengthy 13th hole, while the nearest pin prize on the tricky 16th went to Roger Brooks.
This completed a second successive clean sweep of all the men’s individual prizes for the ON team against six other rival schools, including Greshams and Ipswich.
Unfortunately, despite the heroics of Goodfellow and Bussey, and some strong support from other members Roger Brooks (60-67), Gavin Sargent (73-82), Chris Hoxley (92-98) and captain Richard Goodfellow (81-90), the side were pipped at the post by a very consistent Framlingham, who lifted the claret jug.
But the six man ON side still came away with the second highest ever team score in Runyard history, all of the individual titles and an impressive prize fund of 27 new golf balls.
Captain Richard Goodfellow, said: “The team played fantastically well and all had a great day out. Having come second twice in the past three years, we are looking forward to going one better at next year’s Runyard. Thanks to everyone for their enthusiasm in making the day such a success.”
Monday September 10th 2018 will see the renewal of rivalries and some old acquaintances at the new venue of Bury St Edmunds as the Runyard Trophy moves into its fifth season.
If you would like to be considered and help the school lift the cup for the first time please register your interest with richard.goodfellow@ba.com
Earlier in the year, John Butcher (89-96) ran out deserved winner of the ON golf day at Royal Norwich in April 2017.
Butcher amassed 38 Stableford points as the 18-handicapper fist-pumped his way around the parkland track with some consistent straight hitting.
Butcher kept his cool to hole a tricky four-foot downhill putt for par on the 400-yard 18th to win by a point from James Goodfellow.
Butcher admitted: “I didn't expect to post such a good score, but it was a great way to go out on a course that holds many lovely memories from when I was younger. I may not drive the ball as far these days but thankfully the putts all seemed to go in.”
Goodfellow carded the lowest scratch score of the day with an impressive two-over par for 37 points as he shone in first group of the day playing alongside society president Graham Seeley (68-76) and former Bawburgh captain Brooks.
The 11-strong group all enjoyed the testing course, which sadly is due to turned into housing in the future.
School governor Mark Schofield (75-85) played and updated the society about the school's latest news over bangers and mash and a pint in the clubhouse.
Also in the field, who paid £30 a head for golf, food and prizes, were former Eaton captain Sargent, Bussey, Ben Willgrass (01-08), Ryan Cullum (00-07), Tom Dunkley (80-89) and James Nursey (86-96).
An ON scratch side of James Goodfellow, Steven Bundy (93-97), Chris Lamb (74-81), Bussey, Nursey and Stuart McClure (66-76) sadly missed out on count-back from qualifying for the national Grafton Morrish finals.
The team, playing scratch pairs foursomes, amassed a creditable 77 Stableford points in May but came eighth out of 16 teams at Gog Magog and only the top seven progressed as Stamford snuck in with their effort of 77 points instead.
To play ON golf in 2018 please contact: jamesnursey@yahoo.co.uk or richard.goodfellow@ba.com
John Butcher, who won the ON Golf Society Day at Royal Norwich in April