Royal Cromer’s Lee Patterson and Weston Park’s Danny Chapman share honours in latest meeting of the Norfolk Alliance at King’s Lynn
The winds blew and swirled – but the golf balls stayed impressively on course at King's Lynn in the latest meeting of the Norfolk Alliance.
Scoring was good, despite the conditions, with the professional honours shared on one-under 71 by Lee Patterson (Royal Cromer) and Danny Chapman (Weston Park). Meanwhile the betterball prize went to Eaton's Peter Baughan and Joe O'Sullivan with an superb net score of 10-under 62.
'It was windy,' said Patterson. 'But as long as you kept the ball below the trees it was very manageable.' He had listened to forecasts of gusts blowing up to 60mph and, as always, was relishing the challenge.
'I always know I have the game for wind so I started the round feeling fairly confident,' said Patterson, despite feeling a little rusty from lack of play and practice.
Chapman, by contrast, knew his game was sharp after lots of work over recent weeks. Even better, he'd been playing plenty of links golf and also felt ready for the wind.
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'I've been trying to change my ball flight for the wind,' said Chapman, whose preparations paid off.
Both players had similar fortunes, showing plenty of style with the long game, and both suffering three three-putts.
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Chapman, who is being supported by MKM Building Suppliers to play this year's EuroPro Tour, had some impressive shots into the greens. He birdied three holes – including two where he had tap-ins – and eagled the long 13th, where his eight-iron approach finished within 5ft of the hole.
'It was very solid and I only missed one green when I went in the trees and had to chip out,' said Chapman.
Patterson was equally tidy, missing just one fairway and hitting most greens. He took advantage of the forward positioning of the tees, notably driving through the par four 15th to set up one of his five birdies.
The second hole – another par four – was also driveable, but Patterson decided to tee off with a four-iron and made his birdie by that route.
Both could have won the event outright. Patterson missed birdies on his last two holes while Chapman three-putted the 18th for bogey. Chapman, however, was philosophical: 'The thing I've learned over the last couple of years is to be patient,' he said. And Patterson commented: 'It was slightly disappointing to miss chances, but on the other hand I didn't put it in any trouble.'
