TWO STARS AMID ESSEX GLOOM

FIVE LAKES -- Stock Brook’s Joe Sullivan and Clacton’s Ben Herbert were the two best performers from the team of six boys (under 18 years of age) representing the County in the SE Region qualifying competition.

Sullivan’s one under par score of 143 for the two rounds on the Five Lakes Championship course was the second best individual score out of the 66 players taking part. It included a 3-under par 69 for his second round.

Herbert’s score of one over par for his two rounds was an exercise in steadiness with rounds of 73 and 72.

Playing on a home course, Essex finished a disappointing 4th out of the 11 counties taking part on Friday May 29.

The qualification to represent the region in the national finals went to a consistently strong Surrey team who are the present holders of the National Championship.

The format was 6 players per team playing two rounds of stroke play golf with the best 5 scores counting.

The Five Lakes Championship course provided a stern test, and in spite of the May sunshine only ten of the 122 rounds played came in under par.

After the first round Essex were joint 3rd with BB&O (Berks Bucks & Oxon) each county scoring 370 strokes. Out in front was Surrey with a score of 359, and Kent was tucked in between with a 360 score.

In the morning the best Essex performance came from James Webber (Three Rivers) and Ben Herbert (Clacton) who came in with one over par scores of 73.

In the afternoon Surrey consolidated their leading position by adding 366 to their score for a winning total of 725.

Kent was unable to mount a serious challenge to the leaders but maintained their second position with 738 total score, this being one shot better than third placed BB&O.

Surrey have produced an outstanding boys team for the second year running and it will be very difficult to wrest the National title from them.

Representing Essex were: am pm Total
Joe Sullivan (Stock Brook) 74 69 143
Ben Herbert (Clacton on Sea) 73 72 145
Steve Jones (Canons Brook) 75 76 151
James Webber (Three Rivers) 73 (79) 152
Spencer Wells (Thorpe Hall) 75 77 152
Jay Beisser (Rochford 100) (76) 77 153

Scores in brackets disregarded.

Final totals for top five counties: Surrey 725
Kent 738
Berks Bucks & Oxon 739
Essex 741
Sussex 744