Charity golf at top Suffolk Golf Course raising funds for Suffolk Punch Trust
On Spring Bank Holiday, Thursday 2nd June, Ufford Park Woodbridge hosted the second ‘Suffolk Punch Trophy’ golf competition to help raise funds for the Suffolk Punch horse, following last year’s success.
The event, founded by owner and keen golfer, Colin Aldous, attracted elite golfers from across Suffolk to play two rounds at the award-winning 18-hole, par 71 course, nestled in the Suffolk countryside.
Ufford Park has previously hosted various prestigious golf tournaments including, The Rett Classic, Best Western National Seniors and Sky Televised Euro Pro Tour.
Colin said, ‘Back in 2019, we felt the time was right to introduce a new annual golf competition, and after significant research and consideration, we decided on a Regional Annual Order of Merit event, which could support an appropriate charity. Unfortunately, COVID delayed our plans for the event, but we were finally able to hold the first Suffolk Punch Trophy event back in May 2021.
We’ve managed to increase sponsorship for 2022 from eight local companies; AllGlass (Anglia) Ltd, Amarinth Ltd, Booth Tarmacadam Ltd, Hopkins Homes, Foskett Farms, GAH Refridgeration, The Burgess Group and T Humphreys Removals; all of which have strong connections with the village of Ufford and we are very grateful that the majority of generous sponsors have been retained from 2021.
My wife and myself were raised in rural Suffolk and both of our fathers were full-time Suffolk Horseman, working the land before tractors started to dominant around the 1950’s.
Ufford Park had the opportunity to support the “Suffolk Horse” by sponsoring a foal at The Suffolk Punch Trust, which like every other living Suffolk Horse could trace its pedigree back to Crisps Horse born in Ufford in 1768. Unfortunately, our foal died prematurely, however, this new event creates another opportunity to support this endangered rare breed and Suffolk icon.’
The event was held on Thursday 2nd June 2022 and 13 Suffolk Golf Clubs were represented. The competition was open to golfers with a maximum Handicap index limit of 8.9.
A presentation took place in the evening and trophies and prize money were awarded to the both the scratch and nett winners, plus vouchers for the overall top five places and best AM/PM rounds.
Best Gross score and winner of the Gold Suffolk Punch Trophy was Patrick Spraggs. He shot gross scores of 74 and 72 for a total winning score of 146 over 36 holes.
Best Nett score and winner of the Silver Suffolk Punch Trophy was Ufford Park’s own, Fraser Johnson. He shot nett scores of 68 and 69 for a total winning score of 137 over 36 holes.
As well as the help from the eight local sponsors, a donation from each entry fee was collected to support both The Suffolk Punch Trust and The Suffolk Horse Society and a fantastic total of £1,240 will be split between both local charities.
“We were thrilled to attend another lovely day at Ufford Park Golf Tournament. Colony Aspall, our Suffolk Punch gelding came along to join in with the day’s fun. We are very grateful to Mr and Mrs Aldous for their continued support of The Suffolk Punch Trust and the Suffolk horse.” said Tracey Pettit, The Suffolk Punch Trust.
Fiona Fleming, President of The Suffolk Horse Society said: “We were delighted to once again be asked by Colin Aldous and Ufford Park to represent The Suffolk Horse Society, at The Suffolk Punch Golf Tournament, especially with Ufford being the birth place of the first Suffolk horse stallion, “Crisps Horse of Ufford” born in 1768”. The Suffolk Horse Society is the official charity for the preservation and promotion of the Suffolk Punch Horse.
