THE 100 players that played in the latest Winter Pro-Am at Thetford Golf Club were thanking their lucky stars that they play on Thursdays and not Fridays as the course was under five inches of snow just 12 hours after they finished playing.

THE 100 players that played in the latest Winter Pro-Am at Thetford Golf Club were thanking their lucky stars that they play on Thursdays and not Fridays as the course was under five inches of snow just 12 hours after they finished playing.

The frozen course had been on temporary greens since Tuesday and the only question was whether they could beat the snow. Even up until the first players teeing off the event was in doubt.

The players had to contend with a number of snow flurries, however fortunately nothing settled until later.

Overall, it was a good day for the visitors from Stoke by Nayland with six of the Essex golfers taking home prizes.

In the Pro's medal, Jamie Moul, playing as a late replacement, took top honours with a one under par round of 71 that ended with three straight birdies.

This saw him sneak home by one shot from Ely professional, Andrew George.

In the Pro-Am, Ian Ellis and Randy Reynolds came home in first place with 42 points, with help of a strong back nine of 23.

This included 10 points in three holes, where Randy birdied the 13th and 14th holes and Ian made a birdie on the 15th.

In second place, with a strong finish of three under for the last five holes, were Middleton Hall professional Steve White and amateur partner Peter Drew.

In the amateur-only event, Robert Jiggins and Howard Foster from Stoke by Nayland sneaked home in a three-way countback on 42 points thanks to a last-hole birdie with a shot for four points from Robert.

This pipped Bob Cooper and Chris Springthorpe who also finished strongly with two birdies on their last two holes.

Ian Carter and Gerry Day had looked in a strong position at seven under par after 11 holes, however they struggled through the newer long holes and made 42 points.

The events continue in 2010 and continues to attract good support from around the region.

Results - Professional Medal: 1 Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) 71 nett, 2 Andrew George (Ely) 72, 3 Paul Wilby (Haverhill) 74.

Pro-Am Stableford: 1 Ian Ellis (Costessey) and Randy Reynolds (Fakenham) 42 points, 2 Steve White and Peter Drew (Middleton Hall) 40, 3 Jamie Moul and Steven Murphy (Stoke by Nayland) 40.

Am-Am Stableford: 1 Robert Jiggins and Howard Foster (Stoke by Nayland) 42, 2 Bob Cooper (Ipswich) and Chris Springthorpe (Flempton) 42, 3 Ian Carter and Gerry Day (Stoke by Nayland) 42.