COLCHESTER Golf Club professional Chris Cutchie found there was no place like home as the club hosted the Essex PGA pro-am.

Cutchie, the county’s PGA captain for 2017, lead his team of Dave Blackmore, Jim Matlby and Barrie Cutchie to a four-shot victory over 32 other teams, after posting 92 points.

Phil Davies, Ian Parry and Ernest Van Verenbech were runners-up with Jason Levermore’s Clacton team third on countback ahead of Andy Smith, Keith Newnham and Mark Weale with pro Gary Carter.

The professionals’ prize was won by James Scade with a an impressive 68 - despite double bogeying 17.

Levermore was second alongside Lloyd Kennedy on 69.

Cutchie finished fourth with a 70 while the club’s other head pro Mark Baker tied eighth after a 71.

Colchester GC then staged the prestigious Essex Open, with 80 pros and amateurs competing over 36 holes.

James Webber and Levermore led the way after the morning round with 68s but faced a fierce onslaught from Jack Winer.

Winer was level in the morning but fired a best-of-the-day 66 to finish on four-under for the two rounds.

Levermore was five-under playing 18 but hooked his ball into the ditch before dropping out and then finding the front left-hand bunker.

He played an incredible bunker shot to save bogey and force a play-off which he won on the second extra hole to retain his trophy and collect the £1,200 first prize.

Baker finished tied 16th on seven over with Cutchie and Alan Sharrocks tied 21st, on nine over.

Highlight of the day though was a hole-in-one on the eighth for former Colchester head pro, Mark Angel.

Carl White, playing off 21, took the honours in the walk-on stableford with 39 points.

He finished one ahead of Jamie Scott (8) and two clear of Andy Franklin (9).

Fourth on 36 points came Stephen English (9), John Blackmore (3) and Robert Svensson (14).

Svensson maintained his decent form the following day by winning the nine-hole walk-on with 37 points.

That put him one clear of Joshua Coleman, Jonathan Way, Cai James, Steve Parlett, Arian Masud and Lewis Barber.

Colchester's Men's Seniors team secured a fine 6.5-4.5 win at The Essex.

Brendan Booth, John Redden, Tom Rothery, Jim Wilkinson, Norman Ryan and Paul Harrison sealed victories and John Waterson a half.

In their first match of the season, Colchester GC's Ladies Silver team lost 3-2 to Laindon Hills despite wins for Catherine Chick and Maureen Devenish.

The club's Bronze team also suffered a narrow home defeat to Rayleigh losing 4-3, with Linda Freeman, Jane Lochore and Cherie Clark winning for Colchester.

But there was better news in the Munro Foursomes with Trish Wilson and Louisa Storey beating Braintree 3-2, to progress to the third round.

In the ‘Hunter Foursomes’ Ladies Inter Club knockout, Mandy Rix and Charley Hatley won 6&5.

Charley Hatley also was successful in her Logan Trophy Knockout match winning 3&2 and both now proceed in the next round.