Suffolk News-Herald

Pete Britton made some serious money on Sept. 13. For every hole he played in the Southern Chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Seniors event at the Lake Chesdin course in Chester (just below Richmond), the Suffolk Golf Course pro made $50!

Well, sort of. After finishing first in the tournament for the first time since 1999, Britton got $600, after just one day and 30 holes of work.

&uot;I’ve been playing in the tournament for 12 years,&uot; said Britton, who became the local pro on Jan. 1 of this year.

After six hours of competition, Britton was tied at +2 with his friend Gary Anderson, the pro at the Hamptons Course in Hampton. Britton took off his golf shoes and put his clubs in the car.

&uot;I had to come back to Suffolk and close up!&uot; he said. &uot;I told Gary, ‘Let’s be co-champions and split the money.’ He knew I was kidding, and he said, ‘No, let’s play.’&uot;

The men parred out on the first and second holes. On the third one, a par four, Britton put his second shot on the green. Anderson’s second landed to the left of a bunker on the left, but his third shot landed within 10 feet of the pin. His putt missed, though, and Britton two-putted for the win.

On Friday, Britton hits his local links; he and many pros from across the area will be playing in the Suffolk Golf Course Pro-Am.

&uot;There’s about 25 teams, and pros from all over,&uot; he said. &uot;I always plan on doing well. I’m always optimistic when I tee off in a tournament.&uot;