Cox lands silver again

MATTHEW Cox struck silver for the second time in a month in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.

He was the only player to break par in the Silver Pheasant at Fairhaven where he beat the host club’s Lee Mayors by a shot. The former professional, who also captured the Birkdale Silver Goblet over his home course, went round in 73 and 74 for a one-under total.

Prestbury’s Mike Bedford was third, three off the pace, as he extended his lead in the merit table.

Cox, a plus two handicapper, led by one at the half-way stage thanks to five birdies which helped to offset a double bogey at the short 10th.

DETAILS: 147 Mattew Cox (Royal Birkdale) 73 74; 148 Lee Mayors (Fairhaven) 74 74; 150 Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 76 74; 151 Tom Stuart (St Annes Old Links) 77 74, Martyn Walsh (Styal) 74 77; 152 Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 79 73, David Marshall (The Worcestershire) 76 76, Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham) 75 77; 153 Anthony Stirling (Formby) 77 76; 155 James Bolton (Formby) 80 75, Andrew Palmer (Chorley) 80 75; Lee Pargeter (Fulford) 74 81.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 700 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 530 Mark Young (Longridge), Carl Thompson (Manchester); 450 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 395 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 320 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 300 Matthew Cox (Royal Birkdale); 270 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 250 James Wilson (Formby), Zac Harrison (Preston); 245 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven), Paul McFerran (Childwall).

PGA Cup trio aiming to make a splash in the Lakes

THREE members of the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup side to face the United States at Loch Lomond resort Cameron House next month will showcase their talents in the Lakes Classic Pro-am at Windermere this weekend (Sept 5-6).

They are Barry Taylor, an assistant at St Helens club Houghwood and recent winner of the James Brearley Lancashire Open; former European Tour player Andrew Barnett, teaching professional at North Wales Golf Range; and Will Barnes, from Garstang who was PGA Player of the Month for July following his wire-to-wire victory in the Ryder Cup of Wales 2010 Welsh Open victory at Marriott St Pierre.

They head a 43-strong field competing for a £10,000 prize-fund over 36 holes but they player who could upstage them all is Welshman Simon Edwards who won last year at the club he later joined as professional.

But Edwards, also a former PGA Cup player with a string of titles to his name, will face competition from several past winners including Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady and Paul Carman, from Huddersfield, while Silloth’s Jonathan Graham will be hoping to rekindle the form that helped him to The Rock title last year.

Full Northern Order of Merit Points Table

The latest Mitsushiba 2009 Northern Order of Merit Table is shown below. This includes tournaments up to and including the Silver Pheasant at Fairhaven Golf Club.

Michael Bedford , Prestbury = 700
Mark Young , Longridge = 530
Carl Thompson , Manchester = 530
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 450
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 410
Ollie Smith , Ashton-on-Mersey = 395
Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 320
Matthew Cox , Royal Birkdale = 300
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 270
Zac Harrison , Preston = 250
James Wilson , Formby = 250
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 245
Charles Durnian , Fairhaven = 245
Alex Hogben , Ringway = 230
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 225
Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 210
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 185
Oliver Pantoja , Ashton-on-Mersey = 170
James Robinson , S&A = 165
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 160
Charles Ford , Kirby Muxloe = 150
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 150
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 150
David Hurd , Leasowe = 150
Craig Fort , Nelson = 150
David Corsby , Royal Lytham = 150
Daniel Nutter , Clitheroe = 150
Martin Thomas , Royal Liverpool = 150
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 145
Michael Hunt , Pleasington = 135
Ewan Patterson , St Annes Old Links = 125
Chris Rabbich , Crompton & Royton = 125
Chris Kneen , Castletown = 120
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 120
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 115
Michael Harrington , Shrigley Hall = 110
Andrew Palmer , Chorley = 110
Mark Rabone , S&A = 105
James Oliphant , Oliva Nova = 105
Marcus Mohr , Hawarden = 100
Bob Bardsley , Denton = 100
David Holt , Shaw Hill = 100
Gareth Hastie , Dunscar = 95
David Marshall , The Worcestshire = 90
Ben Bellfield , Didsbury = 75
Jon Greenough , West Lancs = 75
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 75
Craig Cuthbert , Prestwich = 75
James Newton , Prestbury = 75
Sean Nicholls , St Annes Old Links = 65
Russell Hayhoe , Ponteland = 65
Martin Walsh , Styal = 65
Andrew Addison , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 60
David Simpson , Penrith = 60
Colin Brown , Bromborough = 60
Scott Gowland , Blackpool North Shore = 60
M O'Hara , Formby = 60
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 60
Kris Sutcliffe , Crompton & Royton = 60
Tom Stewart , St Annes Old Links = 60
Chris Harrison , Sandiway = 55
Paul Kinnear , Formby Hall = 55
Jonathan Corke , Rowany = 50
Will Jones , Oswestry = 50
Stephen Jopson , Carlisle = 50
Nick Jackson , Chorley = 50
Craig Connell , Ashton & Lea = 50
Mark Geddes , Prenton = 50
David Hannis , Blackpool North Shore = 50
Tom Irwin , Croham Hurst = 50
Andrew Millray , Windermere = 50
Richard Pickard , Mere = 45
Mark Millhouse , Bolton = 45
Mike Kelly , Ashton-under-Lyne = 45
Ashley Sage , Sandiway = 45
Kyle Hughes , Formby Hall = 45
Sam Roberts , Llanymynech = 45
Mikiel Tchobanian , Blackpool North Shore = 45
David Hughes , West Lancs = 45
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 45
Jonathan Hurst , Shaw Hill = 45
Martin France , Lymm = 45
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 45
Kevin Reilly , S&A = 40
Richard Kilshaw , Hillside = 40
Declan Dixon , Fairhaven = 40
Graham Jackson , Manchester = 40
Luke Hignall , Prenton = 40
Gareth Bradley , Bramhall = 40
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 40
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 40
Josh Evans , Mere = 40
Andy McLoughney , Blackpool North Shore = 40
Barry Bellfield , Eaton = 40
Daryl Callister , Mount Murray = 40
Gary Lacy , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 40
Terry Eardley , Burslem = 40
Andrew Hill , Hazel Grove = 40
Paul Biggins , Accrington = 40
Louie Laviscount , Wilpshire = 40
Anthony Stirling , Formby = 40
David Smethurst , Formby = 35
David Peel , Stockport = 30
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Kristian Taylor , Formby = 30
Simon Coumbe , Pontefract = 30
Michael Downs , San Roque = 30
Reece Cranfield , Haigh Hall = 30
Mike Howarth , Penwortham = 30
Chris Cuthbert , Prestwich = 30
Brian McCann , Morecambe = 30
Kyle Evans , Prenton = 30
Lee Collinson , Blackpool Park = 30
Scott Smallman , Newcastle-under-Lyne = 30
Andy Heesom , Clitheroe = 30
Daniel Rowley , Shipley = 30
Ryan Corbett , West Lancs = 30
Henry Featherstone , Ringway = 30
Nick Fallows , North Manchester = 30
Jonathan Harrison , S&A = 25
Anthony Bolton , Formby = 25
Chris Bracewell , Ashton & Lea = 25
Curtis Dean , St Annes Old Links = 25
Lee Chenery , Lancaster = 25
Graham Roberts , Eaton = 25
Sam Stuart , St Annes Old Links = 25
Andrew Hardie , Astbury = 25
Liam Hunt , High Legh Park = 25
Drew Molloy , Hillside = 20
Tim Cooper , Marriott Worsley Park = 20
Matthew Galley , Morecambe = 20
Tom Stewart , St Annes Old Links = 20
Steve Benton , South Staffs = 20
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 20
Adam Smith , Accrington = 20
Neil Jones , Vicars Cross = 20
Sam Townend , Wilpshire = 20
Bradley Clisham , Grange Park = 20
Neil Wain , Trentham = 20
Peter Hadfield , Hazel Grove = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 20
James , Formby = 20
Anthony Holden , Preston = 15
Gareth Clark , Manchester = 15
Paul Jones , Royal Birkdale = 15
Jamie Guy , Bromborough = 15
Dean Moseley , Blackpool North Shore = 15
Lee Mayers , Fairhaven = 15
Paul Howard , Southport & Ainsdale = 15
Steve Bryan , Bolton Old Links = 15
Liam Kindon , North Manchester = 15
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 10
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Gavin Nesbit , Boldon = 10
Paul Armstrong , Penwortham = 10
Sean Blinkhorn , Leigh = 10
Paul Knight , Eastham Lodge = 10
Robert Fawcett , Dukinfield = 10
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 10
David Simpson , Lytham Green Drive = 10
Michael Bennett , Bury = 10
Greg McIllroy , Southport Old Links = 10
Lee Crombleholme , Leigh = 10
James Hall , Royal Lytham = 10
John Flint , Crompton & Royton = 10
Lee Pargeter , Fulford = 10

Whiffin blows hot for Five Lakes victory

Sean beats the field and the wind to scoop title in Essex

Sean Whiffin claimed victory in The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa, shooting a fine level par final round in windy conditions to finish on three under for the tournament and win by three strokes.

Whiffin (The Hertfordshire G&CC) began the day two strokes behind overnight leader Paul Reed (Bristol & Clifton GC) but like so many others, Reed found the wind too strong and soon dropped down the field. In contrast, Whiffin parred the first seven holes while those around him faltered, and after exchanging three birdies for three bogeys in six holes from the eighth, he carded a level par 71 to follow rounds of 69 and 70 and be rewarded for his solid golf in trying conditions with the £10,000 winner’s cheque.

“It was very windy out there, pretty much at the limit without being called in I reckon,” said the 38 year-old, invited to play his first event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour. “I played well out there though, I knew I had to keep out of trouble and I did just that.”

“I practiced a lot on my short game and putting beforehand – that was always going to be the key out there as in those conditions you are going to miss greens,” said the Hertfordshire man after claiming his first win on the EuroPro Tour after playing over 70 events since 2002 – he currently leads the Order of Merit on the PGA East Region.

Reed ended his chances of victory with a run of four bogeys and a double bogey from the fourth hole to but he managed to pick up three birdies on the back nine, eventually finishing five over for the day but level for the tournament and taking second place, thanks largely to a 66 in his second round.

Paul Dwyer (Clitheroe) was the only man to break par in the final round, mastering the wind to pick up five birdies in a one under round of 71 – securing a share of third spot that moves him into the top five of the Order of Merit at the expense of Elliot Saltman and the current top five of Scott Jamieson, Tom Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd), Jack Doherty and Dwyer entering stage two of Q School for the European Tour. Order of Merit leader Jamieson currently shares the lead in the DHL Wroclaw Open in Poland after two rounds.

Matthew Ford (Marriott Tudor Park), Matthew Evans (Rotherham) and Brian McElhinney (Team Ireland) join Dwyer in third spot. Evans looked to be pushing for victory after starting the day at two under and moving through the front nine at level par. A double bogey at the 12th halted his progress though and he lost further ground with back-to-back bogeys from 15 to finish with a 75. Ford won The Brooks Brothers 2008 Classic and remained in contention to retain his title when he birdied the tenth to remain level for the day after starting at three under. McElhinney partnered Reed in the final pairing of the day after starting one stroke behind the overnight leader, but was five over at the turn and eventually recorded a 77.

Four players shared seventh spot, with Mark Ramsdale (Formby GC) left frustrated by two double bogeys on the back nine after five birdies in his final round, eventually finishing with a 73 to finish three over for the tournament. Francis McGuirk (Prince’s GC) picked up four birdies in his round of 72 to join Ramsdale, with Anthony Tarchetti (Prince’s GC) and Gary Carter carding rounds of 74 and 76 respectively to complete the quartet.

To view the full final Leaderboard from The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa click here: http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/event/europro99/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

To view the Order of Merit after the 11 events on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour click here: http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/poy/oom/index.htm

FINAL SCORES FROM THE BROOKS BROTHERS 2009 CLASSIC
1 Sean Whiffin 69, 70, 71 210 -3 £10,000
2 Paul Reed 71, 66, 76 213 Lvl £5,000
=3 Paul Dwyer 76, 69, 70 +2 215 £1,700
=3 Matthew Evans 68, 72, 75 +2 215 £1,700
=3 Matthew Ford 70, 69, 76 +2 215 £1,700
=3 Brian McElhinney 72, 66, 77 +2 215 £1,700
=7 Francis McGuirk 74, 70, 72 +3 216 £887.50
=7 Mark Ramsdale 73, 70, 73 +3 216 £887.50
=7 Anthony Tarchetti 72, 70, 74 +3 216 £887.50
=7 Gary Carter 72, 68, 76 +3 216 £887.50

Reed 8/1 to claim Five Lakes title with Sky Bet

500/1 ante-post outsider holds one shot lead – Harris and Ford 9/2 joint favourites

Paul Reed is 8/1 with PGA EuroPro Tour’s official bookmakers to convert his one shot lead in The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa in Essex into victory.

Reed (Bristol & Clifton GC) shot a five under round of 66 to move into the lead and tees off at 12.13pm with Brian McElhinney (Team Ireland), who is one stroke behind him and 6/1 second favourite. Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC) and Matthew Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) are the 9/2 joint favourites and are two strokes behind Reed at three under, along with Sean Whiffin who is 7/1.

“With a best finish of 29th on the EuroPro Tour in the last three years, I’m sure Paul Reed will be a little anxious as his bids to capture The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic,” said Sky Bet’s John Rhodes. “A huge 500/1 shot at the outset, he’s still a big looking 8/1 shot to land the title. Nicky Harris and Matthew Ford have to be the men to beat, two back of Reed and 9/2 joint favourites.”

The final round of the action at Five Lakes begins at 8am tomorrow, with live scoring available at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link.

To bet on the final round with Sky Bet, click here: http://www.skybet.com

Reed moves into Five Lakes lead

Paul Reed moves to five under in Essex with second round 66

Paul Reed holds a one stroke lead at five under par going into the final round of The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa in Essex.

Reed (Bristol & Clifton GC) shot a level par opening round of 71 but made short work of improving on that with a fast start to his second round. He picked up five birdies and one bogey on the front nine to go out at four under and a sixth birdie of the day at the last saw him take sole possession of the lead with a round of 66. Reed currently sits back in 88th spot on the Order of Merit, so he may have timed his form to perfection as the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour draws to a close.

McElhinney (Team Ireland) matched Reed’s round of 66 to sit one stroke behind him going into Friday’s final round after starting the second round at one over. The Irishman roared down the front nine and picked up four birdies to move to three under for the tournament at the turn. A fifth birdie of the day at the tenth saw him move to four under and he managed to stay there after dropping a shot at the 12th – picking up his sixth birdie of the day at the last to shoot 66.

Nicky Harris and Sean Whiffin began the day tied in fourth spot and sit in a three-way tie for third after both carding one under rounds of 70. Harris (Whitefield GC) sits just outside the top ten in 12th spot on the Order of Merit and could make significant strides with a high finish in Essex, picking up three birdies and two bogeys in his second round effort. Whiffin dropped to one under through 13 holes with three bogeys and two birdies before stringing three birdies together from the 14th to move briefly to four under before dropping a shot at the 17th.

Matthew Ford is the third player in third spot – aiming to win back-to-back Brooks Brothers Classic titles after winning at Five Lakes in 2008. Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) began the day at one under par and picked up two birdies with a bogey on both nines to shoot 69 and join Harris and Whiffin.

Sandeep Grewal (Heswall) joined Reed and McElhinney in shooting 66 to move to two under for the tournament, where he is joined by Lee Harper (Archerfield Links), Gary Carter and overnight co-leader Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC).

Round of the day belonged to Adam Frayne who set a new course record with his eight under 63 to move to one under for the tournament. Frayne (St Mellion) picked up five birdies in his front nine with a sixth at the tenth to move to six under. He dropped a shot at the 12th but three birdies in his last four holes saw him home in a remarkable score which puts him in contention on the final day. He is joined by another overnight co-leader Andrew Shakespear (Five Lakes), Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel), Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) and Jason Kelly (Wentworth) in a tie for tenth place.

Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) turned his tournament around with a fine second round 65 to move to level par for the tournament. Brooks looked in danger of missing out on the chance to improve on his third place in the Order of Merit after shooting a 77 on Wednesday and fared little better at the start of his second round, picking up two birdies after starting on the back nine but dropping those shots at 16 and 17 to be level for the day through the front nine. But the 22 year-old eagled the third and grabbed three birdies from the fourth and another birdie at the last to record a six under second round. Fourth placed man Jack Doherty (North Gailes) joins Brooks at level par (=15th), while second placed man Tom Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) is two over for the tournament (=25th), but Elliot Saltman (Aegon) will not be in action after finishing on seven over.

Fifty-six players made the cut at five over and the final round of The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa in Essex gets underway at 8am with the final pairing of Reed and McElhinney teeing-off at 12.13pm. The full Leaderboard is available at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link, where live scoring of the conclusion to the 11th event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour will be available.

Ladies 'Turkey Shoot' at Stand Golf Club

A Ladies Team Open 'Turkey Shoot' will be played at Stand Golf Club on Tuesday 3rd November 2009.

The 12-hole Stableford has an entry-fee of £40 per team of 4 with entrants advised to book early to secure their place in this popular tournament.

The competition has a maximum handicap limit of 36 with the two best scores to count on each hole. The price also includes refreshments in the clubhouse after play. An entry-form can be found here.

Stand is a golf course with a superb mixture of parkland and heathland features, with stunning views over Lancashire and surrounding counties.

The course measures 6,411 yards with only two par fives and two par threes representing a fine test for all standards of golfer. For many years the course has been the envy of the area, with superb fairways and greens playable all year round.

The signature holes are the tough 4th, 9th and 10th, with the par 3 13th surrounded by bunkers and rhododendron bushes!

Seniors Mixed Open at Thornbury Golf Club

A Seniors' Mixed Open will take place at Thornbury Golf Club on Tuesday 22nd September 2009.

The Betterball Stableford competition is for couples over 55 years of age and with a maximum handicap of 28 for men and 36 for ladies. Entry is good value at £25 per pair with an optional 2-course carvery & coffee available at £10 each (bookable in advance).

The closing date is the 17th September but the tournament is expected to fill up quickly so hurry if you would like to enter and secure your place! An entry-form is available here.

Thornbury is a scenic 18 hole course maintained to the highest standards and in excellent condition all year round. The 6,308 yard layout is one that golfers of all abilities will enjoy playing.

Thanks to its position on high ground, the course offers beautiful panoramic views over the rolling countryside, across the Severn Estuary to Wales and the distant Cotswold Hills. The clear, West Country air will fill your lungs during your round - just as well, because the High Course’s demanding closing stretch, including the infamous 17th, will cause a deep intake of breath!

Trio share the lead at Five Lakes

Evans, Mackie and Shakespear three under in Essex

Three players share the lead at three under par after the opening round of The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club and Spa in Essex – the 11th event of the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour.

Andrew Shakespear (Five Lakes) began superbly with birdies at the second and third holes of his home course, and moved to four under with an eagle at the tenth – a bogey followed at the 11th to see him card a three under round of 68 on his EuroPro Tour debut.

Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) had an eventful round, starting on the back nine with a birdie at the tenth, and going through the turn at two under par thanks to birdies at the 15th and 18th after dropping a shot at 12. He moved to three under with a fourth birdie at the second but followed that double bogey at the fifth to drop to one under. A strong finish was required and that’s exactly what the Rotherham man delivered, birdies at the seventh and ninth to finish with a 68.

Steven Mackie (Dunnikier Park GC) also started on the back nine and moved to his penultimate hole of the day at four under before a double bogey at the eighth threatened to spoil his day. Mackie brushed himself off and recorded his fifth birdie of the day at the ninth to grab a share of the lead with Shakespear and Evans.

James Mason (Rotherham GC) is one stroke behind the leaders but will feel he should at least have a share of the lead after spoiling the end of a promising opening round. Mason picked up three birdies in his opening 15 holes after starting on the back nine, but recorded back-to-back bogeys from the seventh to drop to one under – a birdie at the ninth seeing him record a round of 69.

The ninth hole was pivotal in allowing Sean Whiffin and Nicky Harris to join Mason in fourth spot after both men started on the back nine. Whiffin endured a tricky start to his round, recording two birdies and three bogeys in to go through the turn at one over par. The start of the front nine was more to his taste and he picked up three birdies from the first to move to two under but he dropped to level after bogeys at the seventh and eighth holes. He was not to be denied his place one stroke behind the leaders though and recorded an eagle three at the par-five ninth to finish an eventful round on 69.

Harris (Whitefield GC) kicked his round off with two birdies but like Whiffin found himself at one over par after nine holes with bogeys at the 12th, 17th and 18th. An eagle at the third hole put his round back on track and his birdie at the ninth saw him join Whiffin and Mason in fourth spot.

Last year’s Brooks Brothers Classic winner Matthew Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) is one of three players at one under for the tournament – Ford recording three birdies and two bogeys in his round of 70. James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) carded the same tally in his opening effort, while Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) picked up three birdies on the back nine after going through the front nine two over par, a double bogey at the third the blot on his card.

It was a windy day in Essex which made conditions tough for the players, and the pressure is great with the prize money up for grabs crucial to the Order of Merit places – and the players at the top of the money list all endured disappointing first rounds. Tom Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) moved into second spot with his victory at Formby Hall in Liverpool last week and with Order of Merit leader Scott Jamieson playing on the Challenge Tour this week the door looked open for him to take over at the top, but an opening round of 75 leaves him with plenty of work to do at four over.

Haylock was playing with pre-tournament favourite Elliot Saltman (Aegon) who currently sits in fifth place on the money list, but the 11/1 shot with Sky Bet was only able to shoot a round of 74. Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) is in third place but went round in 77 in his first round, so after the initial exchanges it looks like fourth place man Jack Doherty (North Gailes) could be the player to watch at the top of the Order of Merit, finishing with a level par 71.

To view the full Leaderboard from The Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club and Spa, visit www.europrotour.com and click on the Score Updates link on the homepage.

Haylock 11/1 for Five Lakes title

Elliot Saltman 10/1 favourite for Essex event

Tom Haylock is 11/1 second favourite for the Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at the Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa in Colchester with official bookmakers Sky Bet, beginning on Wednesday August 26.

Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) won the Formby Hall Classic at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool last week to move into second spot on the Order of Merit, behind leader Scott Jamieson, who is in action on the Challenge Tour this week.

Elliot Saltman (Aegon) set a new course record in the opening round in Liverpool but eventually finished in joint seventh spot, but the powerful Scotsman is the 10/1 favourite to win the 11th event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour schedule.

With events running out before the end of the Tour, the £10,000 prize money up for grabs in at Five Lakes, with Saltman in fifth spot in the money list. Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) is in third spot on the Order of Merit and is 25/1 to win, one place ahead of Jack Doherty (North Gailes) who is 22/1. Paul Dwyer is in sixth spot and is the 16/1 third favourite, while Matthew Ford (Marriot Tudor Park) is 33/1 to repeat his 2008 victory at Five Lakes.

To view the full market with Sky Bet, click here – http://www.skybet.com

Live scoring from the Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic at Five Lakes Golf, Country Club & Spa will be available from the start of play on Wednesday at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link on the homepage.

Book Golf Tee Times Online

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Bunker Mentality clothing up for grabs!

There are only a couple of days remaining to enter our free prize draw to win some funky Bunker Mentality clothing.

Enter the competition here.

Smithies holds on to sword

ROGER Smithies retained the Royton Sword by an emphatic seven strokes for his first victory of the season in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit which he won in 2002.

The Manchester Hopwood player, who represented Lancashire 67 times until he retired from county golf three years ago, was the only competitor to break par as he posted 69 and 67, four-under in total.

He led by a shot at the half-way stage then extended his advantage with four birdies, two on each loop, and a lone bogey at the 17th.

Host club hope Chris Rabbich claimed second place, a shot ahead of the rest of the field.

Meanwhile, Prestbury’s Mike Bedford goes into the crucial Bank Holiday weekend, which features three fixtures, leading the order of merit by 95 points from title holder Mark Young, from Longridge.

DETAILS: 136 Roger Smithies (Manchester) 69 67; 143 Chris Rabbich (Crompton & Royton) 70 73; 144 James Oliphant (Oliva Nova) 76 68, Kris Sutcliffe (Crompton & Royton) 75 69, Ewan Patterson (St Annes Old Links) 73 71, Martin France (Lymm) 70 74; 145 Louie Laviscount (Wilpshire) 72 73;146 Nick Fallows (North Manchester) 74 72; 147 Paul Biggins (Accrington) 74 73, Andy Allen (Crompton & Royton) 74 73; 149 Liam Kindon (North Manchester) 79 70, John Flint (Crompton & Royton) 73 76.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 625 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 530 Mark Young (Longridge), Carl Thompson (Manchester); 450 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 395 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 320 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 270 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 250 James Wilson (Formby), Zac Harrison (Preston); 245 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven), Paul McFerran (Childwall).

Northern Order of Merit

Those golfers with a 'category 1' handicap are advised to check out the Northern Order of Merit page on the Golf Empire website.

Here you will find dates and venues of all remaining tournaments on the 2009 schedule along with the corresponding entry-forms. Results and reports of tournaments already played this year are also listed.

Haylock clinches crucial Formby Hall title

Tom’s 68 sees him edge thrilling FINAL day in Liverpool

Tom Haylock has moved into second spot in the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit after securing his second title of the year in the Formby Hall Classic at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool.

Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd) began the day five shots off the lead at one under par but set about climbing the Leaderboard with seven birdies in his final round – five in six holes from the ninth – and clinched the title by one stroke from James Freeman at five under despite a double bogey at 17.

“I wasn’t really thinking about it at the start of the day,” said Haylock, who climbs from tenth in the Order of Merit to sit one place behind money list leader Scott Jamieson. “I knew it was going to be windy throughout but I can’t say I was looking for anything other than one or two under and top ten really.”

The Hertfordshire man was one under for the day after the eighth hole when his remarkable birdie run began, although his six at the par-four 17th almost prevented him from adding this title to his first of the year claimed at Stoke by Nayland at the beginning of July.

“I just started holing putts at the start of the back nine,” said the 22 year-old. “I looked at the scoreboard at 15 and knew I was on top and if I could pick one more up in the last few holes I’d be in great shape. Then came the double bogey at 17 and the last is a tough hole too so I thought ‘here we go’, but thankfully in the end it was enough.”

With the end of the Tour drawing closer, the £10,000 first prize at Formby Hall was much coveted in the chase for a top five spot and a Challenge Tour card, something that the champion is very aware of.

“I’m in a great position of course but there’s still work to be done. The Tour Championship is worth £20,000 to whoever wins so that’s two tournaments effectively, but a top five place is in my hands now,” said Haylock, a 33/1 shot for the tournament with official bookmakers Sky Bet.

Freeman (Worksop) carded a three under round of 69 to take second spot after opening rounds of 73 and 70, but ultimately he will regret a bogey at the last which prevented a play-off with Haylock – and he wasn’t the only player who came close to winning on a topsy-turvy final day.

Jack Doherty (North Gailes) returns home to Scotland regretting the last four holes of his round, where two double bogeys and a bogey undid his earlier good work. Doherty roared out of the traps with five birdies and an eagle in his first seven holes to move to seven under for the tournament, and was eight under after another birdie at 14. But those five dropped shots from that point saw him card 70 and meant he had ended in a four-way tie for third, and drops one place to fourth in the money list.

Doherty’s burst put overnight leader Tim Dykes (Wrexham GC) under real pressure when he went out in the last pairing with Elliot Saltman (Aegon) – Dykes was six under going into the final round with Saltman one stroke behind him, but both men endured frustrating days. Dykes was level at the turn before picking up a birdie at the tenth but a double bogey on the next hole followed by bogeys at 13, 15 and 16 ended his chances of victory, the Welshman carding a final round 75 to finish three under.

Ricky Lee (Tyneside GC) is another man whose strong claims for victory were ruined by the tough final holes, eventually joining Dykes and Doherty in third place despite moving into a commanding position through the front nine. Lee went through the turn at five under for the day – seven under for the tournament – but failed to register another birdie and bogeyed the 12th hole before a miserable run of three bogeys in the last three holes left him with a final round of 71. South African Michiel Bothma also returned a 71 to end on three under for the tournament.

Saltman was the 2/1 favourite overnight with Sky Bet despite being one stroke behind, but he gave himself too much to do after starting with bogeys on the first two holes. The Scotsman moved to one under after the tenth but matched Dykes’ double bogey at 11 and followed that with a bogey at 12 and another double at 15 to card a final round of 75 after setting the course record with a opening round of 65 – finishing two under for the tournament and dropping one place to fifth on the Order of Merit.

Paul Dwyer (Clitheroe) began the day at two over par, but a fine round of 68 saw him join Saltman at two under along with Neil Walker (Rotherham GC), Mark Kerr (Golf Fit Ltd/Bathgate GC) and Scott Henry (Cardross GC).

The PGA EuroPro Tour moves to Five Lakes Hotel, Golf, Country Club & Spa for the Brooks Brothers 2009 Classic in Essex, beginning Wednesday August 26.

To view the full Leaderboard from the tournament, click here: http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/event/europro98/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

FINAL SCORES FROM THE FORMBY HALL CLASSIC
1 Tom Haylock 70, 73, 68 211 -5 £10,000
2 James Freeman 73, 70, 69 212 -4 £5,000
=3 Jack Doherty 72, 71, 70 213 -3 £1,700
=3 Michiel Bothma 72, 70, 71 213 -3 £1,700
=3 Ricky Lee 70, 72, 71 213 -3 £1,700
=3 Tim Dykes 67, 71, 75 213 -3 £1,700
=7 Paul Dwyer 72, 74, 68 214 -2 £860
=7 Neil Walker 70, 74, 70 214 -2 £860
=7 Mark Kerr 69, 74, 71 214 -2 £860
=7 Scott Henry 69, 72, 73 214 -2 £860
=7 Elliot Saltman 65, 74, 75 214 -2 £860

G-tour Amateur Golf Event at Mannings Heath Golf Club

We are delighted to inform you about a G-tour amateur golf event that will take place at Mannings Heath Golf Club on Friday 28th August.

The cost of entry is excellent value at just £35 per person, including refreshments on arrival, and is limited to 60 entrants so be quick if you fancy playing at this fantastic course.

Run by golfers for golfers "Gtour 2009" is the UK's amateur golf tour for wannabe Tigers and Sorrenstams. Whether you play off scratch or 28 (36 for ladies) you are welcome to take part in a great days golf and make many new friends with like minded golfers. Visit the official G-tour website.

The Course...
Opened in 1996, the beautiful par 70 Kingfisher Course at Mannings Heath is set in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and offers breathtaking panoramic views over the tree tops and across the South Downs.

With USGA specification tees and greens, which in the summer months resemble glass blown curves, the bent grass tricks even the most experienced of short game specialist!

Free Prize Draw

Even if you are unable to play in this competition you can still enter the G-tour Free Prize Draw where you can win some great Bunker Mentality clothing.

Open Competitions at Blackburn Golf Club

Some fabulous open competitions are due to be played at Blackburn Golf Club later this year.

A full list of the tournaments with dates, costs and direct links to the entry-forms can be seen here.

The first event is a Northern Order of Merit competition, the prestigious Revidge Cannon. This is a 36-hole individual medal for male golfers with a single figure handicap. It will be played on the 30th August and is great value at £24 especially considering lunch is included.

A Senior Ladies Team Open is to be held on the 9th September for over 50's whilst a Gents Pairs Open is staged four days later with a maximum handicap of 20. A Gents Senior Pairs Open is held during the same week for over 55's and is just £22 per pair to enter!

Two further events will be played in October - another Senior Pairs Open and a Ladies Team Open. Get your entries in quickly though as all the above events are usually extremely popular.

Blackburn is a parkland course with superb views of the Lancashire coast and Pennine Hills. Founded in 1894 it is set amongst rolling hills and has lush greens and fairways that offer a test for any golfer.

New drainage, the maturing of trees and additional bunkers have made the course into one of the most popular in the region.

2010 Open Golf Competitions

2010 open golf competitions are already starting to be listed on Golf Empire, the largest and fastest growing open golf competition website.

You can even get email alerts whenever a new event is added in your region by signing up to the open competition updater.

Simply select your region and the type(s) of open golf events you would like to be informed about and an email will be delivered to your inbox every time a new event is added that fits your criteria!

That way you can be alerted as soon as a new 2010 open golf competition is listed.

Saltman 2/1 to take Formby Hall victory

Scotsman favourite to overcome one shot deficit – leader Dykes 7/2

Elliot Saltman is the 2/1 favourite with Sky Bet – the official bookmakers of the PGA EuroPro Tour – to win the Formby Hall Classic at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool, despite being one shot behind leader Tim Dykes, 7/2 shot for victory.

Saltman (Aegon) was seven under ahead of the second round but posted a two over round of 74 to drop to five under. Dykes (Wrexham GC) began his round at five under and struggled initially to pounce on Saltman’s misfortune by dropping two shots through the turn but he quickly wrestled them back and a birdie at the last gave the Welshman a round of 71 for one shot lead at six under.

Adam Frayne (St Mellion) matched his opening round 70 to move to four under par and is 15/2 third favourite for the title, with Scott Henry (Cardross GC – 8/1) and Daniel Wardrop (Didsbury GC – 9/1) three shots behind Dykes at three under.

Ricky Lee (Tyneside GC – 33/1), Michiel Bothma (South Africa – 16/1) and Lee Harper (Archerfield Links – 33/1) are four shots behind Dykes at two under, one shot clear of Lloyd Saltman (Aegon – 33/1), Jack Doherty (North Gailes – 33/1), Tom Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd – 33/1), Mark Kerr (Golf Fit Ltd/Bathgate GC – 66/1), Anthony Tarchetti (Princes GC – 66/1), Tim Rice (Limerick – 66/1), Brian McElhinney (Team Ireland – 80/1), James Mason (Rotherham GC – 100/1),Rob Leonard (Mid Herts – 100/1) and James Freeman (Worksop – 150/1).

Order of Merit leader Scott Jamieson is level after two rounds and 50/1 for victory, the same score as Daniel Gaunt (Burhill GC – 66/1), Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool – 66/1) and Neil Walker (Rotherham GC – 80/1).

To bet on the final round of the Formby Hall Classic with Sky Bet, click here: http://www.skybet.com

Live scoring on the climax to the tenth event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour is available at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link on the homepage.

Dykes nabs final round lead at Formby Hall

Birdie at the last gives Welshman one shot advantage in Liverpool

Tim Dykes holds a one shot advantage over Elliot Saltman at six under par ahead of Friday’s final round of the Formby Hall Classic at the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool, the tenth event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour.

Challenge Tour regular Dykes (Wrexham GC) was five under par going into the second round and went out in the final three-ball of the day. Initially it looked the 29 year-old would not capitalise on Saltman’s off day, starting on the back nine and moving to six under after his first hole but recording four bogeys and just one further birdie to drop to three under par at the turn. Birdies at the second and third holes saw him restore parity and he edged one stroke clear of Saltman with a birdie at the last to shoot 71.

Saltman (Aegon) was seven under par going into the second round after setting a new course record in Wednesday’s opening round, but he got off to a tough start early in the morning on the back nine with a bogey at the tenth – his first. A second bogey at the 15th saw him go out two over for the day and that soon became three over with a third bogey at the first hole. The 27 year-old remained three over until the seventh where he recorded his only birdie of the day and finished with a 74 to drop to five under for the tournament – still in good shape to improve on his fourth place standing on the Order of Merit.

Adam Frayne (St Mellion) is two shots off the lead after recording his second round of 70. Frayne traded three birdies for three bogeys in his first 13 holes starting on the back nine, but an eagle at the par-four fifth means he is nicely poised at four under par.

Daniel Wardrop (Didsbury GC) recorded the round of the day to move into contention on the final day at three under. Beginning the day at two over par, Wardrop was back to level by the fifth hole and moved to three under at the 12th. The Manchester man dropped his only shot of the day at 15 but a birdie at the last saw him record a fine five under par 67. Wardrop is joined in fourth spot by Scott Henry (Cardross GC) who recorded four birdies and four bogeys in a level par round to remain three under after an opening round of 69.

Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) and Michiel Bothma (South Africa) carded rounds of 69 and 70 respectively to move to two under for the tournament, joining Ricky Lee (Tyneside GC) in sixth place after he recorded a level par second round.

Elliot has been joined in Liverpool by younger brothers Lloyd and Zack (both Aegon) and Lloyd blitzed the front nine with an eagle and three birdies after going through the back nine first at one over to card a four under par round of 68 and move to one under – one of ten players five shots off the lead. Zack was left to rue a double bogey at the first as he missed the cut by one shot at four over par.

Order of Merit leader Scott Jamieson recorded another level par round, but second place man in the money list Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) will not be in action in the final round after missing the cut. Third placed Jack Doherty (North Gailes) is one under par, while fifth placed Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) also misses out.

Fifty players will tee off in tomorrow’s final round of the Formby Hall Classic at the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool, which begins at 8am. Dykes and Saltman begin at 12.10pm and live scoring of what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament is available at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link on the homepage, where you can view the full Leaderboard.

Charity Team Open at Ashton-under-Lyne

There are still a few places available in what promises to be a fantastic days golf at Ashton-under-Lyne Golf Club on Friday 11th September.

A Charity Open is taking place that is open to both gents and ladies and takes the form of a Team Stableford. Full catrering is included on the day and with the cost of entry at £200 per team (£50 per person) this represent excellent value for money at a superb venue. More details available here.

Single Figure Events in Wales

We are delighted to inform you about three events to be played on the Single Figure Golfer schedule in Wales.

Details of the events can be found below:

1. Fri 21st August @ Clays GC - £20 - (01978 661406).
2. Mon 24th August @ Monmouthshire GC - £35 - (01873 852606).
3. Wed 26th August @ Tenby GC - £35 - call (01834 842978).

Each event represents an excellent chance to qualify for the end-of-season SFG Qualifying School at Celtic Manor as each event is limited to a maximum of 24 players.

Due to the tight deadlines of the tournaments contact telephone numbers have been provided for each event so you can check availability and enter. You can also email editor@singlefiguregolf.co.uk for more information and to secure your place.

All the events are played over 18 holes, some include pre and after golf food and refreshment - see entry individual entry forms for more information (available here).

Even if you cannot play in any of the events you can still enter the SFG Free Prize Draw to stand a chance of winning 5-dozen Srixon Z-Star Golf Balls.

Senior Pairs Open at Chevin Golf Club

A Gents Senior Pairs Open will be held at Chevin Golf Club on Monday 14th September.

The competition is a 4BBB Stableford open to gentlemen golfers with a maximum handicap of 28 who are 55 or over on the day. The tournament will be played off 3/4 handicap with a maximum of 18 shots. Tee Times are available from 8am to 3pm but are filling up quickly so hurry if you are thinking of entering this popular tournament.

The cost of entry is excellent value at £30 per pair and an entry-form can be found here. Those wishing to eat on the day can also book a meal in advance by calling 01332 842842.

Chevin Golf Club prides itself in being one of the premier clubs in the Midlands. The course is situated 6 miles north of Derby, at Duffield on the start of the Chevin Hills.

The course is part parkland and part moorland with magnificent countryside views providing a good test of golf at just over 6,000 yards with a SSS of 69.

Clarke wins at the death

THE Leeds Cup, professional golf’s oldest trophy, stayed in Yorkshire when Chris Clarke prevailed at the third sudden death hole against former winner John Wells over a Cobble Hall course he had never previously played.

“I did not even have the benefit of a practice round,” said first year trainee assistant at Wath club Waterfront Golf. “I think it was a blessing in disguise because I had no knowledge of the difficult holes.”

But he also admitted: “This time a week ago I was feeling disheartened because I was not playing at all well. I took a few days off and won an event at Huddersfield on Monday so the break must have done me some good.

“This is my first big win and is a great start to my career. I hope I can kick on from here but my main priority to complete my training.”

Clarke, 25, was the most consistent player in the 36-hole tournament, missing only two greens in regulation in rounds of 68 and 64, six-under-par in total. “I just kept patient with my putting because I knew a lot of the lads were not holing as many as they would have expected,” he added.

A play-off was perhaps inevitable after eight players had shared the overnight lead and it evoked memories of a year ago when it took six attempts to settle matters on the same par three 18th.

On this occasion, however, it was decided at the third attempt when Wells, the 2007 winner from Cherry Burton, missed a two-foot putt which agonisingly lipped out after Clarke had drained his from twice the distance.

“It was dead straight but I pushed it,” lamented the 31-year-old although he conceded he was pleased with the way he had played, explaining that he did not get as many opportunities because of work commitments.

Clarke, who rolled in five birdies in his 64, was also inspired by his playing partner Greg Hyde, from Grange Park municipal. “He’s one of my oldest friends,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, his name will be etched alongside such luminaries as Harry Vardon, first winner in 1902 and in more recent times European Tour players Gordon Brand and Phil Archer. Shot of the day was by Aldersley Green pro Richard Bean who aced the 126-yard sixth with a nine iron. It was his first in a tournament and sixth all told.

LEADING SCORES: 132 Chris Clarke (Waterfront Golf) 68 64, John Wells (Cherry Burton) 67 65 (Clarke wins at third play-off hole); 134 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 68 66, Andrew Turner (Knaresborough) 70 64, Andrew Barnett (North Wales DR) 67 67, Neil Cheetham (Dore & Totley) 66 68; 135 Steve McNally (unatt) 68 67, Fraser Kelley (Malton & Norton) 66 69; 136 Jeff Mathews (Samlesbury DR) 71 65, Freddy Valenti (Priors Hayes) 71 65, Mike Kanski (Hesketh) 69 67, Steve Parry (SP Golf School) 69 67, Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 69 67, Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 69 67, Michael Nesbit (Westerhope) 68 68, David Wilcock (Gathurst) 67 69, James Salt (Ashton-under-Lyne) 66 70.

Elliot Saltman on top at Formby Hall

Scotsman records course record 65 to lead in Liverpool

Elliot Saltman set a new course record at the Formby Hall Classic in Liverpool with a 65 in the opening round at the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa to lead by two shots at seven under in the tenth event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour.

Saltman (Aegon) entered the event in fourth spot in the Order of Merit with three events to play, and laid the foundations to take over at the summit with a brilliant front nine – an eagle at the third followed by three birdies to go out at five under. Birdies at the tenth and 13th moved him to seven under and although he dropped a shot at 17, he notched his sixth birdie of the day at the last to finish at seven under par, a new course record since the venue’s layout was changed.

Saltman is joined in Liverpool by younger brothers Lloyd and Zack (both Aegon) who both finished the day at three over par (75).

Challenge Tour regular Tim Dykes (Wrexham GC) holds second spot at five under, reaching the 15th at four under where he dropped his only shot of the day – but a strong finish with birdies on the last two holes saw him card an opening round 67.

Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) sits in third spot after a four under round of 68, with the Scotsman five under through 12 with an eagle at the third before bogeys at 13 and 15 put the skids on his progress – a fourth birdie at 16 steadied the ship for the 49 year-old.

With the top five on the Order of Merit gaining Challenge Tour cards, James Busby (The Shropshire) couldn’t have timed his opening round of 69 any better. Busby sits in sixth spot on the money list and picked up three birdies without dropping a shot to finish three under for the day and is joined in fourth spot by Scott Henry (Cardross GC), James Hepworth (Ilkley GC) and Mark Kerr (Golf Fit Ltd/Bathgate GC).

A calamitous finish by George Woolgar (Capitalservices.com) ruined his earlier good work to leave him six shots off the lead at one under. Woolgar was three under to the par-three 13th but moved to five under there with a hole in one – but he went on to bogey the last four holes of his round to record a 71.

Order of Merit leader Scott Jamieson is level after the opening round along with Jack Doherty (North Gailes) who is third in the money list. Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) is in second spot on the list but has plenty of work to do if he is to keep the pressure on Jamieson after carding a six over 78 in Liverpool. Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) holds fifth spot in the money list but failed to make an impression in the North West, finishing with a 75.

The second round of the Formby Hall Classic from the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa begins at 7.30am on Thursday morning, with live scoring available at www.europrotour.com via the Score Updates link, where you can also find the full Leaderboard from the opening round.

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Hazlehead Open Re-arranged

The 'Hazlehead Open' that was originally planned for the 15th August has been re-arranged due to inclement weather.

The event is a gents individual open. The cost of entry is £16 (£8 for season pass holders) and it is a strokeplay competition with a maximum handicap of 24. An entry-form can be found here.

A seniors open will also be held on the 3rd September 2009. Cost of entry is just £10 and tee-times are available between 9.30am and 1.30pm. An entry-form can be found here.

Hazlehead is a picturesque course and one of the finest clubs in the North East of Scotland.

The course, located in a beautiful setting, provides a true test of golf skills with gorse and woodland being a hazard for any wayward shots. Several well-known competitions are held at Hazlehead on a regular basis.

Eight tie for Leeds lead

SO many players took route 66 in the Leeds Cup that they caused a logjam.

Five headed that way in the pro-am and an astonishing eight followed them to take pole position in the first round.

It was a situation believed to be unprecedented in the PGA North Region but the Cobble Hall course, where professional golf’s oldest trophy was instigated in 1902, is noted for springing a few surprises.

Last year there was a four-way play-off which stretched to six extra holes - and no-one is betting against that not happening again.

PGA Cup player Will Barnes lived up to his pre-tournament favourite billing with the steadiest round of the day which featured three birdies and 15 pars.

“I had a couple of putts lip out but I was happy with my score because this was my first sight of the course,” said the Lancaster-based teaching pro whose boss at the Garstang academy, Paul Eales, trailed him by two shots.

Lee Rooke, a 30-year-old assistant at Vale of Llangollen, was early clubhouse leader and attributed his success to keeping out of the trees, which flank every fairway, and holing medium length putts.

Half the front-runners were Yorkshire players. Dore & Totley’s Neil Cheetham, taking a break from the South Africa tour, ran up a triple bogey seven at the fourth when his approach shot ran through the green and ended under a tree but he repaired the damage with an eagle and three birdies.

Fraser Kelley, from Malton & Norton, birdied the final hole to join the pack which included Hillsborough’s Mark Allen and Adam Davison, from Waterton Park.

Graeme Lisle kept the North East flag flying, the Carlisle man also picking up a shot at the last but James Salt, from Ashton-under-Lyne, was on course to take the outright lead until he double bogeyed the 16th after racking up five birdies in his first eight holes.

LEADING SCORES: 66 Lee Rooke (Vale of Llangollen), Neil Cheetham (Dore & Totley), Mark Allen (Hillsborough), James Salt (Ashton-under-Lyne), Fraser Kelley (Malton & Norton), Graeme Lisle (Carlisle), Adam Davison (Waterton Park), Will Barnes (Garstang); 67 John Wells (Cherry Burton), Joseph Feather (Leeds Golf Centre), David Astin (Woodsome Hall), David Wilcox (Gathurst), Andrew Barnett (North Wales DR); 68 Gary Brown (Ganton), George Cowan (Westerhope), David Clark (Morpeth), Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Paul Eales (Garstang), John Fisher (Huyton & Prescot), Michael Nesbit (Westerhope), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Richard Bean (Aldersley Green), Nick Ludwell (Selby), Laurie Turner (Scalm Park), Greg Hyde (Grange Park Muni). Stephen McNally (De Vere Oulton Hall), Chris Clarke (Waterfront Golf).

Thompson in groove at Hazel Grove

CARL Thompson blew the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title race wide open when he won the Bosden Trophy at Hazel Grove.

It was the Manchester Hopwood player’s second victory of the season following his success in the Calvert Trophy at Ashton & Lea as he moved into joint second place alongside title holder Mark Young.

They trail 95 points behind Prestbury’s Mike Bedford but with nine fixtures remaining at least a dozen players are still in contention as Lancashire champion Young, from Longridge, pursues a record three successive crowns.

In testing conditions, Thompson set the first round pace with a level par 71 despite bogeying the last two holes.

He followed up with 75, recovering from a treble bogey seven at the fourth and could even afford to shed a stroke on the final hole as he prevailed by two from Didsbury’s Ben Bellfield who signed for 78 and 71.

DETAILS: 146 Carl Thompson (Manchester) 71 75; 148 Ben Bellfield (Didsbury) 75 73; 149 Martin Thomas (Royal Liverpool) 78 71; 151 Ewan Patterson (St Annes Old Links) 79 72, Jack Brooks (Pleasington) 79 72, Neal Jones (Vicars Cross) 75 76, Andrew Hill (Hazel Grove) 75 76, Josh Evans (Mere) 74 77; 152 Liam Hunt (High Legh Park) 78 74, Peter Hadfield (Hazel Grove) 76 76, Henry Featherstone (Ringway) 74 78; 153 James Hall (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 75 78.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 625 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 530 Mark Young (Longridge), Carl Thompson (Manchester); 450 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 395 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 310 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 270 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 250 James Wilson (Formby), Zac Harrison (Preston); 245 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven), Paul McFerran (Childwall); 230 Alex Hogben (Ringway).

Jamieson 12/1 to claim Formby Hall title

Order of Merit leader hunts third Tour win in Liverpool

Scott Jamieson moved to the top of the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit with victory in The ABC Solutions Championship at Wychwood Park in Crewe last week, and he is the 12/1 favourite with Sky Bet to win his third event of the year at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool, starting on Wednesday August 19.

Jamieson’s latest win followed his first £10,000 winner’s cheque at The PartyPoker.com European Championship at Prince’s Golf Club in June and he took over from Daniel Brooks at the top of the money list with his win in Crewe. Brooks (Mill Hill) finished third in The ABC Solutions Championship and is 22/1 to win in Liverpool, with runner-up James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) 25/1 for victory.

European Tour stalwart Andrew Marshall and Elliot Saltman (Aegon) are the joint second favourites for the event at 20/1, while Daniel Gaunt (Burhill GC) joins Brooks at 22/1. Recent winner Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC), Martin Sell (Golf Analysis Ltd) and Paul Dwyer (Clitheroe) accompany Ruebotham at 25/1.

Formby Hall is the tenth event on the 2009 Tour and with just two events after Liverpool, the £10,000 first prize is crucial in the hunt for a top five place to get onto the 2010 Challenge Tour. Danny Nickless, operations manager for the PGA EuroPro Tour, said: “With only a couple of events left, Formby Hall could prove decisive in setting out the top five places this year. It’s a fine venue with a challenging course and the winner there will have to play to the best of their abilities to take home first prize.”

The action at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa gets underway on Wednesday morning and live scoring will be in operation at www.europrotour.com

To view the full market for the tournament with official bookmakers Sky Bet, click here: http://www.skybet.com

Win 5-dozen Srixon Z-Star Golf Balls

As an official partner Golf Empire have teamed up with Single Figure Golfer and their main equipment sponsor Srixon to give one lucky player the chance to win 5 dozen Z-Star Golf Balls.

To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is have a handicap of 12 or less and then tell us what ball you currently use.

Enter Now!

The winner will be selected at random on 16th September 2009 - Good Luck!

The Single Figure Golfer Tour is a series of events for golfers with a handicap of under-10 throughout the UK.

The winners of each regional event have the chance to represent their County and also have the opportunity to qualify to play in a team captained by Peter McEvoy against former Ryder, Walker and Solheim Cup players in a two-day event. Here you can see the full 2009 schedule.

Jamieson cruises to victory at Wychwood Park

Scotsman wins second title of the year by seven strokes in Crewe!

Scott Jamieson took a step closer to the Challenge Tour, winning The ABC Solutions UK Championship at Wychwood Park in Crewe by seven strokes at 12 under for his second title of the year.

The Scotsman began the day three shots clear at eight under after recording a course record 65 in the second round and began with two birdies to stretch his lead. A bogey at the eighth was a blip that he put right on the back nine but he withstood pressure from eventual runner-up James Ruebotham to record final round of 68 to win by seven shots and pick up his second £10,000 winner’s cheque after claiming the PartyPoker.com European Championship at Prince’s Golf Club in June.

“I’m really delighted with the win – I had another solid day today,” said Jamieson, whose victory takes him to the top of the Order of Merit. “There was a dodgy patch in the middle but I started and finished well and got the job done.”

Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) made his move on the seventh after remaining at five under through his first six holes, picking up four birdies to the 12th to close the gap to just one stroke.

“Normally I wouldn’t look at the scoreboards but because I was in the lead I did so I knew whether or not I had to take risks or just stick to solid golf,” said Jamieson. “When I was at the 12th I was ten under and could see that James had moved to nine under through 12 and was obviously playing well. I knew that in my remaining holes I needed to stick to the game plan and I managed to pick up so birdies which was great.”

Jamieson has a comfortable position at the top of the Order of Merit as the only player to have won two events on the Tour so far this year, but says he won’t be resting on his laurels as he closes on a Challenge Tour card and is aiming for a good performance when the Tour moves to Formby Hall in Liverpool next week for the tenth event this summer.

“I’m looking good on the Order of Merit now of course, but I still need to get some results,” said the 25 year-old. “I’m playing at Formby Hall and St Andrew’s Bay so I’ll be looking to make sure of a place in the top five with good results at those tournaments.”

Ruebotham was unable to maintain the pressure on Jamieson, dropping his first shot at the 13th and dropping shots at 15, 16 and 18 to finish his round at level par, five under for the tournament. Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) also bogeyed the last record a one over round of 73 and miss out on a tie for second – four over enough to take third place for the man Jamieson replaces at the top of the money list.

Martin Sell (Golf Analysis Ltd) was one of three players to shoot 68 in the final round, and that was saw him join a four-way tie for fourth spot at three under for the tournament with Nick McCarthy (Moortown), Steven Capper (Caldy GC) and Mark Ramsdale (Formby GC). James Hepworth (Ilkley GC) joined Sell and Jamieson is shooting four under and is one of five players tied for eighth spot – Michael Collins (Mallow Golf Range), Barry Hume, Adam Frayne (St Mellion) and Kevin Harper (East Devon) completing the group at two under for the tournament.

The tenth event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour begins at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool on Wednesday August 11. To view the full Leaderboard from the tournament visit this link: http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/event/europro97/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

And click here to view the Order of Merit after nine events: http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/poy/oom/index.htm

FINAL SCORES FROM THE ABC SOLUTIONS UK CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Scott Jamieson 71, 65, 68 204 -12 £10,000.00
2 James Ruebotham 69, 70, 72 211 -5 £5,000.00
3 Daniel Brooks 69, 70, 73 212 -4 £2,500.00
=4 Martin Sell 71, 74, 68 213 -3 £1,325.00
=4 Nick McCarthy 71, 73, 69 213 -3 £1,325.00
=4 Steven Capper 70, 74, 69 213 -3 £1,325.00
=4 Mark Ramsdale 73, 70, 70 213 -3 £1,325.00
=8 James Hepworth 72, 74, 68 214 -2 £800.00
=8 Michael Collins 70, 72, 72 214 -2 £800.00
=8 Barry Hume 67, 75, 72 214 -2 £800.00
=8 Adam Frayne 71, 70, 73 214 -2 £800.00
=8 Kevin Harper 69, 71, 74 214 -2 £800.00

Barnes has will to win the Leeds Cup

THREE members of the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team to face the United States at Loch Lomond resort Cameron House in September are out to cover themselves in personal glory in the Leeds Cup, professional golf’s oldest trophy, which starts at Cobble Hall next Tuesday (Aug 18).

The magnificent silver cup, which is still presented by the Mayor of Leeds, is adorned with many famous names including inaugural winner, Harry Vardon, who was the only player to claim six Open Championship titles. He was followed by such legends as George Duncan, Ted Ray, Archie Compston and Ryder Cup stars John Fallon, Ted Jarman and Alex Caygill and, more recently, Yorkshire’s own Gordon J Brand.

Firm favourite is Will Barnes who has been a force to contend with since he moved from the Midland to the North Region this season.

He has quickly notched up a couple of pro-am wins but the icing on the cake was his wire-to-wire victory in the Ryder Cup of Wales 2010 Welsh Open at Marriott St Pierre which secured the PGA Player of the Month award for July.

But Barnes knows only too well that his biggest threat in the 36-hole £10,000 tournament could come from former European Tour player Paul Eales – his boss at Garstang teaching academy.

Eales, probably better known today as BBC Sports on-course reporter, has been making his own news in the past few weeks with a joint win in the PokerStars Manx Classic at Mount Murray and second place tie in the Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park – the first of three regional order of merit tournaments.

Barnes surprisingly missed the cut in the latter so has an extra incentive to pick up crucial points at Leeds where his PGA Cup team-mates, Welshman Andrew Barnett and Houghwood assistant Barry Taylor, are also expected to be among the challengers.

Scott Barber, the second Waterton Park professional to claim the trophy after James Godbold in 2004, attempts to become the first to successfully defend it since David Dunk in 1975-76.

In addition to Barber, there are five former winners in the line-up stretching back to 1992 when Huddersfield’s Paul Carman prevailed. The others are Newcastle United’s Michael Archer (1996); Eaglescliffe’s Graeme Bell ( 2002); Gatley’s Jon Cheetham (2003) and Cherry Burton’s John Wells (2007).

The tournament will be preceded by a pro-am, which has attracted 38 teams.

Jamieson shoots course record to lead at Wychwood

Scott’s seven under 65 sees him three shots clear in Crewe!

Scott Jamieson recorded a new course record at Wychwood Park in Crewe with a 65 to lead The ABC Solutions UK Championship on the PGA EuroPro Tour by three strokes at eight under with one round to go.

Jamieson began the day one under after recording six birdies and five bogeys in his opening round of 71. But today he avoided dropping a shot, going through the front nine at three under and picking up four more birdies on the back nine, with his seventh of the day at 18 giving him a course record 65.

“I think I hit 15 greens today which I’m pleased with,” said the 25 year-old. “I had a lot more chances today and I wasn’t trying to save pars like I was yesterday so it was very pleasing.”

Jamieson sits in eighth spot in the Order of Merit and would all but seal a place in the top five should he add this title to his earlier play-off victory at The PartyPoker.com European Championship at Prince’s Golf Club in June, but said he is focusing on one round at a time before thinking about Challenge Tour cards.

“I’m not thinking that far ahead really as there are still a few tournaments to go. It’d be nice of course to be right up there with another win, but I’ve just got to keep doing what I have been doing tomorrow.”

The man Jamieson is chasing at the top of the money list is three strokes behind him in second spot at Wychwood Park. Order of Merit leader Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) continues his fine form as he followed an opening round 69 with a second round of 70 – dropping just one shot to share second place going into the final round. Daniel Perrett (Clevedon/Purplegolf) was in second place after his opening round of 68 and remains there alongside Brooks after a one under 71 in his second round. James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC) is the third man in second spot, finishing with a birdie at the ninth to card a two under round of 70 with four birdies.

Encouraged by a hole-in-one in his opening round, Kevin Harper (East Devon) moved from his overnight position of three under to five under at the turn before dropping shots at the 12th and 17th. But a third birdie of the day at the last ensured he was in sight of Jamieson in a tie for fifth place at four under with Steven Parry (Bolton) who didn’t drop a shot in his second two under round of 70 of the tournament.

Matthew Evans (Rotherham) is one of four players tied in seventh spot at four under after a second round of 68. Starting on the back nine at one over, he moved to level par at the turn then claimed three birdies in the opening four holes of the home stretch. Joining Evans at three under is Adam Frayne (St Mellion), Jack Doherty (North Gailes) and Daniel Belch (Golf Analysis Ltd).

Overnight leader Barry Hume gave himself a mountain to climb after starting at five under but wiping four shots off that lead by the turn on the back nine. A birdie at the first stopped the rot but a fifth bogey of the day came at the fourth – with a birdie at the eighth taking him to two under for the tournament, where he is joined by Robert Hearty (Bromborough), Chris Hanson (Crosland Heath), Barrie Trainor (South County) and Michael Collins (Mallow Golf Range).

Fifty-two players made the cut at three under and live scoring of the final round of The ABC Solutions UK Championship at Wychwood Park is available at the following link – http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/event/europro97/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

Hume finishes Well to grab lead at Wychwood Park

Scotsman five under, one ahead of Daniel Perrett - Harper’s bags hole-in-one!

Barry Hume leads The ABC Solutions UK Championship at Wychwood Park in Crewe by one stroke at five under par after the opening round in the ninth event on the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour.

The Scotsman played in one of the final groups to finish the opening day, starting and finishing superbly to card 67. He charged out of the blocks with three birdies in the first four holes before dropping his first shot at the sixth. It wasn’t until the 13th that his score moved from three under, and it was an eventful run in as he birdied 13 and 14 to move four under, dropping a shot at 15 before making birdies at 16 and the last to take claim a first round lead at five under.

His closest challenger is Daniel Perrett (Clevedon GC/Purplegolf) who started on the back nine with three birdies in his first six holes to go to the turn three under par. He moved to four under with a birdie at the first before dropping his first shot of the day on the third, recovering that shot at the seventh to finish four under and sit one behind the leader.

Perrett is one stroke clear of three players ahead of the second round. Order of Merit leader Daniel Brooks leads the chasing pack tied for third at three under par, claiming his sixth birdie of the day at the last to end with a round of 69. Kevin Harper (East Devon) began on the back nine and was one over as he reached the par three 17th, where he picked up a hole-in-one to move to one under – improving that to three under with birdies at the first and second holes. James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City) is the third player at three under, although the 27 year-old found himself five under through 12 before a bogey then a double bogey at 13 and 14 dropped him to two under – a sixth birdie at the last hole taking him to three under.

Chris Hanson (Crosland Heath) would have joined the group at three under but bogeyed the last to head a long list of players to sit three shots behind after rounds of 70. Joining Hanson are Steven Capper (Caldy GC), Michael Collins (Mallow Golf Range), Steven Parry (Bolton), Alex Evans (Bromborough GC), Robert Hearty (Bromborough and Brackenwood), Daniel Belch (Golf Analysis Ltd), Stuart Burns and Paul Streeter (Belton Woods).

For the full Leaderboard from the first round of The ABC Solutions Championship from Wychwood Park in Crewe, visit this link: http://europro.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/europro9/event/europro97/contest/1/leaderboard.htm – where live scoring for the second round will commence at 7.30am on Wednesday morning.

All change as Bedford goes top again

CHESHIRE champion Mike Bedford stole a march on his Lancashire counterpart Mark Young to return to top spot in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit following his third victory of the season in the Astbury Jewel.

The Prestbury player, knocked off his lofty perch by the Longridge man at the weekend, regained it after beating county team-mate Oliver Smith at the second sudden death play-off hole.

Bedford, who has moved 86 points in front, carded a 68 to share the first round lead with Manchester’s Carl Thompson but closed with a 73 for a three-under-par total, Smith matched him, adding 69 to his earlier 72 to tie the scores only to lose the only order of merit event that is settled by a play-off. But he gained ground in the table by taking over fifth place but is 230 points behind Bedford with 11 fixtures remaining.

DETAILS: 141 Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 68 73, Oliver Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 72 69 (Bedford won 2nd play-off hole); 143 James Newton (Prestbury) 71 72; 144 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 72 72, Carl Thompson (Manchester) 68 76; 145 Oliver Pantoja (Ashton-on-Mersey) 77 68, Terry Eardley (Burslem) 76 69, Charles Durnian (Fairhaven) 74 71; 146 Andrew Hardie (Astbury) 73 73, Neil Wain (Trentham) 70 76; 147 Steve Bryan (Bolton Old Links) 75 72, Lee Crombleholme (Leigh) 74 73.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 625 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 539 Mark Young (Longridge); 450 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 395 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 380 Carl Thompson (Manchester); 270 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 260 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 250 James Wilson (Formby), Zac Harrison (Preston); 245 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven), Paul McFerran (Childwall); 230 Alex Hogben (Ringway).

Paul takes route 66 to record

PAUL McFerran blitzed the course record with a six-under-par 66 in the second round of the Grange Park Rose Bowl in a tournament dominated by his Lancashire team-mates.

The Childwall player picked up five shots on his last seven holes including an eagle at the 15th which he bogeyed in his opening 71.

Huyton and Prescot’s John Carroll matched the old mark as he set the morning pace with 67 which he tagged to a 70 to return the same seven-under-par aggregate as McFerran.

Mark Young finished two shots adrift in third place but the county champion from Longridge returned to the top of the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit in his quest for an unprecedented third successive title.

He displaced Prestbury’s Michael Bedford who trails by 55 points with Carroll lying third 80 behind the leader.

DETAILS: 137 Paul McFerran (Childwall) 71 66, John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 67 70; 139 Mark Young (Longridge) 71 68, Carl Thompson (Manchester) 69 70; 141 Andrew Millray (Windermere) 70 71; 143 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale) 73 70, Gary Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 71 72; 145 Ryan Corbett (West Lancs) 73 72, Ken Hudson (Hart Common) 72 73; 146 Bradley Clisham (Grange Park) 75 71; 147 Paul Howard (Southport & Ainsdale) 78 69, Darryl Callister (Mount Murray) 76 71.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 539pts Mark Young (Longridge); 475 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 450 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall); 330 Carl Thompson (Manchester); 295 Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey); 260 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 250 James Wilson (Formby), Zac Harrison (Preston), 230 Alex Hogben (Ringway), 215 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven); 210 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park).

Clark holds off Keenan at Tudor Park to win by three strokes

2007 Order of Merit winner claims confidence boosting win in Kent

Graeme Clark started his journey back to the Challenge Tour with a comprehensive three stroke victory at The Virgin Atlantic 25th Anniversary Classic at Marriott Tudor Park in Kent.

The 2007 PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit champion had a tough time when he made the step up to the second tier of European golf in 2008, but after following opening rounds of 64 and 63 with a final round of 66 to claim a three shot win at 17 under ahead of Ian Keenan, the 33 year-old said he was ready to have another crack at the big time.

“It’s a real confidence boost to know that I can still get into the winner’s circle,” said the Doncaster GC man. “If I can get onto the Challenge Tour again I now know how I have to go about things so I will be playing the rest of the EuroPro Tour events and aiming for that top five.”

Clark held a two stroke lead at 13 under par going into the final round and extended that to three shots thanks to an eagle at the eighth. Both players birdied the tenth, but then Keenan birdied 11, bogeyed 12 and then birdied the 13th, where Clark dropped his first shot of the tournament to close the gap to just one stroke.

But Clark dug in and responded with a birdie at 14 and when Keenan dropped another shot at the 16th, Clark was ready to collect the £10,000 winner’s cheque.

“I carried on from the last two days really, not holing as many putts as the first two days put I’ve been hitting it really well recently,” said Clark, who climbs from 19th to third in the money list.

His playing partner and fellow 33 year-old collects £5,000 for his runners-up spot – something that he says will spur him on to go one better when the Tour moves to Wychwood Park in Crewe next week.

“I knew he’d be a tough opponent today and that getting past him would be hard, but that second place helps me,” said Keenan. “Obviously I need to get a win to really get up the rankings but hopefully that will come next week at Wychwood.”

“We had a good thing going out there – it was a lot of fun playing with Graeme,” said the man from Hoylake. “We were really going for it – going into the 14th I had the honour and I thought the tide might turn as I hit the fairway and it looked like he might drop a shot. But in the end, he made four, I made five and that was that really.”

Third place went to Elliot Saltman (Aegon) who recovered well from an up-and-down front nine to finish 12 under for the tournament. Saltman drove the green at the par four third and sank his putt for an eagle but then followed that with a double bogey at the fourth, and another bogey at the seventh seemed to have ended his chances of placing high. But on the back nine the Scotsman showed how destructive he can be with three birdies and an eagle in four holes from the 11th seeing him card a final round of 66.

Paul Dwyer (Clitheroe) led after the opening round and ended up in fourth spot at 11 under after also shooting 66, one stroke ahead of Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC) in fifth whose 67 meant he ended on ten under. Saltman’s playing partner Daniel Gaunt (Burhill GC) took sixth spot at nine under after a level par final round.

Steven Parry (Bolton) recorded the lowest round of the day to lead a group of seven players tied in seventh spot at eight under. Parry’s round of 63 meant he was the fourth player to equal the course record this week, although he missed a five-footer on the last for a 62. Barry Hume carded a six under round of 64 to join Parry, with James Gill (New Zealand), Matthew Mills (Wentworth), Calvin O’Carroll (UNIFAB.co.uk), Simon Lilly (Wellingborough) and Martin Sell (Golf Analysis Ltd) completing the group.

The PGA EuroPro Tour moves to Wychwood Park in Crewe next week, with the ABC Solutions UK Championship beginning on Tuesday 11 August.

FINAL SCORES FROM THE VIRGIN ATLANTIC 25TH ANNIVERSARY CLASSIC
1 Graeme Clark 64, 63, 66 193 -17 £10,000
2 Ian Keenan 66, 63, 67 196 £5,000
3 Elliot Saltman 65, 67, 66 198 -12 £2,500
4 Paul Dwyer 63, 70, 66, 199 -11 £1,700
5 Nicky Harris 64, 69, 67 200 -10 £1,400
6 Daniel Gaunt 64, 67, 70 201 -9 £1,200
=7 Steven Parry 69, 70, 63 202 -8 £807.14
=7 Barry Hume 71, 67, 64 202 -8 £807.14
=7 James Gill 68, 69, 65 202 -8 £807.14
=7 Matthew Mills 66, 68, 68 202 -8 £807.14
=7 Calvin O’Carroll 66, 68, 68 202 -8 £807.14
=7 Simon Lilly 66, 67, 69 202 -8 £807.14
=7 Martin Sell 67, 66, 69 202 -8 £807.14

Clark leads by two ahead of Tudor Park finale

2007 Order of Merit winner takes control in Kent with a 63

Graeme Clark leads the Virgin Atlantic 25th Anniversary Classic at Marriott Tudor Park in Kent by two shots going into the final round at 13 under par after following Tuesday’s opening round of 64 with a 63.

Clark (Doncaster GC) quickly moved into gear with a birdie at the third and an eagle at the fifth but it was on the back nine where he did his damage, equalling the four birdies in his opening round, but this time consecutively from the 14th.

“I’ve played very well so far and holed a lot of putts which has been pleasing,” said Clark, who topped the 2007 Order of Merit with three tournament wins. “It’s a pretty short course and there are plenty of chances out there, so tomorrow I’ve just got to stick to my game plan.”

His round of 63 was matched by Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) who is his closest challenger ahead of the final round. Keenan moved through two-thirds of his round in an understated fashion, starting on the back nine and gaining just one stroke from his four under starting position after 12 holes. It was at this point that the 33 year-old shifted into gear and birdied every hole from the fourth to the ninth to join Clark and Paul Dwyer in carding course record equalling rounds of 63, moving to 11 under for the tournament.

Daniel Gaunt (Burhill GC) holds sole possession of third spot at nine under, although the in-form Australian will rue bogeys at 14 and 16 towards the end of his round, with four birdies on the front nine continuing his good work after an opening round 64. Gaunt cancelled out one dropped shot with a birdie at the 17th, and that puts him one shot clear of Elliot Saltman (Aegon) in fourth spot after the Scotsman finished strongly on the front nine with four birdies to record at three under round of 67 to move to eight under.

Dwyer (Clitheroe) held the lead overnight but endured a frustrating day with a birdie at the ninth – his last – restoring parity and adding his name to a list of five players at seven under par. Martin Sell (Wrag Barn G&CC) climbed the highest to reach that score, kicking off his round on the back nine with three birdies and finishing with a four under 66. Matthew Evans (Rotherham), Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC) and Simon Lilly (Wellingborough) complete the group at seven under. Order of Merit leader Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill) leads a quartet one stroke behind them at six under.

Fifty-five players made the cut at one under for the final round, with the final pairing of Clark and Keenan teeing off at 12.21pm. Live scoring on the conclusion of the Virgin Atlantic 25th Anniversary Classic is available via the Score Updates link at www.europrotour.com

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