Young back on top after course record

MARK Young regained pole position in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit, which he has won twice in the last three years, in sensational style with an amateur course record eight-under-par 64 in the second round of the Wilmslow Crow.

The Longridge man, who plays of plus three, opened with a modest 73 before embarking on an eight-birdie romp which included four in a row from the sixth as he reached the turn in 30.

Young, last year’s Lancashire champion and a member of the six-man team competing in the English County Final at Hunstanton at the end of September, finished two clear of Prestbury’s Mike Bedford who equalled his point haul in last year’s merit but took the title with a higher ratio of victories.

SCORES (Par=72): 137 Mark Young (Longridge) 73 64; 139 Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 71 68; 141 David Peel (Stockport) 72 69, Simon McSweeney (Ellesmere) 70 71, Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 69 72; 142 Barry Barker (Reddish Vale) 70 72; 143 James Murphy (Shrigley Hall) 75 68; 145 Will Jones (Oswestry) 75 70; 146 Steve Bryan (Bolton Old Links) 72 74 Ashley Sage (Sandiway) 72 74, Ollie Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 70 76; 147 Liam Jeffrey (Haigh Hall) 79 68.

ORDER OF MERIT: 525 Mark Young (Longridge); 500pts Richie Blundell (Hillside); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 350 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 300 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 210 Daniel Osbaldeston(Prestbury); 205 Mike Bedford (Prestbury); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 190 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 180 Chris Rabbich (Jurupa Hills USA).

Parry targets tour after Manx win

STEVE Parry will stick to his promise and sign up for the European Tour school at the end of the season – providing his wife Jayne agrees!

The 31-year-old professional admitted ahead of the PokerStars Manx Classic at Mount Murray that if he could not win a PGA North Region Order of Merit tournament he would not consider going for his card.

But Parry, who runs a golf academy at Hart Common near his Bolton home, will honour his pledge after his four-shot victory in an event reduced to 36 holes after the second round was abandoned because of fog.

“Jayne is a singer on American cruise liners but I’ll know she’ll support me,” he said.

“I’ve attended the European and Asian tour schools several times without much success but hopefully this win will give me the confidence to achieve my target.”
Parry lost out in a play-off for the Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park four weeks ago, another regional ranking tournament, but there was no such problem on this occasion.

He followed up his course record 65 in the first round with a 67 for a 10-under-par total, quickly pulling away from the chasing pack and was three ahead of joint overnight leader, Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady, by the turn.

Challenge Tour player Paul Eales, from Garstang, took up the running in his defence of the title but he fell away on the closing stretch as Barry Taylor, from Houghwood, Lee Park’s Chris Crowder and Marriott Worsley Park assistant John Cheetham came up on the rails to tie second.

Taylor was rewarded for his consistency over the two days with a brace of 69s and with five handicapper Tom Barker claimed the team score with 18-under-par.
Meanwhile, Parry attributed much of his success to his fitness coach Ken Duffy who has joined his golf academy.

“He’s made a massive difference to me flexibility and strength,” he said. “I hope I can maintain my form for next week’s Spirotech Manchester Open.”

LEADING SCORES (Par=71): 132 Steve Parry (North West Golf Academy) 65 67; 138 Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 69 69, Chris Crowder (Lee Park) 68 70, John Cheetham (Marriott Worsley Park) 67 71; 139 J Mathews (Mytton Fold) 70 69, Will Barnes (Garstang) 69 70, David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 65 74; 140 Mark Sheppard (Darland) 70 70, Geoff Harris (Rudding Park) 70 70; 141 Neil Cheetham (Dore & Totley) 72 69, Robert Wragg (Hallowes) 70 71, Alex Belt (Bridlington Links) 69 72, Paul Eales (Garstang) 68 73, Rory Walsh (Ashton-on-Mersey) 66 75.

Manx Classic hit by fog

THE second round of the PokerStars Manx Classic at Mount Murray was cancelled due to fog and the event reduced to 36 holes, the final 18 being played tomorrow (Saturday).

Archer and Brand in Manchester line-up

EUROPEAN Tour player Phil Archer heads the strongest field in the nine-year history of the Spirotech Manchester Open which starts at Marriott Worsley Park on Tuesday (Aug 3).

The long-time Birchwood attached professional, who cut his teeth in the PGA North Region, will be reunited with many of his former adversaries in the 36-hole tournament which has attracted 133 players chasing the £12,000 prize-fund.

Among them is Chester-based Garry Houston, the inaugural winner in 2002 who went on to win his card that winter, and Yorkshire’s Gordon Brand, who two years ago beat his namesake Gordon Brand Jnr on the sixth extra hole to claim the PGA Senior Championship at Slaley Hall.

His best result so far this campaign was runner-up in the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open and his recent form suggests he’ll be a strong contender along with regular tour men Neil Cheetham, the reigning North Region champion from Sheffield club Dore & Totley, and Garstang’s Paul Eales who has resurrected his playing career.

Woodsome Hall’s Chris Hanson is expected to put in a strong defence of his title but a determined challenge will be made by local hope David Smith, assistant at nearby Swinton Park.

The 37-year-old plans to attend the European Tour qualifying school in the autumn if he maintains his impressive form. But he’s also hoping the back trouble which has plagued him since he was involved in a car accident soon after winning the 2007 Manchester Open will not recur.

Welshman Andrew Barnett and Will Barnes, who works with Eales at Garstang, played in last year’s Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup against the United States and are also expected to be in the thick of the action while David Clark, the 2004 winner from Morpeth, leads a formidable North East contingent which includes regional captain Martin Forster from Tynedale and Hexham’s Andrew Paisley.

This is the second year of sponsorship by Spirotech, initiated by Manchester City fan Noel Kelly, sales director of the international company specialising in heating components. There will also be a post tournament pro-am featuring the top 30 professionals.

Parry, Shacklady share Manx lead

STEVE Parry will only gamble on returning to the European Tour school if he's good enough. And to prove it he must win a PGA North Region Order of Merit event.

"That would make up my mind," revealed the 31-year-old Bolton-based professional. And it could be decided this weekend if he comes up trumps in the PokerStars Manx Classic at Mount Murray.

He played his cards right yesterday with a course record six-under-par 65 to share the first round with fellow Lancastrian and Mossock Hall-attached David Shacklady.

Parry, who runs his own golf school at Hart Common, lost out in a play-off for the Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park early this month.

But he feels he has the game and confidence to take the Manx title, the jewel in the region's crown, after a flawless performance highlighted by an eagle two at the 270-yard 16th where he rifled a rescue club to four foot then rolled in the putt.

Earlier he racked up four birdies and in a seven holes from the 10th picked up five strokes. "I drove well and kept the ball out of trouble," said Parry, although he had to sink a 12-footer at the last to stay bogey-free.

Shacklady, a past winner of the event, enjoyed the best of the conditions as he picked up six birdies and missed only one green in regulation.

A shot back was Ashton-on-Mersey assistant Rory Walsh who celebrated qualifying as a fully-fledged professional with his lowest score since joining the paid ranks three years ago. It stood as a record until Parry upstaged him but the 28-year-old was happy to at least bask in his moment of glory.

"I putted well but that's because the greens were perfect," he said after grabbing three birdies on each loop, erring with a bogey at the seventh.

LEADING 1st ROUND SCORES (Par=71): 65 Steve Parry (North West GA), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall); 66 Rory Walsh (Ashton-on-Mersey); 67 John Cheetham (Marriott Worsley Park); 68 James Lee (Caerphilly), Chris Crowder (Huyton & Prescot), Paul Eales (Garstang); 69 Andrew Barnett (North Wales DR), Barry Taylor (Houghwood), Alex Belt (Bridlington Links), Will Barnes (Garstang), Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere), James Salt (Ashton-under-Lyne).

Littlestone Golf Club Open Week

Entries are still being accepted for the Open Week at Littlestone Golf Club and there are still some places available.

There are a variety of events with the first on Monday 9th August. This is a Team Open (Texas Scramble) for teams of 4 and has an entry-fee of £100 per team.


A Seniors Team Open will take place on the following day for men aged 55+. The cost of entry is also £100 per team.

On Wednesday 11th August an Individual Open will be played. This is open to men and ladies and costs just £25 to enter.

A Betterball Pairs Open is scheduled for Thursday 12th August whilst an American Foursomes Pairs Open is played the following day. Both cost £50 per pair.

A Junior Open will also be held on Monday 23rd August for under 18's. Entry is £17 and includes lunch. The format is an individual medal for boys and girls.

Entry-forms and full details for all the above events can be found here

Finally, a Gents Individual Open is being played at Littlestone Warren Golf Club tomorrow (30th July) - please contact the club directly for any availability.

Littlestone is recognised as being one of the top 100 courses in England. It boasts a championship links course, laid out on the natural undulating land between the famous Romney Marsh and the English Channel in the South East corner of Kent.

The course is presented in superb condition throughout the year and temporary tees and greens are unheard of. The club is justifiably proud of again being chosen as a Final Qualifying venue for the 2011 Open and a very recent report by the R & A Agronomist states that their greens are 'magnificent and they are some of the best examples of firm, true and well paced putting greens in the UK'.

Gtour Continues to Grow in 2010

The Gtour is entering into the second half of what has been a thrilling season so far.

With five events remaining competition for places is tight as the tour continues to grow on merit.

The Gtour Amateur Golf Series and Order of Merit Tour takes place throughout UK at courses around the country.

The 2010 season has seen venues such as De Vere Slaley Hall, De Vere Oulton Hall and Moor Allerton play host as golfers nationwide compete in individual events and towards the 2010 Order of Merit.

Open to all golfers, club and non club golfers alike, whether you play off scratch or 28 (36 for ladies) you are welcome to take part in a great day’s golf and make many new friends with like minded golfers.

Membership for the Gtour is free and you can take part in one event to win some great prizes or compete in at least 3 events to be in with a chance of being crowned the Gtour 2010 champion. The order of merit winner will receive Tour exemption for 2011 and a whole lot more.

The tour has some great partnerships and sponsors thanks to De Vere, Golfbreaks.com, Bunker Mentality, Srixon, The Golf Locker TV and Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus.

The next event takes place on Saturday 7 August at the fantastic De Vere Wychwood Park followed by the third Major of the season.

The Golfbreaks.com Cup is to be held at De Vere Wokefield Park three weeks later on Saturday 28 August and once again will see some great prizes up for grabs.

Before the final Major – The Aphrodite Hills Open – players have a final chance to qualify at the stunning De Vere Mottram Hall. The premier De Vere venue in Cheshire plays host on Saturday 18 September.

Players must play in at least three events to be eligible for the Aphrodite Hills Open.

Friday 15 October will see golfers compete for a great prize of a three night break at the fantastic Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus. You and three friends could be jetting out to the 5* resort for 2 rounds of golf on the championship course which has stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

The tour comes to its conclusion on Saturday 13 November at De Vere Staverton Park where players face an anxious wait to see who will be crowned 2010 champion.

Run by golfers for golfers "Gtour 2010" is the UK's premier amateur golf tour for wannabe Tigers and Sorrenstams out there.

For further information or to join the tour go to www.gtour.co.uk

Hatfield London Country Club Open Events

Entries are now open for two fabulous events to be played at Hatfield London Country Club

The first competition is a Ladies Team Open on Wednesday 22nd September 2010. This competition is 4-Ball Alliance Stableford with the best 3 scores to count. The handicap limit is 36 (3/4 allowance) and entry is good value at £160 per team of four.

You will be greeted with coffee on arrival and enjoy a two course meal after your round. Tee times start from 9.30am and are expected to go quickly.

The second tournament is a Gents Individual Open on Thursday 23rd September 2010. Early booking is advised for this popular event that costs just £45 per person.

The format is an Individual Stableford with a maximum handicap of 24 (3/4 allowance). Entry includes a bacon baguette on arrival and a snack lunch after your round.

Entry-forms for both events can be found here

Hatfield London Country Club is situated in Bedwell Park, in the scenic, rolling countryside of rural Hertfordshire.

The venue offers a golfing experience to savour with beautiful, championship golf on offer.

Stonyholme Golf Club Opens

We are pleased to inform you about 3 competitions at Stonyholme Golf Club

The first event is a Ladies Pairs Open on Wednesday 28th July 2010. Entry is just £12 per pair with a maximum handicap limit of 36.

The second tournament is a Mixed Pairs Open on Sunday 15th August 2010. The format is a 4-Ball Betterball and the cost of entry is just £16 per couple. Handicap limits are 28 for men and 36 for ladies.

Finally, a Gents Individual Open will take place on Saturday 28th August 2010. This Individual Medal competition is for men with a handicap no higher than 28. Entry is only £5 per person!

Entry-forms for each event can be found here

Stonyholme is an award winning 18 hole, par 69, golf course of the highest order, designed by Frank Pennink in 1974. It is located 5 minutes from Carlisle city centre.

The course is bordered by two rivers on three sides, which cause some tricky shots over and around water. The front 9 holes feature open, but undulating fairways, with the tree lined back 9 holes becoming very much narrower and trickier.

With something to challenge every level of ability, it also has magnificent views of the Lakeland Fells and Northern Pennines, which provide a genuinely stunning backdrop to the course.

Merit Table after De Frece Trophy

Below is the Northern Order of Merit points table following the De Frece Trophy at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club, the 16th event of the season.

Name, Club, Points
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 500
Mark Young , Longridge = 375
James Robinson , S&A = 355
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 350
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 300
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 240
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 210
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 200
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 190
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills USA = 180
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 150
Paul Howard , S&A = 150
Simon Robinson , Heysham = 150
David Simpson , Penrith = 150
Alex Pritchard , Pryors Hayes = 150
Craig Fort , Nelson = 150
Clive Robertson , Green Howarh = 150
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 150
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 135
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Marcus Mohr , Hawarden = 120
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 120
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 105
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 105
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 100
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
David Peel , Stockport = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 100
Liam Ball , Chorley = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 100
Abisher Ruia , Dunham Forest = 100
Lawrence Noot , Enville = 100
Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 85
Tom Graves , West Lancs = 75
Andrew Palmer , Chorley = 75
Lee Mayers , Fairhaven = 75
John Little , Heswall = 75
Aron Watkinson , Manchester = 75
Garry Lacy , Ashon-in-Makerfield = 75
David Hannis , Blackpool NS = 75
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 70
James Wilson , Formby = 60
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 60
James Bolton , Penwortham = 60
Adam Smith , Accrington = 60
Andrew Gibbins , Bolton Old Links = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 50
Mark Rabone , S&A = 50
David Brown , Bromborough = 50
Ed Battye , Dewsbury = 50
Michael Murray , Todmorden = 50
Liam Doherty , Mossock Hall = 50
Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 50
Ben Chambers , Ellesmere = 50
Kevin Hamilton , Didsbury = 50
David Collis , Blackpool NS = 50
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 45
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 45
Curtis Dean , St Annes Old Links = 40
James Martin , San Roque = 40
Fred Jewsbury , Ladbroke Park = 40
Phil Stanley , Penwortham = 40
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 40
Chris Harrison , Sandiway = 40
Mark Geddis , Prenton = 40
Kristian Taylor , Formby = 40
James McCormick , Disley = 40
Andy McLoughney , St Annes Old Links = 40
Chris Howard , Manchester = 40
Josh Dye , Delamere Forest = 40
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Greg McIlroy , S&A = 30
Dean Pickard , Nelson = 30
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 30
Jason Sleigh , Shaw Hill = 30
Allan Mole , Worsley = 30
Paul Clarkson , Pleasington = 30
Scott Gowland , Blackpool NS = 30
Graham Roberts , Eaton = 25
Martyn Walsh , Styal = 25
Gary Spann , Stand = 25
Chris Nuttall , Accrington = 25
Jordan Flint , Crompton & Royton = 25
John Singleton , Prestatyn = 25
Dan Crook , Leigh = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
David Jones , Ramsey = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 20
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 20
Paul Bartlett , Ashton & Lea = 20
Paul Williams , Denton = 20
Jason Kelly , Accrington = 20
Rob Fawcett , Dukinfield = 20
Daryl Callister , Mount Murray = 20
Kenny Ralston , Fleetwood = 20
Peter Nicholson , Vicars Cross = 15
David Nelson , Northenden = 15
Neil Sadler , Wallasey = 15
Liam Jeffery , Haigh Hall = 15
Neil Cruikshank , Royal Birkdale = 15
Aiden Hooson , North Manchester = 15
Daniel Creaney , Birchwood = 15
Dean Moseley , Blackpool NS = 15
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Chris Heslop , Chipping Norton = 10
Andrew Borg , Penwortham = 10
James Newton , Prestbury = 10
Stephen Helm , Ashton & Lea = 10
Bob Overall , Fulford = 10
Tom Lord , Blackpool NS = 10

Richie pickings as he tops merit

RICHIE Blundell swept to the top of the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit with a stunning 11-shot victory in the De Frece Trophy at Blackpool North Shore.

The Hillside man opened with a steady 67 before moving up a gear to fire six birdies and an eagle in a 63 for a 12-under-par aggregate.

And he goes into the second part of season 125 points in front of double merit winner Mark Young from Longridge who deposed long-time leader and Lancashire clubmate, Southport & Ainsdale’s James Robinson.

Blundell, who also won the Hulbert Trophy at Manchester last month, left the rest of the field headed by Enville’s Lawrence Noott trailing in his wake.

SCORES (Par=71): 130 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 67 63; 141 Lawrence Noott (Enville) 73 68, David Hannis (Blackpool NS) 72 69, Andrew Gibbons (Bolton Old Links) 67 74; 143 David Collis (Blackpool NS) 75 68, Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 73 70, Mark Young (Longridge) 71 72, Scott Gowland (Blackpool NS) 70 73; 144 Dan Crook (Leigh) 69 75; 145 Kenny Ralston (Fleetwood) 77 68, Dean Moseley (Blackpool NS) 76 69, Tom Lord (Blackpool NS) 75 70.

ORDER OF MERIT: 500pts Richie Blundell (Hillside); 375 Mark Young (Longridge); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 350 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 300 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 210 Daniel Osbaldeston(Prestbury); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 190 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn).

Towndrow’s towering performance

LANCASHIRE county champion Sean Towndrow moved to within five points of his Southport & Ainsdale clubmate and Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit leader James Robinson after a three shot victory in the Caldy Quart.

The 6ft 6ins plus one player was a model of consistency, posting a pair of 70s for a four-under-par total to claim his maiden merit title.

The 18-year-old picked up four birdies in the morning and three in the afternoon as he joined Hillside’s Ritchie Blundell in second place at the half-way stage of the campaign.

Dunham Forest’s Abhishek Ruia was runner-up with rounds of 73 and 70, one in front of Cheshire matchplay champion Ray Hughes, of Caldy.

SCORES (Par=72): 140 Sean Towndrow (S&A) 70 70; 143 Abhishek Ruia (Dunham Forest) 73 70; 144 Ray Hughes (Caldy) 73 71; 145 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury) 74 71, Kevin Hamilton (Didsbury) 73 72, Sean Mills (Sandiway) 71 74; 146 Josh Dye (Delamere Forest) 76 70, Chris Rabbich (Jurupa Hills USA) 74 72, John Singleton (Prestatyn) 72 74; 148 Daryl Callister (Mount Murray) 75 73; 150 Daniel Creaney (Birchwood) 75 75, Ritchie Blundell (Hillside) 75 75.

ORDER OF MERIT: 355pts James Robinson (S&A); 350 Ritchie Blundell (Hillside); Seam Towndrow (S&A); 335 Mark Young (Longridge); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 210 Daniel Osbaldeston(Prestbyry); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield).

Eales chases Manx glory again

PAUL Eales bids for his third PokerStars Manx Classic crown in four years at Mount Murray next week (July 29-31).

But he faces one of the strongest fields in the 30-year history of the event regarded as the jewel in the PGA North Region crown.

European Tour player Phil Archer, who played in last week’s Open Championship at St Andrews, will be in the line-up unless he receives a late call-up to compete in the Irish Open.

But definitely targeting the £25,000 prize-fund is Sheffield-based Neil Cheetham, the winner in 1998, who plays on the Challenge Tour with Eales.

He also won the PGA North Region Championship last year and clinched the order of merit. And having already triumphed in the Kerr Investments Cumbria Classic this season he’ll be looking for more ranking points at Mount Murray.

This is the first time the 54-hole event, to be televised by Sky, qualifies for the merit, the format also being altered from four man teams to one pro, one amateur.

All told some 60 of the top regional professionals will battle for glory, including 2009 PGA Cup players Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Golf Range, and Will Barnes, who works with Eales at his coaching academy at Garstang.

Raglan Parc Golf Club Men's Individual Open

We are pleased to inform you about a Gents Individual Open at Raglan Parc Golf Club in Monmouthshire.

The competition will take place on Saturday 21st August 2010 and is open to male golfers with a handicap of 28 or less. Entry is superb value at just £15 per person.

The format is an 18-hole Individual Medal (qualifier) with gross and nett prizes up for grabs. There is even a separate category for under 18's. Tee times are from 8am - 3pm.

Spaces are expected to fill up very quickly but an entry-form for the tournament can be found here to secure your place.

Raglan Parc Golf Club is set in rural Monmouthshire boasting some of the best views and facilities of any golf course in South Wales. The course overlooks the historic Raglan Castle with scenic views of the Brecon Beacons National Park beyond.

You are likely to require every club in your bag when playing here, as it will test all parts of your game. You will leave wanting to pay a return visit in the near future.

More details about Raglan Parc Golf Club can be found at www.raglanparc.co.uk

THE CELTIC PRO TOUR ROLLS ON

The next event on the 2010 Celtic Pro Golf Tour tees off at the Rolls of Monmouth on 29th and 30th July.

After some high quality golf in the early stages of the Tour, the next event at the prestigious Rolls of Monmouth promises to be just as exciting.

The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club, with its championship 6,733 yard golf course, is set in superb countryside with spectacular views of the Welsh hills. It is one of the most outstanding golf courses, not just in Wales, but in the whole of the UK.

Tour Director, Rhydian Thomas, commented, “Celtic Pro is an exciting golf development tour providing competition for ambitious golfers looking to progress to a higher level. Since 2005, the Tour has run over 30 professional events, and is proving a great breeding ground for young professionals, whilst encouraging young amateurs to play more events and progress to a higher standard.

“The Rolls of Monmouth is a quality golf course that will encourage the best in our players. We are expecting a high quality field and some top class golf”.

For further information on membership of the Tour and the full schedule, please visit the Celtic Pro Tour.

Three and easy for Chris!

CHRIS Rabbich, taking a break from studying in the United States, played for the first time in three months after tearing a finger ligament and won the Royton Sword at his home club in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.

And the 21-year-old achieved it in spectacular fashion with a sizzling run of eight successive threes – five at the end of the first round then a trio of them at the start of the next. And six of them were birdies!

“I was three-over-par after the first nine holes so I needed to do something,” said the plus one handicapper who is in his second year at California Baptist University in Riverside where he is studying sports science.

“That was my best scoring sequence,” he added after posting 70 and 69, one-under-par all told, to prevail by a shot from Hopwood veteran Roger Smithies. “I guess it was a case of beware the injured golfer.”

Rabbich, who returns to America next month and plays at Jurupa Hills Golf Club, also won the Crompton & Royton club championship this year and the Oldham and District title in 2008.

He added: “I might stay over there and try to make a living as a professional if I’m good enough.”

SCORES (Par=70): 139 Chris Rabbich (Jurupa Hills USA) 70 69; 140 Roger Smithies (Manchester) 70 70; 143 Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 72 71, Andy Davis (Manchester) 70 73; 146 Ben Chambers (Ellesmere) 74 72; 147 James Frizzell (Crompton & Royton) 79 68; 148 Chris Howard (Manchester) 76 72, Thomas Winn (Morecambe) 76 72, Jordan Flint (Crompton & Royton) 74 74, Rob Fawcett (Dukinfield) 74 74; 149 Aiden Hoosen (North Manchester) 75 74, Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 74 75.

ORDER OF MERIT: 355pts James Robinson (S&A); 340 Ritchie Blundell (Hillside); 335 Mark Young (Longridge); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield), 200 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 190 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 171 Adam Wills (Sandiway).

EVANS CLAIMS MAIDEN EUROPRO TOUR VICTORY

MATTHEW Evans has claimed his first ever PGA EuroPro Tour victory after edging out Martin Sell in a dramatic play-off.

Evans, 23, triumphed in the second play-off hole at the Players Club in Bristol after the two players, the only two to have broken par, both finished on one-under.

“This is only my second year as a professional but it’s the highlight of my career so far,” said Evans, who is a member of the Rotherham Golf Club.

“It has given me bags and bags of confidence after the way I’ve played and I now just have to keep progressing.

“My game in the last six months has felt good but I just holed a few putts when it mattered.

“The weather has been unbelievable in the last three days and the wind has been so strong.

“It has been mentally more difficult than physically as if you took a bogey or a bad score then you could’ve let it get to you but you just had to stay positive.

“To finish in the top five of the Order of Merit and get on to the Challenge Tour is the main target and this could be a great stepping stone towards that.”

The event, which was in association with World Snooker, saw tough conditions on each day with the action being delayed for nearly an hour and a half on Thursday.

Order of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt has continued his march towards the Challenge Tour by coming tied third, along with Welshman Kyron Sullivan.

Three players – Lloyd Saltman (Aegon), Mark Ramsdale (Formby Golf Club) and Ryan Thomas (Aberdare) – finished in tied fifth four shots off of the lead.

Craig Lee was second in the Order of Merit before this event and it looked like he would not make the cut after being seven-over after two days play.

But he eventually scraped into the last day and came up with his best round of the tournament, two-over, to end inside the top 30.

James Heath shared the lead at the end of the opening day by going round three under but any hopes of him winning the tournament ended on Thursday with a shocking round of 81, 11-over.

But he performed better on Friday as his score of four-over left him on 12-over for the competition and in tied 40th position.

To see the full results, please go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.

The Vale Resort Golf Club Junior Open

We are pleased to inform you about a forthcoming junior event at The Vale Resort Golf Club near Cardiff.

The 'Augusta Putter' Junior Open will be played on Tuesday 27th July 2010 and is open to both boys and girls.

The format is an Individual Medal for those with a handicap of 18 or less and an Individual Stableford for anyone with a handicap of 19 and above. The entry-fee is just £10 per person, which includes a complimentary goody-bag!

An entry-form for the competition can be found here.

Plotted amid 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside The Vale Resort has been host to a number of PGA golf tournaments over the years. It provides a challenging yet enjoyable days golf offering a mixture of mature wooded areas, wide and narrow fairways and vast areas of water features.

Wellingborough Individual Open

Wellingborough Golf Club have their Individual Open on the Thursday 29th July and still have 10 tee times available.

The times are 11.09 to 12.48. This is a mixed qualifying competition from the red & yellow tees.

An entry-form can be found here.

ORDER OF MERIT LEADER GAUNT PERFORMS WELL IN BRISTOL

ORDER of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt is on course to extend his lead at the top of the PGA EuroPro Tour money list.

Australian Gaunt has won more than £20,000 from the season so far and is well placed to earn more money from the latest event.

The competition is being staged at The Players Club in Bristol and in association with World Snooker and Gaunt goes into the final day inside the top ten, while his nearest rivals have not performed well.

Gaunt shot par on Wednesday and followed that with a round of one-over in tricky conditions, which caused a delay of an hour and 20 minutes and saw a number of players struggle.

Stuart Archibald and Robert Steele, sixth and seventh respectively in the money list, have failed to make the cut, while Ian Keenan, Craig Lee and James Hepworth are a long way down the leaderboard while veteran Gary Wolstenholme is not competing in Bristol.

Paul Reed (Bristol and Clifton GC) is in contention for the win after he made the cut for the first time in three events and he currently lies inside the top five.

Low scores were at a premium with Paul Coburn (Sandy Lodge) being one of only a handful of players to have broken par on Thursday.

James Heath began the day with a share of the lead but he quickly fell down the leaderboard after a horror start to his second round.

Double bogeys on the first and third left him well off the pace but his mood got worse on the fourth when he took seven shots on the par-three hole.

A birdie on the fifth was then followed by another double bogey – this time at the sixth – and that saw Heath plummet down the pack.

Scotsman Lloyd Saltman (Aegon) has finished in the top 20 in two recent Challenge Tour events and is still involved in Bristol.

At one stage he was second on Wednesday but three bogeys today – at the third, 13th and 14th – left him on four-over overall but he still comfortably made the cut.

The top 50 players and ties will advance to play in a final round on Friday where the winner will claim the £10,000 winner’s prize.

Sandeep Grewal scored 69 yesterday but his 79 today ended his hopes, while Zack Saltman (Aegon) and 2007 Order of Merit Champion Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) were also out of the competition.

To find out all the latest scores from the tournament, please go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’.

Get Involved in the UK's Largest Amateur Charity Golf Event

The National Golf Club Challenge - 24th & 25th of July 2010

Golfers across the UK will tee off later this month in a series of tournaments to raise money for the popular Help for Heroes charity.

The tournaments are part of a nationwide initiative called the National Golf Club Challenge, which will see hundreds of golf clubs - and thousands of golfers - compete against each other while at the same time raise money for the country's wounded soldiers.

The National Golf Club Challenge, which is on course to becoming the UK's biggest amateur charity golf event, will take place on the 24th and 25th of July, a week after the Open Championship.

In speaking of his support as a patron of the Challenge event, European number one Lee Westwood said "Together we have the chance to change the lives of those who have sacrificed and endured so much so we might live full and free lives. Many brave men and women have suffered often the most horrendous injuries in the line of duty and these heroes deserve our wholehearted support in July."

Golf clubs taking part in The National Golf Club Challenge include Wentworth, St Mellion International Resort, Stoke Park, The Dukes, Carnoustie, Hillside, De Vere Carden Park and hundreds more.

All entry fees for the golf tournaments, and all additional proceeds from a variety of special fund-raising activities at participating golf clubs will be donated to Help for Heroes.

The National Golf Club Challenge competition will give golfers up and down the country the opportunity to compete for some outstanding prizes - including golfing holidays to Egypt - and for the right to call themselves 'The 2010 National Golf Club Challenge Champions', winning the stunning 'Lee Westwood Cup'.

Event director Stacey Jeffries said "The National Golf Club Challenge is an opportunity for Britain's golfing community to come together on the same weekend to compete, have fun and demonstrate their support and generosity for our wounded Servicemen and women."

The National Golf Club Challenge will coincide with participating club's monthly stableford event, with each club turning the day into their own charity golf day, raising funds for Help for Heroes.

Competing clubs will submit their aggregate scores from their 10 best scoring players. This will determine the top 6 golf clubs against standard scratch, who will then be invited to compete in the National Final.

The Grand Final event, sponsored by YourGolfTravel.com, which will be held on 11th and 12th October at The Belfry, one of the world's leading golf resorts, and four times host to the Ryder Cup.

Every golfer playing in The National Golf Club Challenge will be entered into a prize draw to be in with a chance to win a fabulous stay at The Marriott Sawgrass Resort & Spa in Florida. The Challenge champions will win a wonderful golfing holiday to the Marriott Taba Heights Resort in Egypt.

For more information on The National Golf Club Challenge, go to www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk or www.ngcc2010.com.

HEATH AND EVANS MAKE THE EARLY RUNNING AT THE PLAYERS CLUB

JAMES HEATH and Matthew Evans are the early leaders on the opening day of the latest PGA EuroPro Tour competition – staged at The Players Club in Bristol.

The tournament, in association with World Snooker, is the eighth of the PGA EuroPro Tour season and concludes on Friday with £10,000 going to the winner.

Heath and Evans were the early clubhouse leaders as the pair both went round in a three-under-par 67.

Heath has already enjoyed success at The Players Club this year as his victory there in April in the first stage of qualifying helped get him his PGA EuroPro Tour card.

After making the cut at the last four events, Heath is well-placed to improve on his best finish of the campaign – tied ninth at Bovey Castle last month.

Four birdies on the front nine gave Evans (Rotherham GC) a fine start, although he bogeyed the 15th in his quest for his first top 15 finish of the year.

Ian Keenan and Dale Marmion are among the players who are struggling and need to perform well on Thursday if they are to make the cut.

Keenan (Royal Liverpool) is currently in fourth position in the Order of Merit but might not win any money from this event after bogeys at the seventh, 13th, 14th and 18th left him on four-over.

Marmion (Eaton GC), who finished tied second in the opening tournament of the season at Wensum Valley in Norfolk, is also on four-over and well down the field.

Stuart McCance (The London Club) and Myles Pearson are both in line to make the cut for only the second time this season.

The pair claimed a Wednesday score of two-under and it was an eventful day for Pearson as he claimed four bogeys but also six birdies.

Competition was fierce as 165 players began the first round in a high-quality field that included a number of players who had European Tour experience.

Craig Lee finished tied 26th last week at the Barclays Scottish Open in Loch Lomond on the European Tour.

However, he did not perform as well in Bristol as he made five bogeys in the opening nine holes he played.

Graeme Clark, the 2007 Order of Merit Champion, also made a poor start after beginning from hole ten as four bogeys in the front nine was followed by a triple bogey seven at the par-four first.

Lloyd Saltman has had two top 20 finishes on the Challenge Tour in the last month and successive birdies at the 13th and 14th brought him in contention here.

Matchroom Sport will edit the highlights from this event into a two-hour programme and this will be screened on Sky Sports 3 on Wednesday, July 28.

To find out the full latest scores please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.

Andalucía Golf Challenge Overseas Am–Am

Golfing Days are pleased to announce that entries are now open for the inaugural Andalucía Golf Challenge Overseas Am–Am that will take place from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th November 2010 at the fantastic Antequera Golf Resort in Spain.

This is a unique opportunity to play golf in the unspoilt countryside of Andalucía which is slightly off the beaten track for most British golfers when they head to Spain. The town of Antequera is just 40 minutes from Malaga airport and is a traditional old Spanish town.... real Spain!

The tournament format is Betterball Stableford and costs just £299 per person* and prizes will be awarded for the top three pairs.

Competitors will be staying in the 4 star Antequera Golf Hotel which is adjacent to the golf course. The event format is two man teams Betterball Stableford played over days 2 and 3. Day 1 will be a practice round with a fun individual competition.

The outline itinerary for the event and full details can be found here.

Longer stay pre or post event is available on request for £70 per night bed and breakfast. Extra golf can also be arranged, cost on application.

Payment terms are 50% on reservation with the final balance payable 60 days prior to event.

Free Srixon Golf Balls:
Golfing Days will be offering each pair a box each of Srixon Soft Feel golf balls for competitors who book and pay the deposit before the end of July.

More Information:
For full details please contact Mark Hatton (07920 113463) or John Hatton (07768 728972) by email at info@golfingdays.co.uk

GM Junior Golf Tour

The 2010 Graham Moore Junior Golf Tour is now in full swing and as the school holidays are virtually upon us now is the perfect time to sign up for an event or two!

The 'GM Tour' is recognised nationally & internationally as the first junior golf tour in its own right. After five years of undisputed success it continues to go from strength-to-strength and enables talented young golfers to maximise their potential at professionally run tournaments.

This year, the 6th anniversary of the tour, it has expanded the range of National & International competitions to run a CHAMPIONS SERIES of events.

A number of other tournaments will be played throughout the UK this summer and autumn including the famous Miguel Angel Jimenez Trophy at Portal Golf Club. Other popular competitions are scheduled for Woodhall Spa, The Belfry, The Grove and The London Club!

2010 Schedule...
You can see the full 2010 schedule for the GM Junior Golf Tour here with details about entry-costs and venues. Direct links are also provided to all the official entry-forms.

More Information...
For more details about the tour you can email Graham on gmigs@gmintgolfschools.co.uk or call 07860 669432.

Gents Individual Tournament at Blundells Hill Golf Club

A Gents Individual Open will be held at Blundells Hill Golf Club on Sunday 5th September 2010.

The tournament is an Individual Medal for golfers with a handicap no higher than 24. Tee times are from 10am.


Full handicap allowance will be in operation with entry just £22 per person, which not only includes 18 holes of golf but also a 2-fore-1 Voucher to use either before or after the competition.

There will be prizes for the leading nett scores as well as a longest drive and nearest-the-pin awards. What's more, the player returning the best gross score will be presented with the George McKie Trophy.

An entry-form can be found here to secure your place with early entry advised.

Blundells Hill is one of the finest golf courses in the Merseyside area. You need to be accurate from tee to green on almost every hole if you are to score well and not be punished.

Once on the greens your concentration needs to be at it's highest to read the correct lines, or three putts will become the norm for you!

Order of Merit Table Update

The Northern Order of Merit Table following the Pleasington Antlers at Pleasington Golf Club.

James Robinson , S&A = 355
Ritchie Blundell , Hillside = 340
Mark Young , Longridge = 335
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 245
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 240
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 200
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 200
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 190
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 150
Paul Howard , S&A = 150
Simon Robinson , Heysham = 150
David Simpson , Penrith = 150
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 150
Alex Pritchard , Pryors Hayes = 150
Craig Fort , Nelson = 150
Clive Robertson , Green Howarh = 150
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 135
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Marcus Mohr , Hawarden = 120
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 105
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 105
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 100
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
David Peel , Stockport = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 100
Liam Ball , Chorley = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 85
Tom Graves , West Lancs = 75
Andrew Palmer , Chorley = 75
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 75
Lee Mayers , Fairhaven = 75
John Little , Heswall = 75
Aron Watkinson , Manchester = 75
James Wilson , Formby = 60
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 60
James Bolton , Penwortham = 60
Adam Smith , Accrington = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 50
Mark Rabone , S&A = 50
David Brown , Bromborough = 50
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 50
Ed Battye , Dewsbury = 50
Michael Murray , Todmorden = 50
Liam Doherty , Mossock Hall = 50
Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 50
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 45
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 45
Curtis Dean , St Annes Old Links = 40
James Martin , San Roque = 40
Fred Jewsbury , Ladbroke Park = 40
Phil Stanley , Penwortham = 40
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 40
Chris Harrison , Sandiway = 40
Mark Geddis , Prenton = 40
Kristian Taylor , Formby = 40
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 40
James McCormick , Disley = 40
Andy McLoughney , St Annes Old Links = 40
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Greg McIlroy , S&A = 30
Dean Pickard , Nelson = 30
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 30
Jason Sleigh , Shaw Hill = 30
Allan Mole , Worsley = 30
Paul Clarkson , Pleasington = 30
Graham Roberts , Eaton = 25
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 25
Martyn Walsh , Styal = 25
Gary Spann , Stand = 25
Chris Nuttall , Accrington = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
David Jones , Ramsey = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 20
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 20
Paul Bartlett , Ashton & Lea = 20
Paul Williams , Denton = 20
Jason Kelly , Accrington = 20
Peter Nicholson , Vicars Cross = 15
David Nelson , Northenden = 15
Neil Sadler , Wallasey = 15
Liam Jeffery , Haigh Hall = 15
Neil Cruikshank , Royal Birkdale = 15
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Chris Heslop , Chipping Norton = 10
Andrew Borg , Penwortham = 10
James Newton , Prestbury = 10
Stephen Helm , Ashton & Lea = 10
Bob Overall , Fulford = 10

Sweet 16 for Steve

STEVE McGlynn edged to a one shot victory in the Pleasington Antlers and crucial in the final reckoning was the tricky short 16th hole which he birdied twice.

The Blackburn scratch player opened up with 69 to lead by three at the half-way stage before signing off with 72, one-under-par all told, which was just enough to deny Ritchie Blundell.

But the Hillside man, with rounds of 73 and 69, moved into second place in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit, just 15 points behind long time leader James Robinson, from Southport & Ainsdale.

SCORES (Par=71): 141 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 69 72; 142 Ritchie Blundell (Hillside) 73 69; 144 Clive Robertson (Green Howarth) 72 72; 147 Tony Holt (Wilpshire) 75 72; 148 Jack Brooks (Pleasington) 76 72, Sean Towndrow (S&A) 74 74; 149 Paul McFerran (Childwall) 78 71, Paul Clarkson (Pleasington) 75 74; 150 Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 80 70, Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 77 73, Mark Young (Longridge) 75 75; 151 Rob Overall (Fulford) 78 73.

ORDER OF MERIT: 355pts James Robinson (S&A); 340 Ritchie Blundell (Hillside); 335 Mark Young (Longridge); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 245 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield), 200 Sean Towndrow (S&A).

Congleton Golf Club Festival Week

A Gents Pairs Open and a Senior Pairs Open will be played at Congleton Golf Club as part of their popular Festival Week.

Both events will take place during the first week of August and have an entry-fee of just £20 per pair. The Gents Open will be held on Thursday 5th August whilst the Seniors event takes place the following day. Full bar facilities and a catering menu will be available throughout the day.

Each tournament is a Betterball Stableford played off a 3/4 handicap allowance. The handicap limit is 24 for the Gents event and 28 for the Seniors. Download the entry-forms from here now to secure your place.

Congleton Golf Club was founded in 1898. It is a superbly manicured undulating parkland course with views over three countries from the balcony of the clubhouse. It is a 9 hole layout with 12 greens and is probably the most picturesque course in the North West, with stunning views up towards the Cloud and the Peak National Park. The course is 5,119 yards long with S.S.S. of 65.

The ‘signature’ hole is the 8th which is a left hand dogleg and from the tee you drive ‘through the eye of a needle’ with a second shot over a pond on to a plateau green, well protected at the front by a large tree. A card wrecker, as stroke index 1 indicates!

Grannell inspired by old pal Horsey

PAUL Grannell never forget his amateur days playing for Cheshire in the same side at David Horsey.

And after winning his first professional tournament he passed on some of the credit to the European Tour star.

“When he won the BMW International in Germany last month his performance inspired me to try harder at my own game,” said Grannell as he celebrated his victory in the inaugural Phoenix Gas Classic at De Vere Wychwood Park, beating Steve Parry at the first extra hole.

“His work ethic is incredible. They claim Padraig Harrington and Vijay Singh spend a lot of time practicing but I don’t think they can be compared to David.

“I told myself if it can help him then it can help me. In the two weeks leading up to this event I spent nearly every evening hitting shots untiI it became too dark to see. Even my girlfriend Laura brought my tea out to the range.”

Grannell, an assistant at Vale Royal Abbey, trailed four shots behind first round leaders Parry, his room-mate on the Asian Tour in India last year, and 2009 Leeds Cup winner Chris Clarke, from Rotherham club Waterfront.

But he caught them up with a best-of-tournament 66 to post a six-under-par total and tie with Parry, who runs the North West Golf Academy at Hart Common in Westhoughton, before settling the issue with a tap-in birdie at the first extra hole.

It was tough on Clarke who had kept his nose in front for most of the day before suffering a nightmare on the final hole where he took a seven after thinning a bunker shot into the rough.

“I did not have a good lie but it was also a bad shot,” he rued.

LEADING SCORES: 138 Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) 72 66, Steve Parry (North West GA) 68 70; 140 Chris Clarke (Waterfront) 68 72; 141 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 73 68; 142 David Clark (Morpeth) 70 72; 143 Allyn Laing (Mount Murray) 74, 69, Alex Belt (Bridlington Links) 72 71, Greg Hyde (Wath) 73 70, Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere) 72 71; 144 Mark Sheppard (Darland) 74 70, Matthew Tottey (North Wales) 73 71, Will Barnes (Garstang) 73 71.

Clarke and Parry cooking on gas at Wychwood

IGNORANCE was bliss when Chris Clarke won the Leeds Cup, professional golf’s oldest trophy, last season.

The 25-year-old assistant at Waterfront, a nine-hole complex in Rotherham, had never seen the Cobble Hall course until the first day of the tournament because he didn’t have time for a practice round.

“I played it as I saw it and managed to avoid all the trouble,” he recalled after beating experienced fellow Yorkshireman John Wells in a play-off.

Now, the former England boy international shares a two-stroke lead with Bolton-based Steve Parry going into the final round of the inaugural Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park thanks to a near-perfect opening four-under-par 68.

But on this occasion Clarke probably knew as much about the testing south Cheshire course with its rolling fairways, penal rough and slick greens as anyone else in the 130-strong field.

“I’ve played it about a dozen times and that’s been a big advantage because I knew where to place the ball,” he said.

He picked up a shot at the 10th, where he started his round, gave it back at the 15th then rolled in a 30-footer on the home green for a birdie.

“That was the turning point because I followed up with four more on the next five holes.

“I drove aggressively, hit my irons close and putted well,” he added as Parry, who runs a golf school at Westhoughton club Hart Common, used his putter on only 23 occasions as he reeled off seven birdies.

Robert Wragg, from Hallowes, and Morpeth’s David Clark, share second place on 70.

FIRST ROUND: 68 Chris Clarke (Waterfront Golf), Steve Parry (North West GA); 70 Robert Wragg (Hallowes), David Clark (Morpeth); 72 Gareth Jones (Sandiway), Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey), Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall), Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere), Graham Cox (Davenport), David Smith (Swinton Park), Vincent Guest (Tees-side), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford), Alex Belt (Bridlington Links).

Davies is a shore fire winner

THOMAS Davies, a 22-year-old trainee professional from Myerscough Golf Academy near Preston, shot the round of his life to lead the west qualifiers for the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.

And all the excitement was confined to four holes from the 12th which he covered in with a hat-trick of birdies before rounding off with an eagle at the 537-yard 15th.

His three-under-par 68 was matched by Morpeth assistant Steve Fawcitt whose round was less spectacular as the pair finished a stroke in front of Davenport’s Graham Cox.

Some 47 players out of a field of 87 qualified and will return to North Shore for the 36-hole tournament, which has been upgraded this season from county to a full PGA North Region Order of Merit event on August 16-17.

The east qualifier is at Normanton on July 21.

LEADING SCORES: 68 Thomas Davies (Myerscough Academy), Steve Fawcitt (Morpeth); 69 Graham Cox (Davenport); 70 Bryan Joelson-Mulhall (Eccleston Park); 71 Robert Fox (am, Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Davyhulme Park Junior Golf Open

A Junior Open will be played at Davyhulme Park Golf Club later this year.

The competition for under 18's (on 1st January 2010) will be held on Monday 9th August 2010 and is open to both boys and girls. Gross and nett prizes will be awarded on the day.

The handicap limits are 28 (boys) and 36 (girls) with the event taking an Individual Medal format. With an entry-fee of just £7 per person spaces are expected to go quickly, so download an entry-form now to secure your place.

Davyhulme Park golf course is set within spectacular grounds, providing beautiful landscaped greens and is the home to some of the most interesting and challenging holes in the North West.

The club has a reputation as one of the North West's premier golf venues. With a blend of both long and short inviting par four holes, Davyhulme can best be described as a true risk and reward course. Set in 99 acres of parkland, Davyhulme Park offers skilled and lesser players a great challenge in equal measure!

Full Northern Order of Merit Points Table

Below is the full Northern Order of Merit after the Acorn Trophy at Accrington & District Golf Club.

James Robinson , S&A = 355 points
Mark Young , Longridge = 320
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 240
Ritchie Blundell , Hillside = 240
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 225
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 200
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 155
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 150
Paul Howard , S&A = 150
Simon Robinson , Heysham = 150
David Simpson , Penrith = 150
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 150
Alex Pritchard , Pryors Hayes = 150
Craig Fort , Nelson = 150
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 135
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Marcus Mohr , Hawarden = 120
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 100
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
David Peel , Stockport = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 100
Liam Ball , Chorley = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 85
Tom Graves , West Lancs = 75
Andrew Palmer , Chorley = 75
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 75
Lee Mayers , Fairhaven = 75
John Little , Heswall = 75
Aron Watkinson , Manchester = 75
Clive Robertson , Green Howarh = 75
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 65
James Wilson , Formby = 60
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 60
James Bolton , Penwortham = 60
Adam Smith , Accrington = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 50
Mark Rabone , S&A = 50
David Brown , Bromborough = 50
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 50
Ed Battye , Dewsbury = 50
Michael Murray , Todmorden = 50
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 45
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 45
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 45
Curtis Dean , St Annes Old Links = 40
James Martin , San Roque = 40
Fred Jewsbury , Ladbroke Park = 40
Phil Stanley , Penwortham = 40
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 40
Chris Harrison , Sandiway = 40
Mark Geddis , Prenton = 40
Kristian Taylor , Formby = 40
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 40
James McCormick , Disley = 40
Andy McLoughney , St Annes Old Links = 40
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 40
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Greg McIlroy , S&A = 30
Dean Pickard , Nelson = 30
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 30
Jason Sleigh , Shaw Hill = 30
Allan Mole , Worsley = 30
Graham Roberts , Eaton = 25
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 25
Martyn Walsh , Styal = 25
Liam Doherty , Mossock Hall = 25
Gary Spann , Stand = 25
Chris Nuttall , Accrington = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
David Jones , Ramsey = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 20
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 20
Paul Bartlett , Ashton & Lea = 20
Paul Williams , Denton = 20
Jason Kelly , Accrington = 20
Peter Nicholson , Vicars Cross = 15
David Nelson , Northenden = 15
Neil Sadler , Wallasey = 15
Liam Jeffery , Haigh Hall = 15
Neil Cruikshank , Royal Birkdale = 15
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Chris Heslop , Chipping Norton = 10
Andrew Borg , Penwortham = 10
James Newton , Prestbury = 10
Stephen Helm , Ashton & Lea = 10

Fort defends Acorn Trophy

CRAIG Fort won the Acorn Trophy at Accrington for the second year running thanks to a battling second round 68.

The Nelson man opened with a 77 to trail homespun Ian Hardman by seven shots but an outward half of 32 in the afternoon helped him on his way to a total of five-over-par in blustery conditions.

Hardman followed up with 77 to claim second place while Lancashire player Mark Young, from Longridge, picked up 30 points to move within 35 of long-time Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit leader and England player James Robinson from Southport & Ainsdale.

SCORES (Par=70): 145 Craig Fort (Nelson) 77 68; 147 Ian Hardman (Accrington) 70 77; 148 Clive Robertson (Green Howarth) 74 74, Adam Smith (Accrington) 72 76; 150 Michael Murray (Todmorden) 75 75, Tony Holt (Wilpshire) 74 76, Ken Hudson (Hart Common) 73 77; 151 Mark Young (Longridge) 73 78; 152 Chris Nuttall (Accrington) 79 73, Jason Jelly (Accrington) 74 78; 153 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 80 73, Paul McFerran (Childwall) 74 79.

ORDER OF MERIT: 355pts James Robinson (S&A); 320 Mark Young (Longridge); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot), Ritchie Blundell (Hillside); 225 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 155 Sean Towndrow (S&A).

Smart Alex

ALEX Pritchard was a model of consistency as he won the Bromborough Bowl, his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title.

The one handicapper from Pryors Hayes carded a pair of 71s for a two-under-par total, denying first round leader Liam Ball.

Newly-crowned Bolton champion Ball held a two-shot advantage after opening with a best-of-the-day 69 before closing with a 74 which earned him his first merit points of the season.

SCORES (Par=72): 142 Alex Pritchard (Pryors Hayes) 71 71; 143 Liam Ball (Chorley) 69 74; 146 Marcus Mohr (Bromborough) 71 75; 149 Daniel Young (Prestbury) 77 72, Adam Wills (Sandiway) 74 75; 150 Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 74 76; 151 Andrew McLoughney (St Annes Old Links) 76 75, Allan Mole (Worsley) 76 75; 152 James McCormick (Styal) 80 72, Edward Battye (Dewsbury) 79 73, Neil Cruikshank (Royal Birkdale) 77 75; 153 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 79 74,

ORDER OF MERIT: 355pts James Robinson (S&A); 290 Mark Young (Longridge); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 240 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot), Ritchie Blundell (Hillside); 225 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 200 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 155 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 150 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall), Paul Howard (S&A), Simon Robinson (Heysham), David Simpson (Penrith), Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury), Alex Pritchard (Pryors Hayes).

AMATEUR LEGEND WOLSTENHOLME WINS FIRST EVER PROFESSIONAL TITLE AT AGE OF 49

LEGENDARY amateur golfer Gary Wolstenholme has clinched his first ever professional title.

Wolstenholme, who turns 50 next month, won the latest PGA EuroPro tour event - The Stoke-By-Nayland Championship 2010 in Essex.

Awarded an MBE in 2007 for his services to golf, Wolstenholme won 218 caps for England, played in the Walker Cup six times and helped win the World Amateur Team Championship in 1998.

He only turned professional in 2008 aged 48 and hopes this victory proves the springboard to more success.

“It feels great,” said a delighted Wolstenholme, who collects £10,000 after he finished four shots ahead of James Busby and Brendan McCarroll.

“It still hasn’t sunk in but the really nice thing is that all the hard work has paid off.

“Although I’ve played well recently, I’ve not been scoring well so to go out there and have three decent rounds and win a tournament by four shows that work has paid off.

“Winning this tournament is certainly up there with the other things I’ve achieved.

“The fact I’ve achieved so much as an amateur doesn’t matter as in effect you’re back to square one as all of a sudden you’re playing for your living.

“When you’re playing for money even if you’re not in contention you don’t give up. You have to make the cut and get the money. All the money and points that you get added to your Order of Merit total really makes a big difference.

“But it was important for me to prove to myself and other people that I’m still a good player.

“The EuroPro Tour is a good standard of play and the top ten or 20 are really good golfers.

“Although I’ve been knocking on the door in the last few weeks, it’s great to make the transition and win an event. Hopefully it’ll open some more doors for me.

“The Seniors Tour is my goal without any doubt. I’ll be going to their Tour School in November but there are only six cards there.

“There are a lot of good players so I will have to play really well if I’m going to get one of those six cards. It won’t be easy to get on to the Seniors Tour.”

Ireland’s Brendan McCarroll had the advantage going into the final day but picked a bad time to have his worst round of the tournament.

McCarroll was aiming for his first victory on the Tour but bogeys at the fourth, sixth and tenth cost him dearly.

However, his tied second place was still his best ever finish on the Tour, beating his previous effort of tied fourth at the Players Club in Bristol in July 2007.

Other high finishers included Graeme Clark, the 2007 Order of Merit Champion, and Daniel Perrett who both ended on eight-under, with South African Darryn Lloyd among those on seven-under.

Australian Daniel Gaunt still heads the 2010 Order of Merit despite not competing at Stoke-by-Nayland.

He could have been overtaken by Craig Lee, Ian Keenan, James Hepworth or Stuart Archibald but none of them finished in the top ten.

Lee and Keenan both finished in tied 12th on five-under, Hepworth came 33rd on evens, while Archibald finished in 43rd place at two-over.

Colchester-based Jamie Moul was the leader on the opening day in the event that was being staged at his home course.

At the start of the third day Moul was three shots off the lead but his hopes of winning evaporated when he hit five bogeys in his opening 13 holes, although he still did enough for a top ten finish.

Other local players included Bury St Edmunds’ Lawrence Dodd in tied 12th, Chelmsford duo Jack Clarke and Lloyd Kennedy, who came tied 38th and tied 44th respectively, while Craig Housden (Channels) ended 49th with Dave Thomas (Hanbury Manor and Braintree Golf) in 52nd.

To see the full scores go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’.

Region turns on the gas at Wychwood Park

PGA North Region professionals travel to their farthest southern outpost for the inaugural Phoenix Gas Classic which starts at De Vere Wychwood Park next Wednesday (July 7).

It’s the first tournament of the season carrying full Order of Merit points and with a £10,000 prize-fund at stake it has attracted a 128-strong field headed by all the leading players.

The course, situated near Nantwich on the Cheshire Plains, has already hosted two successful Euro Pro Tour events and at 7,191 yards off the championship tees it is expected to provide a tough challenge.

Regional secretary Graham Maly said: “It’s an exciting new venture and we’re very impressed with the set-up which also includes superb practice facilities. We’ve only visited one before when we held our fourball championship there.”

The 36-hole event, sponsored by the Midlands-based energy company and initiated by club professional John Farmer, will be followed a post tournament pro-am on July 9 featuring 30 teams.

It’s the first sponsorship venture by Phil Grocott, managing director of Phoenix Gas, who is also a member at Wychwood Park.

His firm, which also incorporates a service section to the central heating side of the business, regards the pro-am as an ideal vehicle for entertaining his clients in the North Staffordshire and Cheshire region.

“I’m a keen golfer and it’s good to support the PGA in our area,” said the 46-year-old seven handicapper. “We’re all looking forward to it. In addition to our own teams we’ve also had entries from some of our suppliers.”

EXCITING FINISH GUARANTEED IN LATEST EUROPRO TOUR EVENT

A number of golfers are still in contention to win the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event – The Stoke-by-Nayland Championship 2010.

More than half a dozen players have hopes of winning the competition as only five shots separate the top ten going into the last day.

Ireland’s Brendan McCarroll has moved to the top of the leaderboard as seven birdies inside the first 12 holes set him up for a fine second round.

Gary Wolstenholme (Carus Green GC) ended the second day on -12 as he bids for his highest finish of the season.

Colchester-based Jamie Moul, 25, the pre-tournament betting favourite, is still well-placed to win the competition that is being staged at his home club.

Moul enjoyed a sensational end to day one with a run of eight birdies in ten holes to have a one-shot lead at the start of day two.

His performance on Wednesday was not as impressive as he went round in 69, three under par, to move to 11-under for the tournament.

Lawrence Dodd, who hails from Bury St Edmunds in nearby Suffolk, is also in contention for the £10,000 top prize.

Dodd, 26, who also regularly plays on the Challenge Tour, sits three shots behind Moul after a score on Wednesday of five-under, including an eagle at the par-five second.

But there were mixed fortunes for other local players as Andy Shakespear (Five Lakes), Ben Kerr (Saffron Walden), Warren Bennett (Sudbury Golf Club), Jaques Engelbrecht (Stoke-by-Nayland) and Jake Wakelin (Benton Hall / Sports Academy) failed to make the cut.

Graeme Clark (Doncaster Golf Club) began the day one shot behind Moul and he started well with an eagle on the second and birdies at the fifth and sixth but dropped shots at the 11th and 12th hit his hopes.

Daniel Perrett (Clevedon Golf Club) had one of the most eventful rounds with nine birdies and four bogeys but still did enough to move up to ten-under for the tournament.

Scotland’s Craig Lee, a winner at Bovey Castle earlier in the month, has forced himself into the chasing pack with a score of six-under today.

Ian Keenan, third in the Order of Merit, is among a large group of players on seven-under.

The top 50 players and ties have qualified for the final day’s play, which takes place on Thursday.

To find out the full results and scores, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’.