The latest points table in the Northern Order of Merit following the Mere Trophy at Mere Golf & Country Club can be seen below.
Mark Young , Longridge = 925
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 665
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 510
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 410
James Robinson , S&A = 355
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 355
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 315
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 300
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 295
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 285
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 255
Paul Howard , S&A = 250
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 250
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 220
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 190
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills USA = 180
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
David Peel , Stockport = 175
Marcus Mohr , Bromborough = 170
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 170
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 165
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 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
James Bolton , Formby = 145
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 140
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Steve Bryan , Bolton Old Links = 125
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 120
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 115
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
James Newton , Prestbury = 110
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 105
Garry Lacy , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Liam Ball , Chorley = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 100
Abisher Ruia , Dunham Forest = 100
Lawrence Noot , Enville = 100
Mark Rabone , S&A = 95
Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 85
Jordan Jones , Delamere Forest = 80
Tom Graves , West Lancs = 75
Andrew Palmer , Chorley = 75
Lee Mayers , Fairhaven = 75
John Little , Heswall = 75
Aron Watkinson , Manchester = 75
David Hannis , Blackpool NS = 75
Kevin Hamilton , Didsbury = 75
Shaun Field , Nelson = 75
Andrew Heesom , Clitheroe = 75
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 70
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 70
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 70
James Wilson , Formby = 60
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 60
James Bolton , Penwortham = 60
Adam Smith , Accrington = 60
Andrew Gibbins , Bolton Old Links = 60
Simon McSweeney , Ellesmere = 60
James Pennington , Coldene = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 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
David Collis , Blackpool NS = 50
Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 50
Robert Smith , Heysham = 50
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 45
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 45
Barry Barker , Reddish Vale = 45
Glyn Davies , Astbury = 45
Liam Jeffery , Haigh Hall = 45
Curtis Dean , St Annes Old Links = 40
James Martin , San Roque = 40
Fred Jewsbury , Ladbroke Park = 40
Phil Stanley , Penwortham = 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
James Olivant , Oliva Nova = 40
Matt Denton , Huyton & Prescot = 40
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Greg McIlroy , S&A = 30
Dean Pickard , Nelson = 30
Jason Sleigh , Shaw Hill = 30
Allan Mole , Worsley = 30
Paul Clarkson , Pleasington = 30
Scott Gowland , Blackpool NS = 30
Will Jones , Oswestry = 30
Mike McCormack , Moor Hall = 30
Ross Jackson , Bramall Park = 30
Andrew Borg , Penwortham = 30
Oliver Smith , Ashton-on-Mersey = 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
Gary Byrne , Clitheroe = 25
Andrew Addison , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 25
Chris McKellor , Ulverston = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
David Jones , Ramsey = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 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
Alex Illidge , Grange Park = 20
Peter Nicholson , Vicars Cross = 15
David Nelson , Northenden = 15
Neil Sadler , Wallasey = 15
Neil Cruikshank , Royal Birkdale = 15
Aiden Hooson , North Manchester = 15
Daniel Creaney , Birchwood = 15
Dean Moseley , Blackpool NS = 15
Ashley Sage , Sandiway = 15
Ryan Corbett , West Lancs = 15
Mark Richardson , Davenport = 15
Sam Stuart , St Annes Old Links = 15
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Chris Heslop , Chipping Norton = 10
Stephen Helm , Ashton & Lea = 10
Bob Overall , Fulford = 10
Tom Lord , Blackpool NS = 10
Andrew Millray , Windermere = 10
Ian Menzies , Wilmslow = 10
Thomas Cummings , Gt Lever & Farnworth = 10
Andrew Taylor , Chorley = 10
Fraser MacLeod , Hazel Grove = 10
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Last hole birdie seals Mere Trophy for Paul
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
PAUL Kinnear claimed his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title when he beat his Formby clubmate James Bolton on countback in the Mere Trophy.The 2009 Lancashire Boys’ champion posted two rounds of 71 for a level par total as Bolton followed up his opening 69 with 73.
A birdie on the final hole proved crucial for Kinnear on a day Mark Young increased his merit lead to 260 points with seven events remaining over S&A’s Sean Towndrow who succeeded him as county champion earlier this season.
SCORES (Par=71): 142 Paul Kinnear (Formby) 71 71, James Bolton (Formby) 69 73; 143 Jon Hurst (Shaw Hill) 69 74; 144 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 75 69, Mark Young (Longridge) 75 69, Andy Heesom (Clitheroe) 73 71, Sean Towndrow (S&A) 73 71, Oliver Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 73 71, Kevin Kean (Ashton-on-Mersey) 72 72, Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 72 72; 145 Sam Stewart (St Annes Old Links) 76 69, Fraser MacLeod (Hazel Grove) 71 74.
ORDER OF MERIT: 925pts Mark Young (Longridge); 665 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 510 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 410 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 355 James Robinson (S&A), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 295 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury).
Sunday, 29 August 2010
ROBINSON BECOMES FIRST AMATEUR TO WIN ON EUROPRO TOUR
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
JAMES Robinson has made history by becoming the first amateur to win an event on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
Robinson, 21, was only competing at the The VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland after being given a sponsors’ invite into the tournament.
But that did not stop him as he finished one shot ahead of Jamie Abbott and James Hepworth, although Robinson’s amateur status meant he did not collect the £10,000 top prize, which was instead shared between Abbott and Hepworth.
“It’s a great honour to be the first amateur player to win on the EuroPro Tour,” said Robinson. “I’m sure there will be others that will follow in my footsteps but it’s nice to be the first.
“I’m thinking about turning professional and it all depends on how I do at Tour School in September so I will just wait and see.
“I’m a bit gutted to not get the £10,000 but I don’t want to turn professional and then struggle.
“I would rather be ready, experienced and fully equipped. I’m getting really good coaching and it develops you as a player but I certainly have the taste of being a professional.
“This victory does a lot for my confidence as I’ve proved myself in a bigger field with better players.
“My biggest win before this was in the Lytham Trophy which was massive for me and great to win at my favourite course in front of my mum and dad.
“But it’s very nice to go and win a professional event as well and it’s hard to say what was the best win.
“On the last day it was just a case of holding on to the lead as we (Robinson and playing partner Hepworth) were egging each other on.
“He needed to do well to try and get his Challenge Tour card but knew if I won it wouldn’t affect how much money he won so he was made up for me.”
Robinson (Southport and Ainsdale) began the final day with a two-shot advantage and he held his nerve to triumph.
The eighth hole proved crucial as Robinson claimed a birdie while James Hepworth, who started the day in second place, registered a bogey.
Hepworth’s hopes of winning for the second time this season ended on the 11th when he shot a double-bogey six at the par-four hole.
Robinson can now add victory on the EuroPro Tour to his impressive list of achievements that included representing England at the 2009 Home Internationals after his success at the Lytham Trophy.
Four players – George Woolgar, Graeme Clark (Doncaster), James Busby (The Shropshire) and Matt Allen – all finished in tied fourth.
A number of players claimed low scores on the last day to catapult themselves up the leaderboard.
Nick McCarthy (Moortown) finished in the top 10 after four birdies in the opening five holes helped him to a final round of seven-under and a total of nine-under.
Kevin Harper (East Devon) and Neil Walker (Rotherham Golf Club) also ended in the top 20 after last day scores of six-under.
To see the full results, go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
The next EuroPro Tour event runs from Wednesday, September 8 to Friday, September 10 and will be held at Five Lakes in Essex.
Competition is set to be fierce as this is the last regular event of the season before the Tour Championships in Cyprus at the end of September.
Robinson, 21, was only competing at the The VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland after being given a sponsors’ invite into the tournament.
But that did not stop him as he finished one shot ahead of Jamie Abbott and James Hepworth, although Robinson’s amateur status meant he did not collect the £10,000 top prize, which was instead shared between Abbott and Hepworth.
“It’s a great honour to be the first amateur player to win on the EuroPro Tour,” said Robinson. “I’m sure there will be others that will follow in my footsteps but it’s nice to be the first.
“I’m thinking about turning professional and it all depends on how I do at Tour School in September so I will just wait and see.
“I’m a bit gutted to not get the £10,000 but I don’t want to turn professional and then struggle.
“I would rather be ready, experienced and fully equipped. I’m getting really good coaching and it develops you as a player but I certainly have the taste of being a professional.
“This victory does a lot for my confidence as I’ve proved myself in a bigger field with better players.
“My biggest win before this was in the Lytham Trophy which was massive for me and great to win at my favourite course in front of my mum and dad.
“But it’s very nice to go and win a professional event as well and it’s hard to say what was the best win.
“On the last day it was just a case of holding on to the lead as we (Robinson and playing partner Hepworth) were egging each other on.
“He needed to do well to try and get his Challenge Tour card but knew if I won it wouldn’t affect how much money he won so he was made up for me.”
Robinson (Southport and Ainsdale) began the final day with a two-shot advantage and he held his nerve to triumph.
The eighth hole proved crucial as Robinson claimed a birdie while James Hepworth, who started the day in second place, registered a bogey.
Hepworth’s hopes of winning for the second time this season ended on the 11th when he shot a double-bogey six at the par-four hole.
Robinson can now add victory on the EuroPro Tour to his impressive list of achievements that included representing England at the 2009 Home Internationals after his success at the Lytham Trophy.
Four players – George Woolgar, Graeme Clark (Doncaster), James Busby (The Shropshire) and Matt Allen – all finished in tied fourth.
A number of players claimed low scores on the last day to catapult themselves up the leaderboard.
Nick McCarthy (Moortown) finished in the top 10 after four birdies in the opening five holes helped him to a final round of seven-under and a total of nine-under.
Kevin Harper (East Devon) and Neil Walker (Rotherham Golf Club) also ended in the top 20 after last day scores of six-under.
To see the full results, go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
The next EuroPro Tour event runs from Wednesday, September 8 to Friday, September 10 and will be held at Five Lakes in Essex.
Competition is set to be fierce as this is the last regular event of the season before the Tour Championships in Cyprus at the end of September.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
AMATEUR ROBINSON AIMS TO MAKE EUROPRO TOUR HISTORY
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
JAMES Robinson is on course to become the first amateur player to win an event on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
Robinson, 21, holds a two-shot lead going into the final day of The VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland.
This is the first EuroPro Tour event Robinson (Southport and Ainsdale) has entered after he was given a sponsors’ invite into the three-day competition.
However, as he is still currently an amateur it means he will be ineligible for the £10,000 first prize if he were to win on Friday.
Robinson reached the semi-finals of the 2007 English Amateur Championship and clinched his biggest victory last year when he won the prestigious Lytham Trophy, which led to him being picked for England.
After an opening round of 66, Robinson started Thursday’s play one shot off the lead and moved top with a round of 65, seven-under.
He could have extended his advantage further if he had not made bogeys at both the fifth and seventh holes.
James Hepworth, fifth in the Order of Merit, is one of Robinson’s closest contenders as he is on 11-under after two days, two shots behind Robinson.
Play was delayed by 45 minutes due to fog but when the conditions cleared a number of golfers enjoyed fine rounds.
Gary Wolstenholme, a winner at Stoke-by-Nayland in July, has moved into the top 20 after a second day score of four-under.
Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) is aiming to become the first man in five years to win back-to-back tournaments and he slipped down to third despite a score of three-under.
The top 50 players plus ties at the end of the second day advance to the final round, which begins on Friday morning.
James Busby (The Shropshire) is one of the men pushing for a top six spot that would take him to next year’s Challenge Tour.
He was in tied second at the end of the opening day thanks to a score of 66 but he fell down the leaderboard with his second day score of 72.
To see the full results, go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Robinson, 21, holds a two-shot lead going into the final day of The VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland.
This is the first EuroPro Tour event Robinson (Southport and Ainsdale) has entered after he was given a sponsors’ invite into the three-day competition.
However, as he is still currently an amateur it means he will be ineligible for the £10,000 first prize if he were to win on Friday.
Robinson reached the semi-finals of the 2007 English Amateur Championship and clinched his biggest victory last year when he won the prestigious Lytham Trophy, which led to him being picked for England.
After an opening round of 66, Robinson started Thursday’s play one shot off the lead and moved top with a round of 65, seven-under.
He could have extended his advantage further if he had not made bogeys at both the fifth and seventh holes.
James Hepworth, fifth in the Order of Merit, is one of Robinson’s closest contenders as he is on 11-under after two days, two shots behind Robinson.
Play was delayed by 45 minutes due to fog but when the conditions cleared a number of golfers enjoyed fine rounds.
Gary Wolstenholme, a winner at Stoke-by-Nayland in July, has moved into the top 20 after a second day score of four-under.
Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) is aiming to become the first man in five years to win back-to-back tournaments and he slipped down to third despite a score of three-under.
The top 50 players plus ties at the end of the second day advance to the final round, which begins on Friday morning.
James Busby (The Shropshire) is one of the men pushing for a top six spot that would take him to next year’s Challenge Tour.
He was in tied second at the end of the opening day thanks to a score of 66 but he fell down the leaderboard with his second day score of 72.
To see the full results, go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
It’s Parry again as he storms to Leeds Cup victory
Labels:
PGA North Region
THE irrepressible Steve Parry continued to sweep all before him with another accomplished performance to win the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall.It was his second victory in a remarkable season for the 32-year-old professional who practised what he preaches to his pupils at his golf academy at Bolton club Hart Common.
Despite an uncharacteristic attack of nerves on the last two holes, which he bogeyed, Parry still had two shots to spare over Hillsborough assistant Mark Allen as he signed off with a 65 which, tagged to his opening 67, gave him a 10-under-par total.
Parry, who also won the Pokerstars Manx Classic at Mount Murray last month sandwiched between losing play-offs for the Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park and James Brearley Lancashire Open a week ago at Blackpool North Shore, needs only a handful of points to clinch the PGA North Region Order of Merit with two events remaining.
“That would be the icing on the cake,” he said after his eight birdie romp, spoiling an otherwise perfect set of figures with his late lapse.
“I looked up at the leader board at the 17th and saw I was four shots ahead then I suddenly went weak-kneed,” he admitted. “That’s not normally like me but it caused me to three put the last two holes.”
Parry, who has been on a roll all year since winning the Mansell Winter Series Order of Merit, attributed his consistency to regular work-outs in the gym, a new putter – and raised heels in his shoes!
“I’ve have insoles which give me more flexibility and maybe it’s all a coincidence but I’ve been playing well since they were fitted.”
He also had his swing checked out on Tuesday by Mark Pearson, a coach at Oulton Hall whom he’s been consulting for most of the season.
His winnings have already cleared his debts – and there’s plenty left over for his bid to win a European Tour card.
Allen, meanwhile, gave it his best shot as he produced his best finish of the campaign.
“When I birdied the 17th I thought I was in with a real chance until I saw how far Steve was in front of me. My target is to finish in the merit’s top 30 so I’m on course to achieve that,” said the 31-year-old who matched Parry’s 65.
Lancashire players fill five of the top 10 places Allen and John Wells, a past winner from Cherry Burton who finished tied fifth, providing the Yorkshire challenge.
Westerhope’s Michael Nesbit was leading North East player, a final round of 68 leaving him in a four-way share of 10th and seven off the pace.
Shot of the day was a hole in one at the sixth with a six ioron by Heysham’s Joe Senior.
LEADING SCORES: 132 Steve Parry (North West GA) 67 65; 134 Mark Allen (Hillsborough) 69 65; 137 Joe Senior (Heysham) 69 68, Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 69 68; 138 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 71 67, John Wells (Cherry Burton) 68 70, Stuart Runcie (Abergele) 68 70, Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) 67 71, David Smith (Swinton Park) 64 74; 139 Michael Nesbit (Westerhope) 71 68, Richard Pace (One Stop Golf) 70 69, Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks) 70 69, Chris Clarke (Waterfront) 69 70; 140 Gordon Brand (Marriott Hollins Hall) 70 70, Michael Ramsdale (Bondhay) 69 71, Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 69 71, Allyn Laing (Mount Murray) 73 67, Nick Sargeant (Eastham Lodge) 68 72, Graham Cox (Davenport) 67 73.
Pitch perfect Smith leads the way
Labels:
PGA North Region
DAVID Smith’s short game was off key until he fine tuned it to pitch perfect half-way through the first round of the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall.
After spread-eagling the field with a seven-under-par 64, the 37-year-old Swinton Park assistant admitted that shooting low was not on the cards before he blitzed the home stretch with five birdies in six holes.
And he narrowly missed a 12-foot putt on the final green that would have provided him with a sequence of five successive threes.
As it was he still marked down eight of them as he led by three shots from fellow Lancastrian Steve Parry and Cheshire pair Graham Cox and Paul Grannell.
“My wedging was not up my usual standard on the front nine but once I worked out what I was doing wrong I felt I couldn’t miss,” said the former Manchester Open winner.
Birdies on the par fives 12th and 13th set him on his roll and despite only using his putter 29 times he felt he left a couple more chances out on the course.
Smith also fed off Bolton-based Steve Parry, who has a healthy lead in the PGA North Region Order of Merit with two ranking events left after this one.
“He played well and that helped to inspire me,” he added.
Cox, an assistant at Davenport, revealed he had a lesson from his coach Adrian Fryer on Monday which resolved a driving problem as Grannell, from Vale Royal Abbey, continued the form that took him to victory in the Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park two months ago.
Among 14 players on 69 was 50-year-old Lindrick professional John King, competing in only his second tournament since breaking both his ankles in a buggy accident in Portugal six months ago.
LEADING SCORES: 64 David Smith (Swinton Park); 67 Graham Cox (Davenport), Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey), Steve Parry (NW Golf Academy); 68 James Salt (Ashton-under-Lyne), Nick Sargent (Eastham Lodge), Stuart Runcie (Abegele), John Wells (Cherry Burton); 69 Mark Hancock (Bolton Old Links), John King (Lindrick), John Fisher (Huyton & Prescot), Mark Allen (Hillsborough), Joe Senior (Heysham), Chris Clarke (Waterfront Golf), Grant Hamerton (Brookdale), Jon Cheetham (Gatley), Mark Ridley (South Moor), Chris Sands (Skycaddie), Alex Wrigley (Wynyard), Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), Michael Ramsden (Bonhay), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford).
EVANS CONTINUES FINE FORM ON PGA EUROPRO TOUR
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
MATTHEW Evans continued his fine form in the PGA EuroPro Tour as he shot the best round of the day for an early lead.
Evans, who won last week at Hever Castle in Kent, is aiming to be the first man in more than five years to win successive events.
His score of seven-under, which included an eagle at the 16th, put him in pole position on day one of the latest competition – The VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland.
Evans (Rotherham GC) is already guaranteed a spot on next year’s Challenge Tour but is on course to add to his prize money of more than £23,000 already won this season.
Essex golfers Dave Thomas and Ben Kerr are among those in tied second place after both shot scores of 66, six-under-par.
Kerr (Saffron Walden) enjoyed a flawless round with birdies at the fourth, eighth, ninth, 15th, 16th and 17th, while Thomas (Hanbury Manor and Braintree Golf) made five birdies, an eagle at the par-five 15th but dropped a shot at the second.
Both men have not enjoyed the best of seasons with Thomas only making the cut at three out of seven events and Kerr only playing on the final day in four out of nine tournaments.
But with £10,000 going to the winner, a victory would catapult them up the Order of Merit and in contention for a top six spot that would guarantee them a place on next season’s Challenge Tour.
Three other golfers also finished on six-under - Rob Harris (Blankney GC), James Hepworth (Ilkley GC) and James Busby (The Shropshire).
Matthew King (Toft Hotel), Jamie Abbott and Gareth Davies (Abbeydale GC) are among those on five-under but Davies could be left rueing a double bogey at the par-four sixth.
There is only one event left before the end of campaign Tour Championships in Cyprus so every pound won could prove critical.
Nick McCarthy, eighth in the money list, was left reflecting on bogeys at the 12th, 14th and 17th although he still managed to card a score of three-under.
Robert Steele, a winner at Burhill Golf Club back in May, needs to perform well on Thursday if he is to make the cut after an opening day total of one-under left him well off the pace.
The second round begins at 7.30am on Thursday and at the end of the day the top 50 plus ties will advance to the final round on Friday.
To see the latest scores, go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates on the right-hand side.
Evans, who won last week at Hever Castle in Kent, is aiming to be the first man in more than five years to win successive events.
His score of seven-under, which included an eagle at the 16th, put him in pole position on day one of the latest competition – The VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland.
Evans (Rotherham GC) is already guaranteed a spot on next year’s Challenge Tour but is on course to add to his prize money of more than £23,000 already won this season.
Essex golfers Dave Thomas and Ben Kerr are among those in tied second place after both shot scores of 66, six-under-par.
Kerr (Saffron Walden) enjoyed a flawless round with birdies at the fourth, eighth, ninth, 15th, 16th and 17th, while Thomas (Hanbury Manor and Braintree Golf) made five birdies, an eagle at the par-five 15th but dropped a shot at the second.
Both men have not enjoyed the best of seasons with Thomas only making the cut at three out of seven events and Kerr only playing on the final day in four out of nine tournaments.
But with £10,000 going to the winner, a victory would catapult them up the Order of Merit and in contention for a top six spot that would guarantee them a place on next season’s Challenge Tour.
Three other golfers also finished on six-under - Rob Harris (Blankney GC), James Hepworth (Ilkley GC) and James Busby (The Shropshire).
Matthew King (Toft Hotel), Jamie Abbott and Gareth Davies (Abbeydale GC) are among those on five-under but Davies could be left rueing a double bogey at the par-four sixth.
There is only one event left before the end of campaign Tour Championships in Cyprus so every pound won could prove critical.
Nick McCarthy, eighth in the money list, was left reflecting on bogeys at the 12th, 14th and 17th although he still managed to card a score of three-under.
Robert Steele, a winner at Burhill Golf Club back in May, needs to perform well on Thursday if he is to make the cut after an opening day total of one-under left him well off the pace.
The second round begins at 7.30am on Thursday and at the end of the day the top 50 plus ties will advance to the final round on Friday.
To see the latest scores, go to www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates on the right-hand side.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Flamborough Head Golf Opens
Labels:
Yorkshire
There are still a few spaces available in some of the remaining open events at Flamborough Head Golf Club, East Yorkshire.
The last few places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with entry-forms available here.
There are two events this coming Bank Holiday weekend on Sunday 29th August. The first is a Gents Pairs Open during the morning with an entry-fee of just £22 per pair. Whilst a Mixed Pairs Open is scheduled for the afternoon, also costing £22 per couple.
On Sunday 5th September a Gents Team Open for the Inter-Club Trophy will take place. This is an Am-Am Stableford and has an entry-fee of £58 per team of 4.
Finally, on Saturday 11th September, you can still enter the The Flaneberg Masters, a Gents Individual Open for golfers with a maximum handicap of 28. Entry is excellent value at £16 per person.
The last few places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with entry-forms available here.
There are two events this coming Bank Holiday weekend on Sunday 29th August. The first is a Gents Pairs Open during the morning with an entry-fee of just £22 per pair. Whilst a Mixed Pairs Open is scheduled for the afternoon, also costing £22 per couple.
On Sunday 5th September a Gents Team Open for the Inter-Club Trophy will take place. This is an Am-Am Stableford and has an entry-fee of £58 per team of 4.
Finally, on Saturday 11th September, you can still enter the The Flaneberg Masters, a Gents Individual Open for golfers with a maximum handicap of 28. Entry is excellent value at £16 per person.
Senior wins Lakes Classic after late birdie blitz
Labels:
PGA North Region
HEYSHAM professional Joe Senior, playing in only his third event of the season, won the Lakes Classic at Windermere after a storming finish to his second round.
The 27-year-old, who’s spent most of the year running demo days for an equipment firm, grabbed five birdies in his last seven holes for a 60 which, added to his opening 66, gave him an eight-under-par total.
His victory helped to compensate for losing a three-way play-off in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore last week.
David Shacklady, the most prolific winner on the PGA North Region circuit, was a shot back after rounds of 65 and 62 while three behind him in a tie for third place were host club pro Simon Edwards and Wychwood Park’s Richard Bean who both fired a pair of 65s.
The 27-year-old, who’s spent most of the year running demo days for an equipment firm, grabbed five birdies in his last seven holes for a 60 which, added to his opening 66, gave him an eight-under-par total.
His victory helped to compensate for losing a three-way play-off in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore last week.
David Shacklady, the most prolific winner on the PGA North Region circuit, was a shot back after rounds of 65 and 62 while three behind him in a tie for third place were host club pro Simon Edwards and Wychwood Park’s Richard Bean who both fired a pair of 65s.
EVANS WINS FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON ON PGA EUROPRO TOUR
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
MATTHEW Evans will be playing on the Challenge Tour next season after he won his second PGA EuroPro Tour event of the season.
Evans, 23, clinched the Skycaddie European Championships at the Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent when he finished a shot ahead of Justin Evans.
The pair, who are not related, battled it out for the title in a thrilling last day where at one stage only two shots separated the top 14 men.
The money appeared to be heading to Justin Evans (Wentworth Club) when he putted in from 20 yards to claim an eagle at the tenth and move one shot ahead.
However, things started going wrong for him when he three-putted at the 15th for a bogey and then dropped another shot on the 16th.
Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) had started the tournament badly as he was five shots off the lead on the opening day but a round of 67 on Wednesday saw him begin the last day two shots behind.
Two dropped shots in the opening five holes seemed to have ended his chances before he produced a stunning recovery.
He birdied the ninth, claimed an eagle at the par-five tenth and then made further birdies at the 11th, 13th and 17th to take the title.
This follows his victory at the Players Club in Bristol and lifts him up to second in the Order of Merit. He is now guaranteed a place in the top six of the money list at the end of the campaign and can look forward to competing on the Challenge Tour next season.
Zane Scotland was aiming to become the first golfer in more than five years to win back-to-back events on the Tour after winning last week at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe.
Scotland was hoping to be the first man to triumph in successive events since England’s Simon Robinson won at The Swallow in Suffolk and then a week later at Morley Hayes in Derbyshire back in July 2005.
But it was not to be Scotland’s day, although he pocketed £2,500 as he finished in third place two shots behind Matthew Evans.
Matt Allen came fourth, James Freeman (Worksop GC) and Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex) were tied fifth, with Brendan McCarroll, Daniel Wardrop and Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) all tied seventh.
Gary Wolstenholme, who turns 50 on Saturday, had been in the top 15 on the opening day but scores of 76 and 75 on Wednesday and Thursday respectively left him in tied 51st.
To see the full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Evans, 23, clinched the Skycaddie European Championships at the Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent when he finished a shot ahead of Justin Evans.
The pair, who are not related, battled it out for the title in a thrilling last day where at one stage only two shots separated the top 14 men.
The money appeared to be heading to Justin Evans (Wentworth Club) when he putted in from 20 yards to claim an eagle at the tenth and move one shot ahead.
However, things started going wrong for him when he three-putted at the 15th for a bogey and then dropped another shot on the 16th.
Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) had started the tournament badly as he was five shots off the lead on the opening day but a round of 67 on Wednesday saw him begin the last day two shots behind.
Two dropped shots in the opening five holes seemed to have ended his chances before he produced a stunning recovery.
He birdied the ninth, claimed an eagle at the par-five tenth and then made further birdies at the 11th, 13th and 17th to take the title.
This follows his victory at the Players Club in Bristol and lifts him up to second in the Order of Merit. He is now guaranteed a place in the top six of the money list at the end of the campaign and can look forward to competing on the Challenge Tour next season.
Zane Scotland was aiming to become the first golfer in more than five years to win back-to-back events on the Tour after winning last week at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe.
Scotland was hoping to be the first man to triumph in successive events since England’s Simon Robinson won at The Swallow in Suffolk and then a week later at Morley Hayes in Derbyshire back in July 2005.
But it was not to be Scotland’s day, although he pocketed £2,500 as he finished in third place two shots behind Matthew Evans.
Matt Allen came fourth, James Freeman (Worksop GC) and Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex) were tied fifth, with Brendan McCarroll, Daniel Wardrop and Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) all tied seventh.
Gary Wolstenholme, who turns 50 on Saturday, had been in the top 15 on the opening day but scores of 76 and 75 on Wednesday and Thursday respectively left him in tied 51st.
To see the full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Seve's new charity golf event goes nationwide in 2011
National Golf Club Challenge to double in size next year!
After a successful launch year in 2010, The National Golf Club Challenge will double in size in 2011 with a new event in support of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, working in partnership with Cancer Research UK.
The organisation's Help For Heroes 2011 event will take place on the weekend of 4th- 5th June 2011, with a new nationwide Seve Ballesteros Foundation event on the 23rd- 24th July weekend.
Speaking of his support for the new nationwide event, Seve Ballesteros comments: "I have always admired and loved British people. Their support during the toughest match of my life is very special. I am proud to be involved in the National Golf Club Challenge and I hope golf clubs throughout the UK will take part to raise funds for The Seve Ballesteros Foundation, in partnership with Cancer Research UK. By signing up to the challenge, clubs all over the UK can enjoy the sport while raising money for brain cancer research."
2010's National Golf Club Challenge brought hundreds of golf clubs and thousands of golfers together on the same weekend in July as part of a nationwide fundraiser, with each participating golf club hosting their own charity golf day in aid of Help for Heroes.
In 2011 the two National Golf Club Challenge competitions are designed to coincide with participating golf club's monthly Stableford event, with each club turning the day into their own charity golf day. Competing clubs submit aggregate scores from their 10 best players on the day. This then determines the top scoring golf clubs against standard scratch, who will be invited to compete in a climactic National Final for each event.
"The inaugural National Golf Club Challenge event has been an outstanding success, exceeding everyone's expectations." commented Event Director Stacey Jeffries, "The great British golfing community have supported the event in their thousands. With this in mind, we are looking forward to doubling our efforts in 2011 in order to stage two challenge events - in support of two very worthy charities".
Seve Ballesteros, whom many consider to be the greatest golfer ever to play the European Tour, set up the Seve Ballesteros Foundation in 2009 and works in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for the charity's world class research into cancers of the brain.
The five-time Major winner continues to be an inspiration in his personal life as much as he was during his professional career. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 after collapsing at Madrid Airport. Having undergone four operations, intensive chemotherapy and a six-week course of radiotherapy, Seve is now fighting back with the same grit and determination we have seen from him on the golf course.
For more information on The National Golf Club Challenge, including how to enter your golf club for either or both of the 2011 events, go to www.ngcc.co.uk or www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk.
After a successful launch year in 2010, The National Golf Club Challenge will double in size in 2011 with a new event in support of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, working in partnership with Cancer Research UK.
The organisation's Help For Heroes 2011 event will take place on the weekend of 4th- 5th June 2011, with a new nationwide Seve Ballesteros Foundation event on the 23rd- 24th July weekend.
Speaking of his support for the new nationwide event, Seve Ballesteros comments: "I have always admired and loved British people. Their support during the toughest match of my life is very special. I am proud to be involved in the National Golf Club Challenge and I hope golf clubs throughout the UK will take part to raise funds for The Seve Ballesteros Foundation, in partnership with Cancer Research UK. By signing up to the challenge, clubs all over the UK can enjoy the sport while raising money for brain cancer research."
2010's National Golf Club Challenge brought hundreds of golf clubs and thousands of golfers together on the same weekend in July as part of a nationwide fundraiser, with each participating golf club hosting their own charity golf day in aid of Help for Heroes.
In 2011 the two National Golf Club Challenge competitions are designed to coincide with participating golf club's monthly Stableford event, with each club turning the day into their own charity golf day. Competing clubs submit aggregate scores from their 10 best players on the day. This then determines the top scoring golf clubs against standard scratch, who will be invited to compete in a climactic National Final for each event.
"The inaugural National Golf Club Challenge event has been an outstanding success, exceeding everyone's expectations." commented Event Director Stacey Jeffries, "The great British golfing community have supported the event in their thousands. With this in mind, we are looking forward to doubling our efforts in 2011 in order to stage two challenge events - in support of two very worthy charities".
Seve Ballesteros, whom many consider to be the greatest golfer ever to play the European Tour, set up the Seve Ballesteros Foundation in 2009 and works in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for the charity's world class research into cancers of the brain.
The five-time Major winner continues to be an inspiration in his personal life as much as he was during his professional career. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 after collapsing at Madrid Airport. Having undergone four operations, intensive chemotherapy and a six-week course of radiotherapy, Seve is now fighting back with the same grit and determination we have seen from him on the golf course.
For more information on The National Golf Club Challenge, including how to enter your golf club for either or both of the 2011 events, go to www.ngcc.co.uk or www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk.
LoudMouth Golf to sponsor SingleFigureGolfer final at Trevose
Labels:
Single Figure Golfer
LoudMouth Golf has agreed to a sponsorship deal to supply the trousers for the 3-day SingleFigureGolfer (SFG) final at Trevose in North Cornwall on October 18th – 20th .
The SFG Challenge Tour sponsored by Srixon and LoudMouth Golf uses 80 existing club open events to provide a schedule of targeted tournaments in the UK for golfers with a handicap of under 10 to try and qualify for the SFG team. The SFG team will be captained by Peter McEvoy OBE, and will be competing against players, all of whom are ex Ryder Cup and Walker Cup players.
Sponsorship of the SFG Tour will allow LoudMouth to kit out both teams in their unique style of trousers, with the SFG team wearing the pink ‘Cotton Candy’ range and the Professional team wearing the ‘Pole Position or Oakmont Houndstooth’ range.LoudMouth Golf is recognised as the leading brand in outrageous, fun golf apparel for men and women.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting SingleFigureGolfer for this event and feel that this fits our strategy in working with innovative companies and ideas. It will be great to see the Ryder Cup boys in our show stopping pants!” – Larry Jackson CEO, Loudmouth Golf
“We’re delighted to be working with LoudMouth Golf. The tour has seen close to 8,000 golfers take part this year and exceeded our expectations so it will be superb to have Loudmouth on board at the final and further reward those golfers who make the team.” – Paul Heming, Chief Executive, Single Figure Golfer.
Three in a row for Mark
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
MARK Ashworth called the shots in the Revidge Cannon at Blackburn for the third successive year.
But the Clitheroe player cut it fine, getting the verdict on a better second round after tying with Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit leader Mark Young.
It was Ashworth’s second success in six days after finishing top amateur in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.
He followed a level par 71 with 67 which he started with birdies at the opening two holes and later added three more to his tally, dropping his only shot of the round at the short 16th.
Meanwhile, Lancashire player Young, from Longridge, extended his merit lead to 210 points over Hillside’s Richie Blundell with eight events remaining.
SCORES (Par=71): 138 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 71 67, Mark Young (Longridge) 69 69; 141 Shaun Field (Nelson) 73 68, Sean Towndrow (S&A) 70 71; 143 Robert Smith (Heysham) 74 69; 144 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 74 70, Jordan Jones (Delamere Forest) 72 72; 145 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 74 71; 146 Chris McKellor (Ulverston) 73 73, Andrew Borg (Penwortham) 72 74, Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 70 76; 147 Andrew Taylor (Chorley) 73 74.
ORDER OF MERIT: 875pts Mark Young (Longridge); 665 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 470 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 355 James Robinson (S&A), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 350 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 295 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury).
But the Clitheroe player cut it fine, getting the verdict on a better second round after tying with Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit leader Mark Young.
It was Ashworth’s second success in six days after finishing top amateur in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.
He followed a level par 71 with 67 which he started with birdies at the opening two holes and later added three more to his tally, dropping his only shot of the round at the short 16th.
Meanwhile, Lancashire player Young, from Longridge, extended his merit lead to 210 points over Hillside’s Richie Blundell with eight events remaining.
SCORES (Par=71): 138 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 71 67, Mark Young (Longridge) 69 69; 141 Shaun Field (Nelson) 73 68, Sean Towndrow (S&A) 70 71; 143 Robert Smith (Heysham) 74 69; 144 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 74 70, Jordan Jones (Delamere Forest) 72 72; 145 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 74 71; 146 Chris McKellor (Ulverston) 73 73, Andrew Borg (Penwortham) 72 74, Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 70 76; 147 Andrew Taylor (Chorley) 73 74.
ORDER OF MERIT: 875pts Mark Young (Longridge); 665 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 470 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 355 James Robinson (S&A), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 350 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 295 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury).
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
EVANS LEADS THE RACE FOR £10,000
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
JUSTIN Evans is leading the race for the £10,000 in the latest event on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
Evans (Wentworth Club) goes into the final day of the Skycaddie European Championships at the Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent on seven-under
At the start of the day three men – James Heath, Adam Chamberlain and Robert Watkins – all shared the lead on five-under.
Evans was one of three players in tied fourth but his round of three-under on Wednesday was enough to give him an outright lead by one shot.
He claimed birdies at the second, seventh, tenth and 16th but would have been further ahead had he not dropped a shot at the 11th
Zane Scotland was the youngest ever qualifier for The Open aged only 16 back in 1999.
But he is now back playing on the EuroPro Tour and he triumphed last week at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe when he competed in his first event on the Tour since 2007.
He is well placed and in contention again as he currently sits one shot behind Evans on six-under.
Like Evans, Scotland shot a round of three-under on Wednesday but will be hoping that bogeys at the third and sixth do not prove costly.
William Boniface (Five Lakes), Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC), Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) and Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex) are all in tied third on five-under.
Matt Allen, Will Roebuck (Mentmore) and George Woolgar are all a shot further back but will still fancy their chances of winning the competition.
The final round begins at 7.30am as the top 50 plus ties have advanced to the final round on Thursday.
To see the full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Evans (Wentworth Club) goes into the final day of the Skycaddie European Championships at the Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent on seven-under
At the start of the day three men – James Heath, Adam Chamberlain and Robert Watkins – all shared the lead on five-under.
Evans was one of three players in tied fourth but his round of three-under on Wednesday was enough to give him an outright lead by one shot.
He claimed birdies at the second, seventh, tenth and 16th but would have been further ahead had he not dropped a shot at the 11th
Zane Scotland was the youngest ever qualifier for The Open aged only 16 back in 1999.
But he is now back playing on the EuroPro Tour and he triumphed last week at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe when he competed in his first event on the Tour since 2007.
He is well placed and in contention again as he currently sits one shot behind Evans on six-under.
Like Evans, Scotland shot a round of three-under on Wednesday but will be hoping that bogeys at the third and sixth do not prove costly.
William Boniface (Five Lakes), Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC), Matthew Evans (Rotherham GC) and Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex) are all in tied third on five-under.
Matt Allen, Will Roebuck (Mentmore) and George Woolgar are all a shot further back but will still fancy their chances of winning the competition.
The final round begins at 7.30am as the top 50 plus ties have advanced to the final round on Thursday.
To see the full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Brand heads Leeds Cup challenge
Labels:
PGA North Region
THE Leeds Cup, professional golf’s oldest trophy inaugurated in 1902, returns to De Vere Oulton Hall next week (Aug 25-26) after five years.
And, as expected, it has attracted all the leading PGA North Region players including several former winners.
Among them is Ilkley’s Ryder Cup man Gordon Brand, attached to Hollins Hall, who won the PGA Seniors’ Championship at Slaley Hall two years ago.
His name was inscribed on the magnificent silver trophy - donated by Leeds City Council - in 1988 alongside legends such as the first winner Harry Vardon, the only man to claim six Open Championship titles, George Duncan, Ted Ray, Archie Compston and Ryder Cup stars John Fallon, Ted Jarman and Alex Caygill.
Chris Clarke, a 26-year-old assistant at Wath club Waterfront Golf, defends the title he won last season when he beat 2007 winner John Wells, from Cherry Burton, in a play-off at Cobble Hall – the tournament’s original home.
He will face a formidable line-up which includes Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady, a beaten finalist in last week’s Glenmuir Professional Tournament, fellow Lancastrian Steve Parry, who leads the regional Order of Merit, and a strong North East contingent led by Westerhope’s Mike Nesbit and Morpeth’s David Clark.
De Vere, who have restored their sponsorship after a five-year absence preceded by an agreement which lasted more than a decade, have provided a £12,500 prize-fund for the event which is preceded by a pro-am.
And, as expected, it has attracted all the leading PGA North Region players including several former winners.
Among them is Ilkley’s Ryder Cup man Gordon Brand, attached to Hollins Hall, who won the PGA Seniors’ Championship at Slaley Hall two years ago.
His name was inscribed on the magnificent silver trophy - donated by Leeds City Council - in 1988 alongside legends such as the first winner Harry Vardon, the only man to claim six Open Championship titles, George Duncan, Ted Ray, Archie Compston and Ryder Cup stars John Fallon, Ted Jarman and Alex Caygill.
Chris Clarke, a 26-year-old assistant at Wath club Waterfront Golf, defends the title he won last season when he beat 2007 winner John Wells, from Cherry Burton, in a play-off at Cobble Hall – the tournament’s original home.
He will face a formidable line-up which includes Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady, a beaten finalist in last week’s Glenmuir Professional Tournament, fellow Lancastrian Steve Parry, who leads the regional Order of Merit, and a strong North East contingent led by Westerhope’s Mike Nesbit and Morpeth’s David Clark.
De Vere, who have restored their sponsorship after a five-year absence preceded by an agreement which lasted more than a decade, have provided a £12,500 prize-fund for the event which is preceded by a pro-am.
Power and glory for big-shot Hollingworth
Labels:
PGA North Region
BIG-HITTING Mike Hollingworth staged a show of power to muscle his way to victory in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore after a three-way play-off.But the 38-year-old Denton professional, who regularly launches 300-yard plus drives, admitted the course with its generously wide fairways and forgiving rough suited his game to a “tee.”
“There was no pressure because I could just give the ball a rip, go and find it and carry on,” he said after beating Heysham’s Joe Senior with a tap-in birdie at the third extra hole.
Earlier Steve Parry, winner of last month’s Pokerstars Manx Classic, fell at the first hurdle when he took three attempts to escape a bunker some 60 yards from the green.
The trio were deadlocked after normal time on seven-under-par over two rounds, both Hollingworth and Senior shaving the hole for outright victory on the 18th.
But for much of the time Luton-based Paul Simpson, joint overnight leader with Senior and playing on a sponsor’s invitation, was in the driving seat until he bogeyed the last three holes for a 71 to pull up a shot short alongside Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady who posted 70.
Parry, who runs a golf school at Westhoughton club Hart Common, filed a best of the day 65 and was leader in the clubhouse until Hollingworth came in with a 68 and Senior, professional at Heysham, followed with 70.
Hollingworth won the title nine years ago when it was a county event but upgraded this season into a full North Region Order of Merit tournament.
He revealed: “I’ve no plans to increase my playing schedule because I’m a family man and I’ve a busy club to run. The Denton members are incredibly supportive and they’re my priority.
“I know I’ve beaten some of the best players in the region but I’m nowhere near good enough to compete regularly.”
He described his par on the short 17th as crucial, having extricated the ball from a tough lie in the rough.
“That was a bonus but my short game was key to my success,” he added.
LEADING SCORES (Par=71): 135 Steve Parry (NW Golf Academy) 70 65, Mike Hollingworth (Denton) 67 68, Joe Senior (Heysham) 65 70 Hollingworth won at 3rd extra hole; 136 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 69 67, Paul Simpson (Luton Hoo) 65 71; 137 David Wilcock (Gathurst) 68 69, David Smith (Swinton Park) 66 71; 138 Jon Cheetham (Gatley) 69 69, Mark Sheppard (Darland) 69 69, John Fisher (Huyton & Prescot) 67 71; 139 David Green (Dukinfield) 70 69, Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) 70 69, Matthew Ellis (Romiley) 70 69, Paul Eales (Garstang) 70 69Mike Nesbit (Westerhope) 67 72.
WOLSTENHOLME IN CONTENTION JUST SHORT OF HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
GARY Wolstenholme is in contention to win another PGA EuroPro Tour event – only days before he turns 50.
Wolstenholme reaches the milestone on Saturday and is still playing wonderful golf after a glittering amateur career that saw him win more caps for England than any other golfer, play in the Walker Cup five times and receive an MBE for services to golf.
He did not turn professional until he was 48 and he won his first EuroPro Tour in event earlier this year when he triumphed at Stoke-by-Nayland, Essex in July.
Wolstenholme (Carus Green GC) is currently in the top 20 on the opening day of the latest event, The Skycaddie European Championships at the Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent.
Starting from hole ten, he birdied the tenth, bogeyed the 17th but further birdies at the first and ninth left him on two-under.
The three-day competition concludes on Thursday with £10,000 going to the winner and this could be one of Wolstenholme’s last events on the EuroPro Tour.
On Saturday he becomes eligible to compete on the European Seniors Tour alongside golfing legends including Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam.
Wolstenholme has already signed up to play his first Seniors event – The Travis Perkins PLC Senior Masters at Woburn – at the start of September and will be at their Q School in November.
The Skycaddie European Championships is the 11th competition of the PGA EuroPro Tour season with 2007 Order Of Merit Champion Graeme Clark (Doncaster) a clubhouse leader on day one.
Clark’s round of 68, four under par, included a passage of three birdies in four holes and gave him an early lead.
William Boniface and Will Roebuck both shot rounds of three-under, although Roebuck was left rueing a double bogey six at the par-four 13th.
There are only two more events before the end of season Tour Championships, which will be staged in Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus.
At the end of the Tour Championships the top six in the Order of Merit will advance to the Challenge Tour and be one stage away from playing alongside Europe’s elite on the European Tour.
Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) is currently third in the money list but suffered a disappointing day as a triple bogey seven at the par-four 16th left him facing an uphill battle to make the cut.
James Busby, who finished second last week at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe, was another who struggled on day one with a score of two-over.
Zane Scotland defeated Busby by one shot in Crewe and made a bright start here with birdies at the first, fifth and sixth holes.
Justin Evans (Wentworth Club) was well-placed after an eagle on the par-five tenth, while Adam Chamberlain claimed four birdies in the first eight holes.
The second round begins at 7.30am tomorrow and at the end of Wednesday’s play the top 50 plus ties will advance to the final round on Thursday.
To see the full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Wolstenholme reaches the milestone on Saturday and is still playing wonderful golf after a glittering amateur career that saw him win more caps for England than any other golfer, play in the Walker Cup five times and receive an MBE for services to golf.
He did not turn professional until he was 48 and he won his first EuroPro Tour in event earlier this year when he triumphed at Stoke-by-Nayland, Essex in July.
Wolstenholme (Carus Green GC) is currently in the top 20 on the opening day of the latest event, The Skycaddie European Championships at the Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent.
Starting from hole ten, he birdied the tenth, bogeyed the 17th but further birdies at the first and ninth left him on two-under.
The three-day competition concludes on Thursday with £10,000 going to the winner and this could be one of Wolstenholme’s last events on the EuroPro Tour.
On Saturday he becomes eligible to compete on the European Seniors Tour alongside golfing legends including Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam.
Wolstenholme has already signed up to play his first Seniors event – The Travis Perkins PLC Senior Masters at Woburn – at the start of September and will be at their Q School in November.
The Skycaddie European Championships is the 11th competition of the PGA EuroPro Tour season with 2007 Order Of Merit Champion Graeme Clark (Doncaster) a clubhouse leader on day one.
Clark’s round of 68, four under par, included a passage of three birdies in four holes and gave him an early lead.
William Boniface and Will Roebuck both shot rounds of three-under, although Roebuck was left rueing a double bogey six at the par-four 13th.
There are only two more events before the end of season Tour Championships, which will be staged in Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus.
At the end of the Tour Championships the top six in the Order of Merit will advance to the Challenge Tour and be one stage away from playing alongside Europe’s elite on the European Tour.
Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) is currently third in the money list but suffered a disappointing day as a triple bogey seven at the par-four 16th left him facing an uphill battle to make the cut.
James Busby, who finished second last week at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe, was another who struggled on day one with a score of two-over.
Zane Scotland defeated Busby by one shot in Crewe and made a bright start here with birdies at the first, fifth and sixth holes.
Justin Evans (Wentworth Club) was well-placed after an eagle on the par-five tenth, while Adam Chamberlain claimed four birdies in the first eight holes.
The second round begins at 7.30am tomorrow and at the end of Wednesday’s play the top 50 plus ties will advance to the final round on Thursday.
To see the full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Bradley chases third Lakes title
Labels:
PGA North Region
MARK Bradley faces some tough competition when he defends his Lakes Classic crown at Windermere this weekend (Aug 21-22).
He claimed the title for a second time with a putter he bought from a member at Chorley where he is professional. And he’s still using it although he’s not won since!
A 47-strong field includes Andrew Barnett, Will Barnes and Barry Taylor who played for GB&I in the biennial PGA Cup against the United States at Loch Lomond resort The Carrick last autumn.
But the player who poses the biggest threat is David Shacklady who has already booked his place for next year’s revenge mission to California.
The Lancastrian, the most prolific winner on the North Region pro-am circuit, earned the privilege after going within a whisker of landing the £10,000 prize pot in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at The Oxfordshire last weekend, losing to Ireland’s David Mortimer at the first extra hole.
Shacklady is also a past Lakes Classic winner, as is Huddersfield’s Paul Carman who is pursuing a record fifth title.
Local interest is provided by host club professional Simon Edwards and his predecessor Steve Rooke.
He claimed the title for a second time with a putter he bought from a member at Chorley where he is professional. And he’s still using it although he’s not won since!
A 47-strong field includes Andrew Barnett, Will Barnes and Barry Taylor who played for GB&I in the biennial PGA Cup against the United States at Loch Lomond resort The Carrick last autumn.
But the player who poses the biggest threat is David Shacklady who has already booked his place for next year’s revenge mission to California.
The Lancastrian, the most prolific winner on the North Region pro-am circuit, earned the privilege after going within a whisker of landing the £10,000 prize pot in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at The Oxfordshire last weekend, losing to Ireland’s David Mortimer at the first extra hole.
Shacklady is also a past Lakes Classic winner, as is Huddersfield’s Paul Carman who is pursuing a record fifth title.
Local interest is provided by host club professional Simon Edwards and his predecessor Steve Rooke.
Senior, Simpson lead Lancashire Open
Labels:
PGA North Region
JOE Senior dusted down his clubs and swept to a six-under-par 65 for a share of the first round lead in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.
The Heysham professional has spent most of the year running demo days for an equipment firm and kept his swing in shape through occasional visit to the driving range.
“I was too busy to play,” said the 27year-old as he racked up an eagle and five birdies as his score was match by Luton-based Paul Simpson who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation.
“This is only my second outing of the season but I drove well and that was the key,” said Senior who proved he’s lost none of his competitive edge on a course where he shot a record 62 in 2005, a mark shared by triple winner David Shacklady, from Mossock Hall.
Starting his round from the 10th, he rolled in three birdies on his way to the turn, lamenting a three-putt bogey from 12 feet at the 16th, before striking a rescue club to the heart of the third green for his eagle then picking up two more shots at the seventh and eighth.
Simpson, 41, who also took an extended break from the game until this year, reeled off seven birdies as Swinton Park’s David Smith, the 2006 winner, grabbed a brace of eagles to sit one off the pace.
DETAILS (Par 71): 65 Joe Senior (Heysham), Paul Simpson (Luton Hoo); 66 David Smith (Swinton Park); 67 Mike Nesbit (Westerhope), Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey), Mike Hollingworth (Denton); 68 David Wilcock (Gathurst), John O’Neill (Huyton & Prescot), Lee Rooke (Vale of Llangollen), Ian Gregory (Bolton), Richard Booth (Hale), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford), John Cheetham (Marriott Worsley Park); 69 Mark Sheppard (Darland), Joseph Feather (Leeds Golf Centre), Jon Cheetham (Gatley), Tom Bolton (Hazel Grove), Chris Crowder (Lee Park), Paul Carmen (Huddersfield), Graham Cox (Davenport), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Trevor Newsham (Heysham).
The Heysham professional has spent most of the year running demo days for an equipment firm and kept his swing in shape through occasional visit to the driving range.
“I was too busy to play,” said the 27year-old as he racked up an eagle and five birdies as his score was match by Luton-based Paul Simpson who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation.
“This is only my second outing of the season but I drove well and that was the key,” said Senior who proved he’s lost none of his competitive edge on a course where he shot a record 62 in 2005, a mark shared by triple winner David Shacklady, from Mossock Hall.
Starting his round from the 10th, he rolled in three birdies on his way to the turn, lamenting a three-putt bogey from 12 feet at the 16th, before striking a rescue club to the heart of the third green for his eagle then picking up two more shots at the seventh and eighth.
Simpson, 41, who also took an extended break from the game until this year, reeled off seven birdies as Swinton Park’s David Smith, the 2006 winner, grabbed a brace of eagles to sit one off the pace.
DETAILS (Par 71): 65 Joe Senior (Heysham), Paul Simpson (Luton Hoo); 66 David Smith (Swinton Park); 67 Mike Nesbit (Westerhope), Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey), Mike Hollingworth (Denton); 68 David Wilcock (Gathurst), John O’Neill (Huyton & Prescot), Lee Rooke (Vale of Llangollen), Ian Gregory (Bolton), Richard Booth (Hale), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford), John Cheetham (Marriott Worsley Park); 69 Mark Sheppard (Darland), Joseph Feather (Leeds Golf Centre), Jon Cheetham (Gatley), Tom Bolton (Hazel Grove), Chris Crowder (Lee Park), Paul Carmen (Huddersfield), Graham Cox (Davenport), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Trevor Newsham (Heysham).
Monday, 16 August 2010
Full order of merit table
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
The full Northern Order of Merit points table following the Bosden Trophy at Hazel Grove Golf Club (event #21) can be seen below.
Mark Young , Longridge = 775
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 635
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 410
James Robinson , S&A = 355
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 350
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 340
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 315
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 300
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 285
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 255
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 250
Paul Howard , S&A = 250
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 220
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills USA = 180
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
David Peel , Stockport = 175
Marcus Mohr , Bromborough = 170
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 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
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 150
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 140
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Steve Bryan , Bolton Old Links = 125
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 120
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 115
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 115
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
James Newton , Prestbury = 110
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 105
Garry Lacy , Ashon-in-Makerfield = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Liam Ball , Chorley = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 100
Abisher Ruia , Dunham Forest = 100
Lawrence Noot , Enville = 100
Mark Rabone , S&A = 95
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
David Hannis , Blackpool NS = 75
Kevin Hamilton , Didsbury = 75
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 70
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 70
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 70
James Wilson , Formby = 60
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 60
James Bolton , Penwortham = 60
Adam Smith , Accrington = 60
Andrew Gibbins , Bolton Old Links = 60
Simon McSweeney , Ellesmere = 60
James Pennington , Coldene = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 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
David Collis , Blackpool NS = 50
Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 50
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 45
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 45
Barry Barker , Reddish Vale = 45
James Bolton , Formby = 45
Glyn Davies , Astbury = 45
Liam Jeffery , Haigh Hall = 45
Curtis Dean , St Annes Old Links = 40
James Martin , San Roque = 40
Fred Jewsbury , Ladbroke Park = 40
Phil Stanley , Penwortham = 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
James Olivant , Oliva Nova = 40
Matt Denton , Huyton & Prescot = 40
Jordan Jones , Delamere Forest = 40
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Greg McIlroy , S&A = 30
Dean Pickard , Nelson = 30
Jason Sleigh , Shaw Hill = 30
Allan Mole , Worsley = 30
Paul Clarkson , Pleasington = 30
Scott Gowland , Blackpool NS = 30
Will Jones , Oswestry = 30
Andrew Heesom , Clitheroe = 30
Mike McCormack , Moor Hall = 30
Ross Jackson , Bramall Park = 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
Gary Byrne , Clitheroe = 25
Andrew Addison , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
David Jones , Ramsey = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 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
Alex Illidge , Grange Park = 20
Peter Nicholson , Vicars Cross = 15
David Nelson , Northenden = 15
Neil Sadler , Wallasey = 15
Neil Cruikshank , Royal Birkdale = 15
Aiden Hooson , North Manchester = 15
Daniel Creaney , Birchwood = 15
Dean Moseley , Blackpool NS = 15
Ashley Sage , Sandiway = 15
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 15
Ryan Corbett , West Lancs = 15
Mark Richardson , Davenport = 15
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 10
Chris Heslop , Chipping Norton = 10
Andrew Borg , Penwortham = 10
Stephen Helm , Ashton & Lea = 10
Bob Overall , Fulford = 10
Tom Lord , Blackpool NS = 10
Andrew Millray , Windermere = 10
Ian Menzies , Wilmslow = 10
Thomas Cummings , Gt Lever & Farnworth = 10
First for Daniel – but it’s close
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
TWO handicapper Daniel Young came up to scratch to win his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title but he cut in fine as he claimed the Bosden Trophy at Hazel Grove.
The Prestbury player got the verdict on countback after his rounds of 69 and 70, three-under-par in total, were matched by Ashton-in-Makerfield’s Adam Andrews.
The decision rested on the final nine holes which Young covered in 33, minus three, thanks to an eagle at the 262-yard 15th.
He started and finished his first round with a pair of birdies, also marking down a quartet of bogeys. His clubmate James Newton pulled up two shots short in third place.
Lancashire player Andrews, winner of the Calvert Trophy at Ashton & Lea in June, moved fifth in the merit 425 points behind leader Mark Young from Longridge.
SCORES (Par=71): 139 Daniel Young (Prestbury) 69 70, Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 69 70; 141 James Newton (Prestbury) 70 71; 143 Sam Pennington (Coldene) 74 69, Marcus Mohr (Bromborough) 72 71; 145 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury) 77 68, Jordan Jones (Delamere) 73 72; 146 Ross Jackson (Bramall Park) 75 71; 147 Kevin Hamilton (Didsbury) 73 74; 148 Liam Jeffery (Haigh Hall) 75 73, Mark Richardson (Davenport) 75 73, Thomas Cummings (Gt Lever & Farnworth) 74 74.
ORDER OF MERIT: 775pts Mark Young (Longridge); 635 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 410 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 350 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 340 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury); 250 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn), Paul Howard (S&A); 220 Mike Bedford (Prestbury).
The Prestbury player got the verdict on countback after his rounds of 69 and 70, three-under-par in total, were matched by Ashton-in-Makerfield’s Adam Andrews.
The decision rested on the final nine holes which Young covered in 33, minus three, thanks to an eagle at the 262-yard 15th.
He started and finished his first round with a pair of birdies, also marking down a quartet of bogeys. His clubmate James Newton pulled up two shots short in third place.
Lancashire player Andrews, winner of the Calvert Trophy at Ashton & Lea in June, moved fifth in the merit 425 points behind leader Mark Young from Longridge.
SCORES (Par=71): 139 Daniel Young (Prestbury) 69 70, Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 69 70; 141 James Newton (Prestbury) 70 71; 143 Sam Pennington (Coldene) 74 69, Marcus Mohr (Bromborough) 72 71; 145 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury) 77 68, Jordan Jones (Delamere) 73 72; 146 Ross Jackson (Bramall Park) 75 71; 147 Kevin Hamilton (Didsbury) 73 74; 148 Liam Jeffery (Haigh Hall) 75 73, Mark Richardson (Davenport) 75 73, Thomas Cummings (Gt Lever & Farnworth) 74 74.
ORDER OF MERIT: 775pts Mark Young (Longridge); 635 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 410 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 350 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 340 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 255 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury); 250 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn), Paul Howard (S&A); 220 Mike Bedford (Prestbury).
Comrie Golf Club Opens
Labels:
Scotland
We would like to provide details about two events that will be taking place at Comrie Golf Club later this year.On Sunday 22nd August a Mixed Pairs Open will be held. This event is for couples with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). The format is foursomes and the cost is just £12 per couple. There are limited spaces remaining so if you wish to enter please do so asap. An entry-form can be found here.
The following month, on Saturday 18th September, a Gents Individual Open will be played. This competition for men with a handicap of 24 or less and is great value at just £10 per person. The format is individual strokeplay and an entry-form can be found here.
Comrie Golf Club was founded in 1891 and is one of the finest and most picturesque nine hole golf courses in Perthshire. Situated just six miles from Crieff, the course is under a half hour's drive from Gleneagles and one and a half hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.
The greens are always in excellent condition and the club is proud of the quality of the course. Golfers of all abilities will find it a challenging experience to play, and will enjoy the scenic environment in which it is situated. Meanwhile the new clubhouse has been designed to provide modern facilities while retaining the intimate atmosphere of a small country golf club.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
MAGIC MORTIMER LANDS GLENMUIR TITLE AFTER PLAY-OFF
Labels:
PGA North Region
Ireland’s David Mortimer lifted the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at the first attempt after a dramatic final day’s play at The Oxfordshire.
The Fore Ireland pro based at the GUI Academy at Carton House clinched the title on the second extra play-off hole with a 20 foot birdie following a tie with Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady.
Former Irish PGA champion Mortimer, playing in the third last pairing, forced his way to the top of the leaderboard with a four under 68 to set a nine under target with birdies on his final two holes including on the last where a pulled shot got a lucky bounce back on to the green to five feet.
The former Gaelic footballer, who got the golf bug as a teenager playing at Connemara, secured the £10,000 first prize on the ninth hole when Shacklady’s putt from 15 feet lipped out.
“It was a nice way to finish, it was hard luck on Dave he played a good hole but I just managed to sneak one in there,” he said.
“I wasn’t too nervous in the play-off. I enjoyed it and actually hit a couple of good shots.
“It’s my first time playing in the Glenmuir, I always wanted to see what the standard was and to be honest I just holed a few putts at the right time.
“I didn’t play particularly great all week but the golf course wasn’t too punishing with the rough so you can get away with it.”
Shacklady had no complaints and in fact nearly won it in regulation play with a sensational pitch shot that landed 20ft past the pin and span back missing the hole by inches. This was after he’d driven into a bunker on 18 and could only play up to 70 yards from the pin.
“It wasn’t quite enough but I can’t complain about the week, I’ve enjoying it immensely especially the way I’ve played under pressure,” said Shacklady.
“I felt like I was always going to have a good chance of winning. I was watching the leaderboards thinking two pars on the last might do it but David birdied the last which I wasn’t thinking was in the equation so fair play to him for doing that.
“You don’t get a sterner test than four rounds around here against the best players so losing a play-off is no problem – it would have been lovely to win it but so be it.”
In a good day for the Irish, Greenore’s Rob Giles finished in a share of seventh while Donal Gleeson (Old Conna) was joint 10th following a 68.
Overnight leader Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) endured a mixed round including a double bogey on the par four 10th when he found water. He got to eight under and needed a birdie at the last to join the play off but left his putt just short. His 73 earned him third place at eight under par, a stroke ahead of Cherry Burton’s John Wells.
Leaders:
1= 279 -9
David Mortimer (IRE) Fore Ireland 69 70 72 68
David Shacklady (ENG) Mossock Hall 70 68 72 69
3 280 -8
Stuart Little (ENG) Michinhampton 68 70 69 73
4 282 -6
John Wells (ENG) Cherry Burton 71 71 69 71
5= 283 -5
Crue Elliott (ENG) Sandy Lodge 71 71 71 70
Steven Parry (ENG) Steve Parry Golf School 75 68 69 71
7= 284 -4
Craig Corrigan (ENG) Haigh Hall 74 69 74 67
Jon Bevan (ENG) Wessex Golf Centre 71 73 68 72
Robert Giles (ENG) Greenore 73 66 71 74
10= 285 -3
Donal Gleeson (IRE) Old Conna GC 70 73 74 68
James Harris (ENG) Nevill 68 69 77 71
The Fore Ireland pro based at the GUI Academy at Carton House clinched the title on the second extra play-off hole with a 20 foot birdie following a tie with Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady.
Former Irish PGA champion Mortimer, playing in the third last pairing, forced his way to the top of the leaderboard with a four under 68 to set a nine under target with birdies on his final two holes including on the last where a pulled shot got a lucky bounce back on to the green to five feet.
The former Gaelic footballer, who got the golf bug as a teenager playing at Connemara, secured the £10,000 first prize on the ninth hole when Shacklady’s putt from 15 feet lipped out.
“It was a nice way to finish, it was hard luck on Dave he played a good hole but I just managed to sneak one in there,” he said.
“I wasn’t too nervous in the play-off. I enjoyed it and actually hit a couple of good shots.
“It’s my first time playing in the Glenmuir, I always wanted to see what the standard was and to be honest I just holed a few putts at the right time.
“I didn’t play particularly great all week but the golf course wasn’t too punishing with the rough so you can get away with it.”
Shacklady had no complaints and in fact nearly won it in regulation play with a sensational pitch shot that landed 20ft past the pin and span back missing the hole by inches. This was after he’d driven into a bunker on 18 and could only play up to 70 yards from the pin.
“It wasn’t quite enough but I can’t complain about the week, I’ve enjoying it immensely especially the way I’ve played under pressure,” said Shacklady.
“I felt like I was always going to have a good chance of winning. I was watching the leaderboards thinking two pars on the last might do it but David birdied the last which I wasn’t thinking was in the equation so fair play to him for doing that.
“You don’t get a sterner test than four rounds around here against the best players so losing a play-off is no problem – it would have been lovely to win it but so be it.”
In a good day for the Irish, Greenore’s Rob Giles finished in a share of seventh while Donal Gleeson (Old Conna) was joint 10th following a 68.
Overnight leader Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) endured a mixed round including a double bogey on the par four 10th when he found water. He got to eight under and needed a birdie at the last to join the play off but left his putt just short. His 73 earned him third place at eight under par, a stroke ahead of Cherry Burton’s John Wells.
Leaders:
1= 279 -9
David Mortimer (IRE) Fore Ireland 69 70 72 68
David Shacklady (ENG) Mossock Hall 70 68 72 69
3 280 -8
Stuart Little (ENG) Michinhampton 68 70 69 73
4 282 -6
John Wells (ENG) Cherry Burton 71 71 69 71
5= 283 -5
Crue Elliott (ENG) Sandy Lodge 71 71 71 70
Steven Parry (ENG) Steve Parry Golf School 75 68 69 71
7= 284 -4
Craig Corrigan (ENG) Haigh Hall 74 69 74 67
Jon Bevan (ENG) Wessex Golf Centre 71 73 68 72
Robert Giles (ENG) Greenore 73 66 71 74
10= 285 -3
Donal Gleeson (IRE) Old Conna GC 70 73 74 68
James Harris (ENG) Nevill 68 69 77 71
SCOTLAND WINS AFTER LAST-HOLE HORROR FOR BUSBY
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
ZANE Scotland has clinched an incredible victory on the PGA EuroPro Tour after a last-hole horror show from leader James Busby handed him the title.
Scotland had already finished and Busby held a one-shot lead going into the par-five 18th but fired a double bogey seven as Scotland won by one shot.
It completed a remarkable three days at the ABC Solutions UK Championship at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe as the lead repeatedly changed hands before Scotland clinched the £10,000.
Scotland, 28, who hails from Banstead, Surrey, peaked at the right time as his last day score of four-under was the best round of Thursday’s play.
“In golf one of the best parts of our sport is that no one wishes anyone down,” said Scotland, who made the cut at The Open last month. “I’m really happy I won but gutted for James that he didn’t get to finish it off.
“I’ve been in the same position where I’ve messed it up in the last few holes but the next time you get in that scenario you are more determined and think ‘I’m going to win it now’.
“James is a really good player, played great all week so he will get that opportunity to win again and I wish him well.
“This was the first time I’ve won a tournament like that and it was pretty dramatic. I had a nervous wait to see what happened and I knew a total of five-under was a decent effort.
“The victory gives me a bit of confidence coming into the end of the season and I’ll be going to the European Qualifying School soon and the US Tour qualifying as well.
“This was my first EuroPro Tour event since 2007 and I’ve always enjoyed playing them. There is always a great atmosphere, everyone is friendly, it’s well-run and it has a nice feel as you know it’s full of the future stars.”
At the start of the last day three men – Ian Keenan, James Heath and Tim Dykes – shared the lead on five-under but each of them drifted off the pace.
A double bogey on the 14th ended Dykes’ hopes, while Heath fell out of contention with five dropped shots in a period of six holes.
Keenan, who was hoping to move closer to a place on the Challenge Tour, had a disappointing day as bogeys at the second, sixth, 12th and 15th left him in tied 15th.
Adam Frayne (St Mellion) and Australian Scott Arnold (NSW Golf Club) finished in tied third on three-under.
A strong final round of three-under from Lawrence Dodd catapulted him into tied fifth, where he was one of ten golfers to finish on two-under.
Craig Lee and Ian Keenan, second and third on the PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit before this tournament, were hoping to close in on current money leader Daniel Gaunt.
Both men ended on one-under in tied 15th position but would have been hoping to finish higher up the leaderboard.
To see full results, go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Scotland had already finished and Busby held a one-shot lead going into the par-five 18th but fired a double bogey seven as Scotland won by one shot.
It completed a remarkable three days at the ABC Solutions UK Championship at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe as the lead repeatedly changed hands before Scotland clinched the £10,000.
Scotland, 28, who hails from Banstead, Surrey, peaked at the right time as his last day score of four-under was the best round of Thursday’s play.
“In golf one of the best parts of our sport is that no one wishes anyone down,” said Scotland, who made the cut at The Open last month. “I’m really happy I won but gutted for James that he didn’t get to finish it off.
“I’ve been in the same position where I’ve messed it up in the last few holes but the next time you get in that scenario you are more determined and think ‘I’m going to win it now’.
“James is a really good player, played great all week so he will get that opportunity to win again and I wish him well.
“This was the first time I’ve won a tournament like that and it was pretty dramatic. I had a nervous wait to see what happened and I knew a total of five-under was a decent effort.
“The victory gives me a bit of confidence coming into the end of the season and I’ll be going to the European Qualifying School soon and the US Tour qualifying as well.
“This was my first EuroPro Tour event since 2007 and I’ve always enjoyed playing them. There is always a great atmosphere, everyone is friendly, it’s well-run and it has a nice feel as you know it’s full of the future stars.”
At the start of the last day three men – Ian Keenan, James Heath and Tim Dykes – shared the lead on five-under but each of them drifted off the pace.
A double bogey on the 14th ended Dykes’ hopes, while Heath fell out of contention with five dropped shots in a period of six holes.
Keenan, who was hoping to move closer to a place on the Challenge Tour, had a disappointing day as bogeys at the second, sixth, 12th and 15th left him in tied 15th.
Adam Frayne (St Mellion) and Australian Scott Arnold (NSW Golf Club) finished in tied third on three-under.
A strong final round of three-under from Lawrence Dodd catapulted him into tied fifth, where he was one of ten golfers to finish on two-under.
Craig Lee and Ian Keenan, second and third on the PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit before this tournament, were hoping to close in on current money leader Daniel Gaunt.
Both men ended on one-under in tied 15th position but would have been hoping to finish higher up the leaderboard.
To see full results, go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
SOAKED SHACKLADY SEES SPIRITS SOAR IN THE RAIN
Labels:
PGA North Region
NOT even getting caught in a torrential downpour on the last hole could dampen the spirits of David Shacklady as he stayed in the hunt for the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.
The Mossock Hall settled for a level par 72 to sit three shots of the pace in a share of second place behind leader Stuart Little who is nine under for the tournament.
Shacklady dropped a shot at the second but hit back with birdies on six, seven, 10 and 14. Further bogeys at eight, 15 and 18 cancelled those out but the Ormskirk-based player is revelling in the experience of challenging for the £90,000 event which is also supported by Peugeot and MPI Financial Services.
"I'm loving it, 72-hole golf on a tough golf course against the best players we've got so if you can't enjoy that you might as well give up. I'm thrilled to be in the mix," he said.
"I hit it in the water on 11 again, twice off the tee, but each time I've made par which is pleasing and gives you momentum."
Shacklady, out in the last group of the day, bogeyed the last after the heavens opened and his approach to the uphill 18th pitched into the bunker.
"It just came out like a rocket," he said. "I hit a good bunker shot but missed it from five feet , it was never on line to be fair but I just wanted to get off, it was hammering down with rain.
"Five minutes earlier from where I was I would have been thinking about three. That's just the way it goes.
"Overall, I've saved a few, made a few birdies, and I'm still tied second. You can get it going around here and I'm rolling the ball lovely. I just need to may be hit a few closer."
Leaders:
1 207 -9
Stuart Little (ENG) Michinhampton New GC 68 70 69
2= 210 -6
Robert Giles (ENG) Greenore 73 66 71
David Shacklady (ENG) Mossock Hall 70 68 72
4= 211 -5
John Wells (ENG) Cherry Burton 71 71 69
David Mortimer (IRE) Fore Ireland 69 70 72
6= 212 -4
Jon Bevan (ENG) Wessex Golf Centre 71 73 68
Steven Parry (ENG) Steve Parry Golf School 75 68 69
8= 213 -3
Crue Elliott (ENG) Sandy Lodge 71 71 71
Richard Adams (ENG) South Winchester 71 70 72
John Kelly (IRE) St.Margaret's G&CC 70 71 72
Daniel Greenwood (ENG) Forest Pines 68 70 75
The Mossock Hall settled for a level par 72 to sit three shots of the pace in a share of second place behind leader Stuart Little who is nine under for the tournament.
Shacklady dropped a shot at the second but hit back with birdies on six, seven, 10 and 14. Further bogeys at eight, 15 and 18 cancelled those out but the Ormskirk-based player is revelling in the experience of challenging for the £90,000 event which is also supported by Peugeot and MPI Financial Services.
"I'm loving it, 72-hole golf on a tough golf course against the best players we've got so if you can't enjoy that you might as well give up. I'm thrilled to be in the mix," he said.
"I hit it in the water on 11 again, twice off the tee, but each time I've made par which is pleasing and gives you momentum."
Shacklady, out in the last group of the day, bogeyed the last after the heavens opened and his approach to the uphill 18th pitched into the bunker.
"It just came out like a rocket," he said. "I hit a good bunker shot but missed it from five feet , it was never on line to be fair but I just wanted to get off, it was hammering down with rain.
"Five minutes earlier from where I was I would have been thinking about three. That's just the way it goes.
"Overall, I've saved a few, made a few birdies, and I'm still tied second. You can get it going around here and I'm rolling the ball lovely. I just need to may be hit a few closer."
Leaders:
1 207 -9
Stuart Little (ENG) Michinhampton New GC 68 70 69
2= 210 -6
Robert Giles (ENG) Greenore 73 66 71
David Shacklady (ENG) Mossock Hall 70 68 72
4= 211 -5
John Wells (ENG) Cherry Burton 71 71 69
David Mortimer (IRE) Fore Ireland 69 70 72
6= 212 -4
Jon Bevan (ENG) Wessex Golf Centre 71 73 68
Steven Parry (ENG) Steve Parry Golf School 75 68 69
8= 213 -3
Crue Elliott (ENG) Sandy Lodge 71 71 71
Richard Adams (ENG) South Winchester 71 70 72
John Kelly (IRE) St.Margaret's G&CC 70 71 72
Daniel Greenwood (ENG) Forest Pines 68 70 75
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
NO PROBLEM FOR SHACKLADY AT GLENMUIR
Labels:
PGA North Region
It was a case of Houston we don't have a problem for David Shacklady as he fired a 68 to catapult himself up the leaderboard at the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.
Shacklady's wife and three children are holidaying in Houston, Texas, and have been eagerly tracking his exploits with live-scoring from the £90,000 event on www.pga.info
The Mossock Hall pro served up another solid display at The Oxfordshire with some piercingly accurately long-iron play in a second round that included five birdies.
It leaves him in a share of second place with former European Tour player Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) and Dan Greenwood (Forest Pines) one stroke behind leader Jamie Harris (Nevill Golf Club) at seven under.
Shacklady was one of a number of North Region pros forcing themselves into contention in the flagship event including Houghwood's Barry Taylor who reeled off eight birdies in his round of 69 to sit three strokes off the top.
Garstang's Will Barnes is also at four under for the championship which is supported by Peugeot and MPI Financial Services.
Meanwhile Shacklady insists he's going to stick to his game plan over the long and testing Oxfordshire course.
"I made my mind up when I came here on Monday to play away from trouble because the fairways are generous and tempt you to cut corners," he said.
"That has been the key and also that I've only had two bogeys in 36 holes.
"I'm playing well. It's tempting to try and cut corners to give yourself less distance in but to be honest I'm hitting it that well that I'm not fussed at hitting three and four irons in if I have too.
"There are holes where you can take a chance but I haven't taken that route."
Shacklady, starting on the 10th hole, grabbed his first birdie on 14 and added further gains on the first, third, fifth and sixth holes.
His shot of the day came after his only bogey of the day - the second hole.
"I had 212-yards into the third green and hit a 3-iron to four feet for a birdie to cancel out the bogey, ironically after another good shot when I hit just too much."
Shacklady's wife and three children are holidaying in Houston, Texas, and have been eagerly tracking his exploits with live-scoring from the £90,000 event on www.pga.info
The Mossock Hall pro served up another solid display at The Oxfordshire with some piercingly accurately long-iron play in a second round that included five birdies.
It leaves him in a share of second place with former European Tour player Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) and Dan Greenwood (Forest Pines) one stroke behind leader Jamie Harris (Nevill Golf Club) at seven under.
Shacklady was one of a number of North Region pros forcing themselves into contention in the flagship event including Houghwood's Barry Taylor who reeled off eight birdies in his round of 69 to sit three strokes off the top.
Garstang's Will Barnes is also at four under for the championship which is supported by Peugeot and MPI Financial Services.
Meanwhile Shacklady insists he's going to stick to his game plan over the long and testing Oxfordshire course.
"I made my mind up when I came here on Monday to play away from trouble because the fairways are generous and tempt you to cut corners," he said.
"That has been the key and also that I've only had two bogeys in 36 holes.
"I'm playing well. It's tempting to try and cut corners to give yourself less distance in but to be honest I'm hitting it that well that I'm not fussed at hitting three and four irons in if I have too.
"There are holes where you can take a chance but I haven't taken that route."
Shacklady, starting on the 10th hole, grabbed his first birdie on 14 and added further gains on the first, third, fifth and sixth holes.
His shot of the day came after his only bogey of the day - the second hole.
"I had 212-yards into the third green and hit a 3-iron to four feet for a birdie to cancel out the bogey, ironically after another good shot when I hit just too much."
KEENAN TAKES STEP CLOSER TO CHALLENGE TOUR
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
IAN KEENAN has moved a step closer to playing on the Challenge Tour next season after impressing in the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event.
The top six players on the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit at the end of the campaign advance to the Challenge Tour and one step away from joining golf’s elite on the European Tour.
Before the ABC Solutions UK Championship, which is being staged at the Wychwood Park Golf Club in Crewe, Keenan was third in the money list.
But his position could improve as he shares the lead going into the last day of the event where the overall champion will pocket £10,000.
Keenan (Royal Liverpool) started Wednesday’s play two shots off first place but a round of three-under moved him to a share of lead.
He could have had an outright lead had he not bogeyed the second, 12th and 16th holes.
James Heath is looking for his second top ten finish of the season and joins Keenan on five-under, although he also dropped three shots in his second round.
Day one leader Tim Dykes is still in contention for the top prize but will be hoping bogeys at the fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth do not prove costly.
Nick McCarthy was a one-time leader of the event as he was on five-under after 14 holes of his opening round on Tuesday.
However, all of his good work was ruined with a disastrous 15th when he shot a nine at the par-four hole to rapidly fall down the leaderboard.
McCarthy, who won last week in Merseyside, shot an even par round of 72 today and is tied 28th, but he would have been on the same score as Keenan and Heath if he had shot a par four instead of a nine yesterday.
Order of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt is not in EuroPro Tour action this week, while second placed Craig Lee is tied eighth, two shots behind Keenan and Heath.
The top players plus ties have qualified for the final round which takes place on Thursday.
To see full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
The top six players on the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit at the end of the campaign advance to the Challenge Tour and one step away from joining golf’s elite on the European Tour.
Before the ABC Solutions UK Championship, which is being staged at the Wychwood Park Golf Club in Crewe, Keenan was third in the money list.
But his position could improve as he shares the lead going into the last day of the event where the overall champion will pocket £10,000.
Keenan (Royal Liverpool) started Wednesday’s play two shots off first place but a round of three-under moved him to a share of lead.
He could have had an outright lead had he not bogeyed the second, 12th and 16th holes.
James Heath is looking for his second top ten finish of the season and joins Keenan on five-under, although he also dropped three shots in his second round.
Day one leader Tim Dykes is still in contention for the top prize but will be hoping bogeys at the fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth do not prove costly.
Nick McCarthy was a one-time leader of the event as he was on five-under after 14 holes of his opening round on Tuesday.
However, all of his good work was ruined with a disastrous 15th when he shot a nine at the par-four hole to rapidly fall down the leaderboard.
McCarthy, who won last week in Merseyside, shot an even par round of 72 today and is tied 28th, but he would have been on the same score as Keenan and Heath if he had shot a par four instead of a nine yesterday.
Order of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt is not in EuroPro Tour action this week, while second placed Craig Lee is tied eighth, two shots behind Keenan and Heath.
The top players plus ties have qualified for the final round which takes place on Thursday.
To see full results, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Smith Steps Up Challenge
Labels:
Gtour
The stunning De Vere Wychood Park played host to the latest Gtour event on Saturday 7 August.
A pretty much full field battled through every weather condition possible and also the course which was set up ready to host the EuroPro tour this week.
For the second event running the Gtour had a Maiden winner as Adam Smith (7) clinched the title by one point over Anthony Renshaw (11).
Smith coming in with 37 points said consistency and patience was the key to succeeding around such a difficult course.
“In terms of scoring you have to put the ball in the right areas and certainly stay away from trouble. The rough was high out there and your ball was just lost straight away.
“I said before the event that course management was essential but I’m also glad that I holed a few putts which I haven’t been doing lately.”
In what was a tight day in terms of scoring, the players had nothing but praise for the course.
“It’s always a good test and you need some luck out there” said Gtour veteran Ian Roberts. “The weather played a big part I think today, but you know if one or two more putts fell, I could have been up there, but it’s a great course.”
Gary Walker (4) had mixed fortunes but finished well with two birdies:
“I struggled with my game on the front nine, but to come in with 28 points having scored nine on the front is very pleasing. I had a great day though, great course and great company which sums up the Gtour for me.”
Shane Davies (5) came in third place with 35 points to reduce the gap at the top of the Order of Merit to just five points.
In what is sure to be an exciting finish, Andrew Lee still sits at the top with 16125 points, but with four events remaining, it is certain to go down to the last event just like last season, where Davies eventually came out champion.
The tour now moves to De Vere Wokefield Park, Berkshire for the second of its August events on Saturday 28 and the 3rd Gtour Major with the Golfbreaks.com Cup.
For further information or to join the tour go to www.gtour.co.uk
A pretty much full field battled through every weather condition possible and also the course which was set up ready to host the EuroPro tour this week.
For the second event running the Gtour had a Maiden winner as Adam Smith (7) clinched the title by one point over Anthony Renshaw (11).
Smith coming in with 37 points said consistency and patience was the key to succeeding around such a difficult course.
“In terms of scoring you have to put the ball in the right areas and certainly stay away from trouble. The rough was high out there and your ball was just lost straight away.
“I said before the event that course management was essential but I’m also glad that I holed a few putts which I haven’t been doing lately.”
In what was a tight day in terms of scoring, the players had nothing but praise for the course.
“It’s always a good test and you need some luck out there” said Gtour veteran Ian Roberts. “The weather played a big part I think today, but you know if one or two more putts fell, I could have been up there, but it’s a great course.”
Gary Walker (4) had mixed fortunes but finished well with two birdies:
“I struggled with my game on the front nine, but to come in with 28 points having scored nine on the front is very pleasing. I had a great day though, great course and great company which sums up the Gtour for me.”
Shane Davies (5) came in third place with 35 points to reduce the gap at the top of the Order of Merit to just five points.
In what is sure to be an exciting finish, Andrew Lee still sits at the top with 16125 points, but with four events remaining, it is certain to go down to the last event just like last season, where Davies eventually came out champion.
The tour now moves to De Vere Wokefield Park, Berkshire for the second of its August events on Saturday 28 and the 3rd Gtour Major with the Golfbreaks.com Cup.
For further information or to join the tour go to www.gtour.co.uk
Ian’s a gem in Astbury Jewel
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
LANCASHIRE player Ian Kenwright put on a sparkling performance to win the Astbury Jewel and move into seventh place in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.
The Haydock Park youngster opened with a 69 then stepped up a gear in the second round which he started by birdying the first three holes on his way to a 66 and a seven-under-par total.
Steve Bryan, from Bolton Old Links, was two back and the same margin in front of Ellesmere’s Steve Hindle.
Meanwhile, Lancashire County champion Sean Towndrow, winner of the Caldy Quart last month, leapfrogged his Southport & Ainsdale clubmate James Robinson into third spot in the merit, 365 points adrift of leader Mark Young, from Longridge.
SCORES (Par=71): 135 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 69 66; 137 Steve Bryan (Bolton Old Links) 68 69; 139 Steve Hindle (Ellesmere) 69 70; 140 Sean Towndrow (S&A) 72 68, Dominic Barnes (Caldy) 69 71; 142 Glyn Davies (Astbury) 75 67; 143 Craig Bolton (Penwortham) 73 70, Michael McCormack (Moor Hall) 71 72, James Newton (Prestbury) 68 75; 144 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 74 70, Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 73 71, Ian Menzies (Wilmslow) 67 77.
ORDER OF MERIT: 775pts Mark Young (Longridge); 635 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 410 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 340 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 250 Steve McGlynn (hBlackburn), Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield), Paul Howard (S&A).
The Haydock Park youngster opened with a 69 then stepped up a gear in the second round which he started by birdying the first three holes on his way to a 66 and a seven-under-par total.
Steve Bryan, from Bolton Old Links, was two back and the same margin in front of Ellesmere’s Steve Hindle.
Meanwhile, Lancashire County champion Sean Towndrow, winner of the Caldy Quart last month, leapfrogged his Southport & Ainsdale clubmate James Robinson into third spot in the merit, 365 points adrift of leader Mark Young, from Longridge.
SCORES (Par=71): 135 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 69 66; 137 Steve Bryan (Bolton Old Links) 68 69; 139 Steve Hindle (Ellesmere) 69 70; 140 Sean Towndrow (S&A) 72 68, Dominic Barnes (Caldy) 69 71; 142 Glyn Davies (Astbury) 75 67; 143 Craig Bolton (Penwortham) 73 70, Michael McCormack (Moor Hall) 71 72, James Newton (Prestbury) 68 75; 144 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield) 74 70, Mike Bedford (Prestbury) 73 71, Ian Menzies (Wilmslow) 67 77.
ORDER OF MERIT: 775pts Mark Young (Longridge); 635 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 410 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 340 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 250 Steve McGlynn (hBlackburn), Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield), Paul Howard (S&A).
Jones the boy at Mottram
Labels:
PGA North Region
MIKE Jones won the inaugural Skycaddie PGA North Region Assistants’ Championship at De Vere Mottram Hall just 18 months into his training as professional.
But the Chester-based player revealed that after twice failing to pass the test at European Tour School he’s unlikely to try to make it third time lucky this autumn.
“I don’t think my game is good enough,” he said modestly after firing 68 and 70 for a four-under-par total which left him three shots ahead of seasoned campaigner and, ironically, former tour player Grant Hamerton.
Jones, who as an amateur won the Cheshire County Matchplay Championship in 2005, added that he wanted to qualify as a PGA professional before embarking on a full-time playing career. “That’s my priority,” he added.
The De Vere Carden Park trainee described his eagle at the 18th in his first round as the highlight of the day, reaching the green with a driver and six iron then boxing a 20-foot putt.
Brookdale assistant Hamerton posted 72 and 69 to finish two in front of third place Alex Wrigley, who is unattached.
LEADING SCORES (Par 72): 138 Mike Jones (De Vere Carden Park) 68 70; 141 Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 72 69; 143 Alex Wrigley (unatt) 71 72.
But the Chester-based player revealed that after twice failing to pass the test at European Tour School he’s unlikely to try to make it third time lucky this autumn.
“I don’t think my game is good enough,” he said modestly after firing 68 and 70 for a four-under-par total which left him three shots ahead of seasoned campaigner and, ironically, former tour player Grant Hamerton.
Jones, who as an amateur won the Cheshire County Matchplay Championship in 2005, added that he wanted to qualify as a PGA professional before embarking on a full-time playing career. “That’s my priority,” he added.
The De Vere Carden Park trainee described his eagle at the 18th in his first round as the highlight of the day, reaching the green with a driver and six iron then boxing a 20-foot putt.
Brookdale assistant Hamerton posted 72 and 69 to finish two in front of third place Alex Wrigley, who is unattached.
LEADING SCORES (Par 72): 138 Mike Jones (De Vere Carden Park) 68 70; 141 Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 72 69; 143 Alex Wrigley (unatt) 71 72.
Eales has a 10-year itch
Labels:
PGA North Region
PAUL Eales has an old score to settle in the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore next week (Aug 16-17) – he’s been waiting 10 years to achieve it!
The Challenge Tour player lost out to Ged Furey in 2000 in the first event sponsored by the local stockbrokers and nothing would please him more than to claim the title at the end of the decade.
But he will need no reminding that his task will be much tougher now that the 36-hole tournament has been upgraded from county to full PGA North Region status for the first time.
A 144-strong field pursuing a £10,000 prize-fund includes seven former winners with Barry Taylor, from St Helens club Houghwood, looking for a third victory after his success last year and in 2007.
Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady pulled off a hat-trick of victories from 2003 and a strong performance in last week’s Spirotech Manchester Open suggests he’s ready to edge closer to the record five established by Pleasington professional Furey before his playing career was brough to an untimely end.
This is the fifth of eight Order of Merit events and a win for second-placed Shacklady could close the gap or even help him to overtake leader Steve Parry.
The Bolton man, who runs his own golf school at Hart Common, is158 points ahead and is also on a hot run following his victory in last month’s Pokerstars Manx Classic.
Other players to watch are Simon Robinson from North East club Wynyard who impressed in the Manchester Open; PGA Cup star Will Barnes, who works with Eales at his Garstang academy; Vale Royal Abbey assistant Paul Grannell, winner of the inaugural Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park, and big-hitting Alex Belt, from Bridlington.
The 36-hole tournament will be followed by a pro-am.
The Challenge Tour player lost out to Ged Furey in 2000 in the first event sponsored by the local stockbrokers and nothing would please him more than to claim the title at the end of the decade.
But he will need no reminding that his task will be much tougher now that the 36-hole tournament has been upgraded from county to full PGA North Region status for the first time.
A 144-strong field pursuing a £10,000 prize-fund includes seven former winners with Barry Taylor, from St Helens club Houghwood, looking for a third victory after his success last year and in 2007.
Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady pulled off a hat-trick of victories from 2003 and a strong performance in last week’s Spirotech Manchester Open suggests he’s ready to edge closer to the record five established by Pleasington professional Furey before his playing career was brough to an untimely end.
This is the fifth of eight Order of Merit events and a win for second-placed Shacklady could close the gap or even help him to overtake leader Steve Parry.
The Bolton man, who runs his own golf school at Hart Common, is158 points ahead and is also on a hot run following his victory in last month’s Pokerstars Manx Classic.
Other players to watch are Simon Robinson from North East club Wynyard who impressed in the Manchester Open; PGA Cup star Will Barnes, who works with Eales at his Garstang academy; Vale Royal Abbey assistant Paul Grannell, winner of the inaugural Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park, and big-hitting Alex Belt, from Bridlington.
The 36-hole tournament will be followed by a pro-am.
DYKES WELL-PLACED ON DAY ONE IN CREWE
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
WELSHMAN Tim Dykes is the early clubhouse leader in the latest event in the PGA EuroPro Tour season.
The ABC Solutions UK Championship is taking place at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe and features some of the best young British golfers.
Dykes, 30, has played on the European Tour and for the last three years been a regular on the Challenge Tour.
But he made a fine start in the tenth EuroPro Tour competition of 2010 after shooting an opening round score of 68, four under par.
He would have shot a better score but was left rueing dropped shots at both the 11th and 15th.
This is the fourth PGA EuroPro Tour event Dykes has played in this year and he has made the cut at the previous three, although his best finish was only tied 30th at Burhill in Surrey.
Nick McCarthy triumphed last week at Formby Hall in Merseyside and is well-placed for back-to-back victories following birdies at the fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth holes.
Elsewhere, an eagle on the par-five first helped Richard Edginton (Effingham Golf Club) to an opening day score of three-under.
Steve Uzzell (Hornseas Golf Club) was the joint leader after day one at the last event and he has made a bright start here as he is also on three-under.
The winner of this three-day tournament, which concludes on Thursday, will collect £10,000 and competition will be fierce as the golfers step up their bids for places on the Challenge Tour.
To do that, players will need to be in the top six of the PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit after the Tour Championships in October.
Scotsman Craig Lee is currently second in the money list and he made a bright start with a score of two-under.
James Hepworth and Stuart Archibald, sixth and eighth respectively on the Order of Merit, both need strong days on Wednesday if they are to make the cut after shooting one-over on Tuesday.
For full scores, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
The ABC Solutions UK Championship is taking place at De Vere Wychwood Park in Crewe and features some of the best young British golfers.
Dykes, 30, has played on the European Tour and for the last three years been a regular on the Challenge Tour.
But he made a fine start in the tenth EuroPro Tour competition of 2010 after shooting an opening round score of 68, four under par.
He would have shot a better score but was left rueing dropped shots at both the 11th and 15th.
This is the fourth PGA EuroPro Tour event Dykes has played in this year and he has made the cut at the previous three, although his best finish was only tied 30th at Burhill in Surrey.
Nick McCarthy triumphed last week at Formby Hall in Merseyside and is well-placed for back-to-back victories following birdies at the fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth holes.
Elsewhere, an eagle on the par-five first helped Richard Edginton (Effingham Golf Club) to an opening day score of three-under.
Steve Uzzell (Hornseas Golf Club) was the joint leader after day one at the last event and he has made a bright start here as he is also on three-under.
The winner of this three-day tournament, which concludes on Thursday, will collect £10,000 and competition will be fierce as the golfers step up their bids for places on the Challenge Tour.
To do that, players will need to be in the top six of the PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit after the Tour Championships in October.
Scotsman Craig Lee is currently second in the money list and he made a bright start with a score of two-under.
James Hepworth and Stuart Archibald, sixth and eighth respectively on the Order of Merit, both need strong days on Wednesday if they are to make the cut after shooting one-over on Tuesday.
For full scores, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Shacklady Survives Late Scare
Labels:
PGA North Region
DAVID Shacklady survived a potential card wrecker to card a two-under-par 70 in the first round of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at The Oxfordshire.
The Mossock Hall professional, a prolific winner on the regional circuit, is gunning for his first national PGA title having bagged two top 10 finishes in the flagship Glenmuir event which is also supported by MPI Financial Services and Peugeot.
But Shacklady skirted with danger at the 588-yard par five 17th after finding a bunker with his drive which meant he could only bump a 5-iron down the fairway.
It left him with a 2-iron approach which he got to 35ft before promptly holing out down a slope to escape with a birdie.
"I pushed my tee shot into a bunker on 17 which was a nightmare because it is such a difficult hole. I was left with a 35footer down the slope. I was thinking I'd be lucky to get away with six, it was a potential disaster so I was pleased that it turned into a four," he said.
Shacklady held his nerve to par the last to sit four shots adrift of clubhouse leaders Jamie Harris (Nevill Golf Club), Stuart Little (Minchinhampton), Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) and Dan Greenwood (Forest Pines) who all fired 68s.
"Overall I'm happy with my score, it's a long course for me but they are fairly generous greens if you put the ball in the right places on the fairway."
Shacklady has shrugged off a slow start to the season and is running into form with 11th place finishes in the Welsh Open and English PGA Professional Championships.
He is also lying second in the PGA North Region Order of Merit. "I'm starting to put a few scores together, it's going the right way," he added.
PGA Cup duo Barry Taylor (Houghwood) and Andrew Barnett (North Wales Driving Range) both shot 71s. The 72-hole event, which carries a £90,000 prize fund, concludes on Friday with a halfway cut of the top 50 and ties.
The Mossock Hall professional, a prolific winner on the regional circuit, is gunning for his first national PGA title having bagged two top 10 finishes in the flagship Glenmuir event which is also supported by MPI Financial Services and Peugeot.
But Shacklady skirted with danger at the 588-yard par five 17th after finding a bunker with his drive which meant he could only bump a 5-iron down the fairway.
It left him with a 2-iron approach which he got to 35ft before promptly holing out down a slope to escape with a birdie.
"I pushed my tee shot into a bunker on 17 which was a nightmare because it is such a difficult hole. I was left with a 35footer down the slope. I was thinking I'd be lucky to get away with six, it was a potential disaster so I was pleased that it turned into a four," he said.
Shacklady held his nerve to par the last to sit four shots adrift of clubhouse leaders Jamie Harris (Nevill Golf Club), Stuart Little (Minchinhampton), Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) and Dan Greenwood (Forest Pines) who all fired 68s.
"Overall I'm happy with my score, it's a long course for me but they are fairly generous greens if you put the ball in the right places on the fairway."
Shacklady has shrugged off a slow start to the season and is running into form with 11th place finishes in the Welsh Open and English PGA Professional Championships.
He is also lying second in the PGA North Region Order of Merit. "I'm starting to put a few scores together, it's going the right way," he added.
PGA Cup duo Barry Taylor (Houghwood) and Andrew Barnett (North Wales Driving Range) both shot 71s. The 72-hole event, which carries a £90,000 prize fund, concludes on Friday with a halfway cut of the top 50 and ties.
Monday, 9 August 2010
Latest Northern Order of Merit Table
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
Name Club Points
Mark Young , Longridge = 775
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 635
James Robinson , S&A = 355
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 350
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 320
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 315
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 250
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 250
Paul Howard , S&A = 250
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 210
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 205
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills USA = 180
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
David Peel , Stockport = 175
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 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
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 150
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 150
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 135
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Marcus Mohr , Hawarden = 120
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 120
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 115
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 105
Garry Lacy , Ashon-in-Makerfield = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 100
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Liam Ball , Chorley = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 100
Abisher Ruia , Dunham Forest = 100
Lawrence Noot , Enville = 100
Mark Rabone , S&A = 95
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
David Hannis , Blackpool NS = 75
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 70
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 70
James Wilson , Formby = 60
Michael Hearn , Chorley = 60
James Bolton , Penwortham = 60
Adam Smith , Accrington = 60
Andrew Gibbins , Bolton Old Links = 60
Simon McSweeney , Ellesmere = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 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
Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 50
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 45
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 45
Barry Barker , Reddish Vale = 45
James Bolton , Formby = 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
James Olivant , Oliva Nova = 40
Matt Denton , Huyton & Prescot = 40
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 30
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Greg McIlroy , S&A = 30
Dean Pickard , Nelson = 30
Jason Sleigh , Shaw Hill = 30
Allan Mole , Worsley = 30
Paul Clarkson , Pleasington = 30
Scott Gowland , Blackpool NS = 30
Will Jones , Oswestry = 30
Andrew Heesom , Clitheroe = 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 Jeffery , Haigh Hall = 25
Steve Bryan , Bolton Old Links = 25
Gary Byrne , Clitheroe = 25
Andrew Addison , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 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
Alex Illidge , Grange Park = 20
Peter Nicholson , Vicars Cross = 15
David Nelson , Northenden = 15
Neil Sadler , Wallasey = 15
Neil Cruikshank , Royal Birkdale = 15
Aiden Hooson , North Manchester = 15
Daniel Creaney , Birchwood = 15
Dean Moseley , Blackpool NS = 15
Ashley Sage , Sandiway = 15
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 15
Ryan Corbett , West Lancs = 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
Andrew Millray , Windermere = 10
Young rewrites the record book – again!
Labels:
Northern Order of Merit
MARK Young chalked up his second course record in eight days when he fired a first round seven-under-par 65 on his way to winning the Grange Park Rose Bowl.
The Longridge man clipped a stroke off the previous mark set in the same event last year by his Lancashire team-mate Paul McFerran from Childwall.
And Young, who set a new low of 64 in the Wilmslow Crow at the end of last month, extended his lead in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit to 140 points.
He made a blistering start with four birdies in his first five holes and added another quartet in the home stretch, picking up shots at three of the par fives.
He eagled the 13th in a second round 68 to which he added another four birdies but was chased all the way to the finishing line by Southport & Ainsdale’s Paul Howard who posted 69 and 66.
SCORES (Par=72): 133 Mark Young (Longridge) 65 68; 135 Paul Howard (S&A) 69 66; 139 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 68 71;140 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 72 68; 141 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 70 71; 142 Mark Rabone (S&A) 72 70, Matt Denton (Huyton & Prescot) 67 75; 143 Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 70 73, Andrew Addison (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 70 73; 144 Alex Illidge (Grange Park) 72 72; 146 Ryan Corbett (West Lancs) 75 71; 147 Andrew Millray (Windermere) 74 73.
ORDER OF MERIT: 775 Mark Young (Longridge); 635 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 350 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 320 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 250 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn), Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield, Paul Howard (S&A).
The Longridge man clipped a stroke off the previous mark set in the same event last year by his Lancashire team-mate Paul McFerran from Childwall.
And Young, who set a new low of 64 in the Wilmslow Crow at the end of last month, extended his lead in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit to 140 points.
He made a blistering start with four birdies in his first five holes and added another quartet in the home stretch, picking up shots at three of the par fives.
He eagled the 13th in a second round 68 to which he added another four birdies but was chased all the way to the finishing line by Southport & Ainsdale’s Paul Howard who posted 69 and 66.
SCORES (Par=72): 133 Mark Young (Longridge) 65 68; 135 Paul Howard (S&A) 69 66; 139 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 68 71;140 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 72 68; 141 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 70 71; 142 Mark Rabone (S&A) 72 70, Matt Denton (Huyton & Prescot) 67 75; 143 Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 70 73, Andrew Addison (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 70 73; 144 Alex Illidge (Grange Park) 72 72; 146 Ryan Corbett (West Lancs) 75 71; 147 Andrew Millray (Windermere) 74 73.
ORDER OF MERIT: 775 Mark Young (Longridge); 635 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 355 James Robinson (S&A); 350 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 320 Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 315 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 250 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn), Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield, Paul Howard (S&A).
Friday, 6 August 2010
McCARTHY CLAIMS FIRST EVER EUROPRO TOUR VICTORY
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
NICK McCarthy has claimed his first victory on the PGA EuroPro Tour after edging out Scott Henry in the second extra hole of a play-off.
McCarthy (Moortown) and Henry (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) had both finished on ten-under after three rounds at the Formby Hall Classic in Merseyside.
But McCarthy triumphed to collect the £10,000 winner’s prize and move a step closer to advancing to the Challenge Tour.
“I’m a bit shocked and don’t know what to do but it just feels fantastic,” said 22-year-old McCarthy.
“I had a game plan for the week, stuck to it and that got me through.
“I came up here a few days before the tournament and had played Formby Hall last year so knew there were holes when you could attack and holes you had to settle for par.
“At the beginning of the year I had a target to be in the top five and this has just boosted me and brought me closer.
“There are four tournaments left and then the Tour Championships so I’m hoping for a good finish to the season.
“I’ve won £13,000 from the Tour so far this year and if I can get it to £20,000 that should be enough.”
Leeds-based McCarthy has played on the Tour since April 2009 and hopes to follow in the footsteps of former members Louis Oosthuizen and Ross Fisher, who recently won the Open and the Irish Open respectively.
McCarthy’s previous best finish came in August 2009 when he came tied fourth at Wychwood Park in Cheshire, although he had threatened to beat that earlier this campaign.
He had led going into the final day at Longhirst Hall, Northumberland but eventually finished sixth before he finished in the same position a week later at Bovey Castle, Devon.
“It makes a big difference moving from amateur golf to the EuroPro Tour and on the Tour you learn how to shoot low numbers,” added McCarthy.
“A couple of times in the past I have been in contention but not been able to finish it off.
“But winning this gives me a lot of confidence and then you look at the big names who have played on the Tour. You think if they can do it then why can’t I?”
Henry picks up £5,000 for his second place, while Order of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt has extended his lead at the top of the money list after he came third.
Matt Allen finished fourth with four players – Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale), Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool), Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) and Steve Uzzell (Hornsea GC) - all in tied fifth place.
To see the full final result, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
McCarthy (Moortown) and Henry (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) had both finished on ten-under after three rounds at the Formby Hall Classic in Merseyside.
But McCarthy triumphed to collect the £10,000 winner’s prize and move a step closer to advancing to the Challenge Tour.
“I’m a bit shocked and don’t know what to do but it just feels fantastic,” said 22-year-old McCarthy.
“I had a game plan for the week, stuck to it and that got me through.
“I came up here a few days before the tournament and had played Formby Hall last year so knew there were holes when you could attack and holes you had to settle for par.
“At the beginning of the year I had a target to be in the top five and this has just boosted me and brought me closer.
“There are four tournaments left and then the Tour Championships so I’m hoping for a good finish to the season.
“I’ve won £13,000 from the Tour so far this year and if I can get it to £20,000 that should be enough.”
Leeds-based McCarthy has played on the Tour since April 2009 and hopes to follow in the footsteps of former members Louis Oosthuizen and Ross Fisher, who recently won the Open and the Irish Open respectively.
McCarthy’s previous best finish came in August 2009 when he came tied fourth at Wychwood Park in Cheshire, although he had threatened to beat that earlier this campaign.
He had led going into the final day at Longhirst Hall, Northumberland but eventually finished sixth before he finished in the same position a week later at Bovey Castle, Devon.
“It makes a big difference moving from amateur golf to the EuroPro Tour and on the Tour you learn how to shoot low numbers,” added McCarthy.
“A couple of times in the past I have been in contention but not been able to finish it off.
“But winning this gives me a lot of confidence and then you look at the big names who have played on the Tour. You think if they can do it then why can’t I?”
Henry picks up £5,000 for his second place, while Order of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt has extended his lead at the top of the money list after he came third.
Matt Allen finished fourth with four players – Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale), Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool), Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) and Steve Uzzell (Hornsea GC) - all in tied fifth place.
To see the full final result, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
UZZELL HOLDS ONE SHOT LEAD AT FORMBY HALL
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
STEVE Uzzell holds a one shot lead going into the final day of the Formby Hall Classic on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
Uzzell (Hornsea Golf Club) is leading the race for the £10,000 in the ninth event of the season at the Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa in Merseyside.
He had a joint share of the lead at the start of Thursday’s play but a round of three-under gave him an outright advantage.
Matt Allen is in tied second place on seven-under after two rounds and he is joined on the same score by Nick McCarthy (Moortown). Allen is heading for his fifth top ten finish of the season and looking to move up in the Order of Merit where he is currently tenth.
Daniel Gaunt’s amazing 2010 has continued as he is in contention for another victory on the PGA EuroPro Tour. Australian Gaunt, who is based in New Malden, Surrey, has dominated the season and is also vying for the title here.
He has already won once on the Tour in 2010 – at Wensum Valley in Norfolk - but also finished second twice, third and seventh as he leads the Order of Merit by more than £7,000.
Gaunt is in fourth place on six-under but would have been joint second if he had not claimed a bogey on the last.
One of the best rounds of the day came from 2007 money list winner Graeme Clark (Doncaster), who shot a six-under score of 66.
Birdies at the third, fifth, seventh, tenth, 14th, 17th and 18th brought him in contention for the £10,000 winner’s prize, although his day could have been even better if he had claimed a bogey at the 15th.
Clark is hoping to win his first PGA EuroPro Tour event in three years after finishing first on three occasions in the 2007 season.
Kevin Harper (East Devon), Scott Henry (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) and Ryan Brown (Worksop Golf Club) all join Clark on five-under, while four men are a shot behind.
The top 50 plus ties have advanced to the last round, which begins on Friday morning.
For full scores go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Uzzell (Hornsea Golf Club) is leading the race for the £10,000 in the ninth event of the season at the Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa in Merseyside.
He had a joint share of the lead at the start of Thursday’s play but a round of three-under gave him an outright advantage.
Matt Allen is in tied second place on seven-under after two rounds and he is joined on the same score by Nick McCarthy (Moortown). Allen is heading for his fifth top ten finish of the season and looking to move up in the Order of Merit where he is currently tenth.
Daniel Gaunt’s amazing 2010 has continued as he is in contention for another victory on the PGA EuroPro Tour. Australian Gaunt, who is based in New Malden, Surrey, has dominated the season and is also vying for the title here.
He has already won once on the Tour in 2010 – at Wensum Valley in Norfolk - but also finished second twice, third and seventh as he leads the Order of Merit by more than £7,000.
Gaunt is in fourth place on six-under but would have been joint second if he had not claimed a bogey on the last.
One of the best rounds of the day came from 2007 money list winner Graeme Clark (Doncaster), who shot a six-under score of 66.
Birdies at the third, fifth, seventh, tenth, 14th, 17th and 18th brought him in contention for the £10,000 winner’s prize, although his day could have been even better if he had claimed a bogey at the 15th.
Clark is hoping to win his first PGA EuroPro Tour event in three years after finishing first on three occasions in the 2007 season.
Kevin Harper (East Devon), Scott Henry (The Carrick on Loch Lomond) and Ryan Brown (Worksop Golf Club) all join Clark on five-under, while four men are a shot behind.
The top 50 plus ties have advanced to the last round, which begins on Friday morning.
For full scores go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Gay Hill Golf Club Mixed Open
Labels:
Worcestershire
We would like to let you know that there are still some places available in the forthcoming Mixed Pairs Open at Gay Hill Golf Club, located just to the south of Birmingham.The competition will take place on Tuesday 7th September and costs just £22 per couple. The format is a Betterball Medal with handicap limits of 22 (men) and 34 (ladies). A 3/4 handicap allowance will be used on the day. An entry-form for the event can be found here.
Gay Hill is an attractive 18 hole parkland course which undulates gently and one you will find challenging but enjoyable. It is relatively short in length but the fairways are tight and the greens fast.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
UZZELL AND BROWN EARLY LEADERS IN MERSEYSIDE
Labels:
PGA EuroPro Tour
STEVE Uzzell and Ryan Brown (pictured) are early leaders on a rain affected opening day of the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event.Play was delayed for more than two hours at the beginning of the day after heavy rain at the Formby Hall course in Merseyside.
But Uzzell, who turned 27 last month, grasped his opportunity when he went out with a score of 67, five under par.
Uzzell, a member of the Hornsea Golf Club, is aiming to go one better than in June when he finished runner-up at Bovey Castle in Devon.
He is currently 15th on the Order of Merit and is well-placed to earn more money after a flawless round with birdies at the seventh, ninth, 16th, 17th and 18th.
Uzzell was an early clubhouse leader but was soon joined on five-under by 23-year-old Brown (Worksop).
Brown also did not drop a shot and birdies at both of the final two holes helped him to a share of the lead.
Nick McCarthy (Moortown) is in contention for his third top ten finish of the season following a score of three-under on day one.
It was an eventful round as birdies at the first, third, ninth, tenth, 14th and 18th were mixed with bogeys at the fifth, sixth and 11th.
Kevin Harper (East Devon) and Jeremy Kavanagh (Stoke Park) are among those on two-under, while Sean McDonough (Salisbury GC) made a bright start with an eagle on the par-five third.
Daniel Gaunt has continued his amazing form that has seen him storm to the top of the EuroPro Tour money list and also claim his first victory on the Challenge Tour.
Gaunt is on course for another high finish as he is currently among a large group of players all on one-under.
Amateur golfing legend Gary Wolstenholme (Carus Green GC) is struggling to make the cut in his first tournament back since winning at Stoke-by-Nayland in Essex at the beginning of July.
Wolstenholme, who turns 50 later this month, has represented England more times than any other player but three dropped shots in the back nine left him in trouble here.
The delay in play meant the first round was expected to be completed early on Thursday before the start of the second round.
After the second round the top 50 plus ties will advance to a final round on Friday where the overall champion will collect £10,000.
To see the full results from the event, please go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.
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