King John battles to North Region crown

THERE was a time seven months ago when John King was unsure if he would walk properly again let alone win another tournament.

As he lay trapped under a golf buggy after an accident during a round with some friends in Portugal, all sorts of thoughts crossed his mind.

“I was in a lot of pain. I realised both my ankles were broken because they had swelled up and I did not know how things would turn out,” said the 50-year-old Lindrick professional.

His injuries were so serious that he spent two months in a wheelchair, three weeks hobbling along on a Zimmer frame and today still needs a walking stick.

And if ever the old adage “beware the injured golfer” was applicable it was in King’s case as he won the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach where he beat Woodsome Hall assistant Chris Hanson, a player half his age, at the first play-off hole.

He led after an opening round of seven-under-par 65 but later in the day could only walk 200 yards on nearby Blackpool promenade before he had to sit down.

“I still felt very stiff at the start of the final round but when I rolled in a birdie from 30 feet at opening hole I suddenly felt a lot better!

“It settled me down and convinced me my putting was going to continue in the same mode as the previous day. I’d struggled on the greens until I arrived here and was going to change my putter for the fourth time in a few days until I realised I was the problem and not the club,” said King whose first tournament following his accident was six weeks ago in the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall.

King, who walked with a shooting stick while his dad Barry caddied, pitched in for an eagle at the 539-yard 10th to pull away from the pack. But a double bogey at the 16th, where he lost his drive, gave Hanson a one-shot clubhouse lead on 11-under-par after closing with a 66.

But King birdied the 466-yard par five last, courtesy of a splendid shot with a rescue club from the rough, to post a 68 and set up the play-off on the same hole.

This time Hanson, winner of the 2009 Manchester Open, pulled his drive into the hay, bunkered his next shot then saw a 30-foot birdie effort slide by. King, on a greenside slope in two, pitched to five feet and coolly drained the putt.

Haigh Hall’s Craig Corrigan, who won the last time the events was played at Heron’s reach in 2005, was third two shots off the pace. David Clark, from Morpeth, handed in the best card of the day, a flawless 65 featuring an eagle at the 490-yard sixth and five birdies which lifted him into a three-way share of four place on eight-under-par.

“I got the rough end of the draw in the first round because the rain never let up,” he lamented.

LEADING SCORES: 133 Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) 67 66, John King (Lindrick) 65 68; 135 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall) 67 68; 136 David Clark (Morpeth) 71 65, Simon Edwards (Windermere) 69 67, Phil Archer (Birchwood) 66 70; 137 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 69 68, John Wells (Cherry Burton) 69 68, Gary Brown (Ganton) 68 69, Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry) 67 70; 138 Mark Ridley (South Moor) 69 69, Martin Forster (Tynedale) 68 70; 139 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 71 68.

FINAL ORDER OF MERIT: 1,306pts Steve Parry (North West Golf Academy); 1,098 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall); 872 John Wells (Cherry Burton); 796 Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey); 762 David Smith (Swinton Park); 744 Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall); 738 David Clark (Morpeth); 724 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 598 Jon Cheetham (Gatley); 593 Chris Clarke (Waterfront Golf).

TRIO SHARE THE LEAD AFTER DAY ONE IN CYPRUS

THREE men share the lead after the first day in the biggest event of the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour season.

The Marfin Popular Bank EuroPro Tour Championship features only players ranked inside the top 60 on the Order of Merit and is being staged at Aphrodite Hills Golf in Paphos, Cyprus.

A successful event in Cyprus could clinch the players a spot on next year’s Challenge Tour where they would be only one level away from joining the golfing elite on the European Tour.

Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC), Jeremy Kavanagh (Stoke Park) and James Hepworth (Ilkley GC) are all level in first place after shooting rounds of four-under on Wednesday.

Harris claimed birdies at the third, fifth, 14th and 18th, while Kavanagh and Hepworth will be rueing dropped shots that would have gave either of them an outright lead.

The trio sit one shot ahead of Daniel Perrett (Clevedon GC) in fourth and two ahead of James Heath, Kevin Harper (East Devon) and Noel Fox in tied fifth.

In previous seasons, the players who finish the campaign in the top five on the EPT Order of Merit advance to the Challenge Tour.

However, seven players from the 2010 EuroPro Tour will move up to the Challenge Tour. Daniel Gaunt (winner of a Challenge Tour event earlier in the year) and Craig Lee (guaranteed a place in the top 80 of the Challenge Tour money list) have already secured their spots at the higher level.

Matthew Evans and James Hepworth are guaranteed high finishes on the EPT money list so three spots are still up for grabs.

Nick McCarthy is currently fourth in the Order of Merit and needing a good competition but lies tied 29th after a day one score of two-over.

Other Challenge Tour contenders include Ian Keenan (+1), James Busby (Evens), Paul Maddy (+2), Gary Wolstenholme (+2) and Zane Scotland (+3).

There is no cut in the Marfin Popular Bank EuroPro Tour Championship so all of the players will play a second round on Friday and the final round on Saturday.

For more information about the PGA EuroPro Tour, visit the official website www.europrotour.com

POKERSTARS MANX GOLF CLASSIC - TV BROADCAST

Following the success of this year's Pokerstars Manx Golf Classic at Mount Murray Golf Club, the television broadcast will be shown on the following days:

- 5th October at 19:00 on Sky Sports 4
- 5th October at 22:00 on Sky Sports 3
- 6th October at 01:30 on Sky Sports 2
- 6th October at 08:00 on Sky Sports 3
- 6th October at 15:00 on Sky Sports 4

King walking back to happiness

JOHN King, who spent two months in a wheelchair earlier this year after breaking both ankles in a buggy accident in Portugal, took a giant step on the road to recovery when he set the first round pace in the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach.

The Lindrick professional is unable to play 36 holes in a day and uses a shooting stick to help him round the course but he fired a seven-under-par 65 in the incessant Blackpool rain to lead by a stroke from European Tour player Phil Archer.

King, 50, who only made his tournament comeback in the Leeds Cup six weeks ago, said: “I still use a walking stick but I’m definitely on the mend. It’s been a long haul back but I feel as though I’m getting my game to where I want it to be.”

He has delayed trying to qualify for the European Senior Tour for another year because of his injuries and club commitments but his confidence rose several notches after his eight-birdie haul, his only mistake coming at the first hole which he three putted.

“That’s been one of my problems recently and I’ve tried several putters to sort it out. Hopefully, I’ve found the right one because I did not miss many chances during the rest of the round.”

His longest was a 40-footer at the short 16th which set him up for birdies on the last three holes.

Archer, 38, who is resigned to returning to Tour School after a disappointing season, was happy with his 66 on a course where he created a regional record of 19-under-par over three rounds when he won the title there in 1992.

He admitted: “I always feel relaxed in these events. Maybe I should adopt a similar attitude to playing on tour which I probably treat with too much respect.”

LEADING SCORES: 65 John King (Lindrick); 66 Phil Archer (Birchwood); 67 Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry), Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall); 68 James Wilkinson (Brampton), Graham Cox (Davenport), Gary Brown (Ganton), Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe), John Wells (Cherry Burton), Martin Forster (Tynedale), Gary Dermott Heaton Park); 69 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), Chris Mathews (Mytton Fold), Mark Ridley (South Moor), Tom Hesketh (Oakdale), Alex Evans (Bromborough), Ryan O’Neill (Penwortham), Simon Edwards (Windermere).

Prudhoe's Season Gets Even Better

Prudhoe golf club have rounded off one of the most successful seasons in their 80 year history with victory in the Dixon Cup - the annual champion of champions scratch strokeplay shoot-out between the winners of all five North East leagues which stretch from North Yorkshire to the Scottish border.

At Arcot Hall golf club on Sunday the Prudhoe team, representing the Newcastle & District League, secured a convincing nine shot victory over defending Dixon Cup champions Saltburn, champions of the Teesside Golf Union. And Prudhoe were without two of their top players.

With six out of seven gross scores counting for each team, Prudhoe's young guns led the way with best of the day one under par rounds of 69 from Andy Scrimshaw, recently selected for the England Schoolboys team & James Curry.

Under the rules, they had to go out again for a sudden death play-off which Scrimshaw won after a long straight drive & a 50 yard pitch to three feet for a winning birdie three, against Curry's par, at the first extra hole.

One of Prudhoe' missing players was Dan Shevill, back in the USA in the final year of his golf scholarship at Midland University in Texas. The other was Tom Rowland, away on a trial for the England team. And while his team mates were adding to their haul of silverware, Rowland's trip proved equally successful as he was selected for the Under 18 performance squad.

Prudhoe's unique feat of winning both the Hadrian & Newcastle & District Leagues in 2010 qualified the club to submit two teams in the Dixon Cup. Finding 14 players would be difficult for any club especially when not all players were available. It demonstrates the enormous strength in depth of players available that Prudhoe managed to put out two highly competitive teams.

Club Captain, Malcolm Ward, wasn't able to be at Arcot Hall as he is currently in hospital awaiting an operation. However, he was kept fully informed throughout the day & had this to say from his hospital bed, "I am so proud of the lads. Their commitment to themselves, to each other & to the club has been exemplary & the results they have achieved this year, as individuals & as a team, is thoroughly deserved."

Final results in the Dixon Cup were:
Prudhoe (Newcastle & District League) - 438
Saltburn (Teesside Union) - 447
Heworth (North Durham Union) - 454
Goswick (North Northumberland League) - 462
Prudhoe (Hadrian League) - 474

Order of Merit with one event to go!

Below is the Northern Order of Merit Table following the Pendle Witch at Clitheroe Golf Club.

Mark Young cannot be caught and has now won the title three times in the last four years.

Mark Young , Longridge = 1090
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 835
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 510
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 470
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 465
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 410
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 400
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 360
James Robinson , S&A = 355
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 355
Paul Howard , S&A = 310
Liam Ball , Chorley = 305
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 300
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 285
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
David Peel , Stockport = 260
Liam Jeffrey , Haigh Hall = 260
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 255
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 220
Clive Robertson , Green Howarh = 220
Kristian Taylor , Formby = 215
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 210
Craig Fort , Nelson = 210
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 190
Marcus Mohr , Bromborough = 185
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills USA = 180
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 175
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 170
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 150
Simon Robinson , Heysham = 150
David Simpson , Penrith = 150
Alex Pritchard , Pryors Hayes = 150
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 150
James Newton , Prestbury = 150
Louis Tomlinson , Haydock Park = 150
James Bolton , Formby = 145
Garry Lacy , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 145
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 145
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 140
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 140
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Steve Bryan , Bolton Old Links = 125
Andrew Heesom , Clitheroe = 125
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 120
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 115
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 105
Shaun Field , Nelson = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 100
Abisher Ruia , Dunham Forest = 100
Lawrence Noot , Enville = 100
Matt Watts , Rossendale = 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
Tom Stuart , St Annes Old Links = 75
Mark Whittaker , Rossendale = 75
Reece Cranfield , Haigh Hall = 75
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 70
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 70
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 70
David Jones , Ramsey = 70
Daryl Callister , Mount Murray = 65
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
David Jones , Bolton Old Links = 60
Tony Flanagan , Clitheroe = 60
Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 50
David Brown , Bromborough = 50
Ed Battye , Dewsbury = 50
Michael Murray , Todmorden = 50
Liam Doherty , Mossock Hall = 50
Ben Chambers , Ellesmere = 50
David Collis , Blackpool NS = 50
Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 50
Robert Smith , Heysham = 50
Ashley Siddle , Rossendale = 50
John Longcake , Silloth = 50
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 45
Barry Barker , Reddish Vale = 45
Glyn Davies , Astbury = 45
Gary Spann , Stand = 45
Matthew Hanlon , Childwall = 45
Paul Thornton , St Annes Old Links = 45
Neil Hillier , Silloth = 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
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
Rob McLean , St Annes Old Links = 40
Chris Heslop , Chipping Norton = 35
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
Glenn Senior , Lee Parl = 30
Paul Williams , Denton = 30
Graham Roberts , Eaton = 25
Martyn Walsh , Styal = 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
Andy Runciman , Dean = 25
Chris Nicholls , Rossendale = 25
Chris Murphy , Childwall = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 20
Paul Bartlett , Ashton & Lea = 20
Jason Kelly , Accrington = 20
Rob Fawcett , Dukinfield = 20
Kenny Ralston , Fleetwood = 20
Alex Illidge , Grange Park = 20
Brian Duggan , Kind Edwards Bay = 20
Jonathan Day , Braintree = 20
James Roberts , Lancaster = 20
Jake Watson , St Annes Old Links = 20
Robert Beecham , Clitheroe = 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
Matt Taylor , Bolton Old Links = 15
Steve Ackers , Clitheroe = 15
Joe Buckley , Harrogate = 15
Kevin Kean , Ashton-on-Mersey = 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
Sean Cominskey , Gathurst = 10
Ray Tennant , Formby Hall = 10

It’s all yours Mark – again!

MARK Young wrapped up his third Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title in four years – on the day he was helping Lancashire to victory in the English County Finals at Hunstanton.

The Longridge man’s last remaining rival Richie Blundell, from Hillside, needed to win the Pendle Witch at Clitheroe to stay in the race.

But his seventh place finish earned him only 40 points and languishing 255 behind his county team-mate with one event left, the rearranged Trafalgar Trophy at Nelson next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Mark Ashworth took advantage of local knowledge over his home course to win the Pendle Witch, and addition to this year’s fixture list.

A brace of 70s, two-under-par all told, left him four ahead of Blackburn’s Steve McGlynn. Ashworth, who also won the Revidge Cannon at Blackburn this season, collected two birdies in the morning and five in the afternoon.

SCORES (Par 71): 140 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 70 70; 144 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 73 71, Kristian Taylor (Formby) 71 73; 147 Craig Fort (Nelson) 76 71; 148 Andrew Heesom (Clitheroe) 78 70, Neil Hillier (Silloth) 75 73; 149 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 77 72, Clive Robertson (Green Howarth) 76 73; 150 Chris Heslip (Chipping Norton) 79 71, Robert Beecham (Clitheroe) 73 77; 151 Ian Hardman (Clitheroe) 74 77; 152 Liam Ball (Chorley) 75 77.

ORDER OF MERIT: 1,090pts Mark Young (Longridge); 835 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 510 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 465 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 400 Paul Kinnear (Formby); 370 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 360 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 355 James Robinson (S&A), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 465 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 305 Liam Ball (Chorley); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby).

Smart Alex outguns the pros to win Open title

RINGWAY amateur Alex Hogben upstaged the professionals when he won the Cheshire and North Wales Open at rain-lashed Stockport.

He racked up seven birdies, three in row from the fifth hole, for a four-under-par 67 in an event reduced to one round because of the conditions.

Hogben was a shot in front of Davenport assistant Graham Cox, and Sale's Gareth Jones.

And it was his second success in four days after winning the Rocar Moor's Classic pro-am at Huddersfield with Ashton-under-Lyne's James Salt.

DETAILS: 67 Alex Hogben (Ringway); 68 Gareth Jones (Sandiway), Graham Cox (Davenport).

Shacklady’s birdie blitz lands Lancs title

DAVID Shacklady warmed up for this week’s De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach with a runaway victory in the Lancashire PGA Championship at Accrington.

The 42-year-old professional attached to Mossock Hall blew the opposition out of the water in the first round when he racked up seven birdies in a flawless 63.

And he could afford to take his foot off the pedal in the afternoon as he posted a 69 for an eight-under-par total that did not feature one bogey.

Shacklady, who is favourite to finish runner-up to Bolton-based Steve Parry in the region’s Order of Merit at Blackpool where the action starts on Wednesday, won by six shots from Brookdale assistant Grant Hamerton and Houghwood’s Barry Taylor in the Clayton Park Bakery sponsored event.

DETAILS (Par = 70): 132 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 63 69; 138 Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 69 69, Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 69 69; 139 John Barclay (Myerscough College) 66 73.

BIGGEST EVENT OF EUROPRO TOUR SEASON TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEK

THE BIGGEST event in the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour season takes place next week.

The Tour Championships features the 60 best performers from the regular campaign competing over three rounds from September 30 to October 2 at Aphrodite Hills in Paphos, Cyprus.

This tournament has the biggest prize fund of the season with £16,670 going to the winner, instead of the £10,000 they won for previous victories.

But, more importantly for the players, at the end of this tournament the Order of Merit will be finalised and the top performers will advance to the Challenge Tour and be only one step away from joining the golfing elite on the European Tour.

EuroPro Tour member Daniel Gaunt has already secured a Challenge Tour card after he won one of their events earlier in the year.

As Gaunt and Craig Lee are already guaranteed places on next year's Challenge Tour that means the men finishing sixth and seventh will also advance to the higher level.

With Matthew Evans and James Hepworth both on more than £23,000, they seem likely to take two of the spots meaning three places are still up for grabs.

Nick McCarthy and Ian Keenan are currently fourth and sixth on the money list respectively but they are closely followed by James Busby (seventh), Paul Maddy (eighth), Gary Wolstenholme (ninth) and Zane Scotland (tenth).

Danny Nickless, Operations Manager for the PGA EuroPro Tour, believes it has been another fantastic season and was expecting a thrilling conclusion in Cyprus.

He said: "The Tour Championship is the flagship event and every player that competes during the year strives to get into the top 60 in the order of merit so they can compete for the €75,000 prize fund.

"It has had some amazing venues including Vilamoura, Azores, Les Bordes and now the wonderful Aphrodite Hills.

"The players are all striving for the top five order of merit spots which gives them an automatic card to the Challenge Tour in 2011. As Dan Gaunt and Craig Lee are already guaranteed cards it will be the top seven that are guaranteed cards this year which is fantastic for the tour.

"It has been an amazing season with the level of the courses being remarkably high and the level of the golf played being outstanding. We are looking forward to a great climax at a great venue with some spectacular golf."

Ryder Cup Star Receives 'The Lee Westwood Cup'

Wedgwood Presents Lee Westwood With a Stunning New Help for Heroes Golf Trophy

European number one Lee Westwood met up with Wedgwood and Waterford Crystal on Wednesday for the official 'hand-over' of the wonderful new 'Lee Westwood Cup'.

The trophy has been made and donated by Wedgwood in honour of injured members of the British Armed Forces in association with Help for Heroes and The National Golf Club Challenge, a nationwide amateur golf competition which raises funds for charity.

In speaking of his support for Help for Heroes and The National Golf Club Challenge, Lee said "I am honoured to be a patron to the challenge and deeply humbled to be asked by Wedgwood to name the National Golf Club Challenge Trophy 'The Lee Westwood Cup' continuing Wedgwood's long tradition of naming their stunning trophies after some of the most iconic golfers the world has ever seen."

Wedgwood (and Waterford Crystal), now part of the WWRD group, have enjoyed a long association with professional golf, producing among others, the stunning World Golf Championship trophies for the USPGA. Made to the same exacting high standards, it was key that the impressive new National Golf Club Challenge Help for Heroes trophy was given a fitting name.

Gerry O'Keeffe, manager for Sports and Special markets at WWRD commented "In designing the World Golf Championship trophies, not only did we want to create beautiful trophies that would be worthy of these great tournaments, we also wanted to create iconic pieces to which some of the great contributors to the game of golf, pioneering players who have represented all that is good about the game, would be pleased to lend their name.

"From great players of the past to great players of today," Gerry continued. "Lee Westwood exemplifies the professionalism of the modern day game displaying all the hallmarks of the truly great sportsman, the perfect candidate to carry on the tradition and lend his name to another great trophy."

The stunning 'Lee Westwood Cup' has been hand thrown and turned out of blue Jasper and hand decorated with white bas-relies golfing and military figures forming the main design features. The trophy is mounted on two blue jasper plinths and all edges hand gilded in 22 carat gold.

'The Lee Westwood Cup' will be presented to the 2010 Help for Heroes National Golf Club Challenge Champions as part of the Grand Final event next month. The final, sponsored by YourGolfTravel.com, will be held on the 11th and 12th of October at The Belfry, one of the world's leading golf resorts, and four times host to the Ryder Cup.

The inaugural National Golf Club Challenge event, which took place in July, was the largest amateur golf charity event the UK has seen. The event brought together hundreds of golf clubs and thousands of golfers over the same weekend to have fun, compete and give generously to the Help for Heroes charity. The money raised to date totals a tremendous £202,273... and counting, with donations still coming in the challenge team hope to raise more than a quarter of a million pounds.

For more information about The National Golf Club Challenge Final, please visit www.ngccfinal.com.

Mark Penny Feeling Just Champion

Going into the final 'double header' weekend of the 2010 ZFL North East Masters, any one of the top four contenders could still secure the Masters title. Not only that, all of the top 10 were still in the hunt for 2nd to 5th places.

And events 13 & 14 at Brancepeth & new to the series Woodham, provided plenty of excitement & changes of positions. At Brancepeth, with defending Masters Champion Simon Lee lying 2nd in the series & 3rd placed Michael Curry (pictured left) absent, long time series leader, Mark Penny from Morpeth realistically only needed a top 15 finish to become champion. But a 13 over par total of 153, after rounds of 78 & 75, was only good enough for 17th leaving City of Newcastle's Phil Ridden needing to win to keep the pressure on. Two steady scores of 73 & 72 were only good for 5th however & Penny was Masters Champion.

Home player, Richard Aisbitt (pictured below right), followed his record breaking win at Bishop Auckland with another victory at Brancepeth. Rounds of 72 & 69, one over par, gave him a comfortable six shot margin over Bedale's Michael Henson with Durham's Graeme Marchbank two shots further back. Aisbitt's back to back victories vaulted him seven places to 5th in the ZFL table, the same position he enjoyed in 2009. Meanwhile, Ridden, 3rd last year, had jumped from 4th to 2nd.

At Woodham the next day, Brancepeth's Michael Curry came back with a bang. Rounds of 70 & 71 for a five under par 141 gave Curry a three shot victory over Bishop Auckland's J. Peart with Wynyard's Ben Tetlow another three shots adrift. Woodham's Director of Golf, Glen Lowery, was pleased to have got the event off the ground but was frustrated by over half the field failing to show up or withdrawing at the last minute.

Virtually every tournament has suffered from no shows & last minute withdrawals this year & Lowery voices an opinion shared by many. "This attitude doesn’t help the amateur game prosper in the way I feel it should. Many of these players are considered ambassadors for their clubs & role models to younger players. If they were on the professional circuit, they would receive a large fine and a hefty ban. To those who did turn out & play, I am truly grateful & I am going to offer these players free entry for the 2011 event!"

Top contenders for the final four prize places including Lee, Ridden & Aisbitt were all absent. Having finished just out of the points at Brancepeth, that gave the ever consistent Nigel King from South Shields a golden opportunity to re-claim 5th spot in the series - the position he had lost at Brancepeth due to Aisbitt's win & Mark Penny's brother, Craig's, 6th position. King took full advantage by finishing joint 6th at Woodham, pushing Penny & Aisbitt out of the ZFL prizes. His 5th place finish in the series was an improvement of two places over 2009.

Final positions in the ZFL North East Masters were:
01 Mark Penny (Morpeth) 1190.8 points
02 Michael Curry (Brancepeth) 1033.7
03 Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) 913.3
04 Simon Lee (City of Newcastle) 840.8
05 Nigel King (South Shields) 730.0

A special presentation night for all the prize winners & guests has been arranged at Penny's home club, Morpeth, on Saturday 20 November. ZFL's MD, Andrew Leach, commented, "This is our second year as series sponsor & it was exciting to see the final results go down to the wire. I would congratulate the prize winners & the hundreds of players from all over the North East & beyond who have taken part in 2010 & made the ZFL North East Masters so interesting. I would also like to thank the participating clubs for all their hard work in staging the events. We are already planning 2011 & considering some positive changes to the format."

Archer aims to turn back the clock

PHIL Archer returns to the scene of former glory when he pegs up in the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach next week (Sept 29-30).

Back in 2002, the 38-year-old Birchwood tournament professional blitzed the Blackpool course to claim the title with a flawless three-round total of 19-under-par.

That performance, still a regional record, helped to inspire him to win a place on the European Tour and since then he’s played continuously at that level.

But he’ll be hoping history will repeat itself this time as he battles to keep his card which he only retrieved through tour school last year.

Archer admitted his confidence was lifted after his record-breaking eight-under-par 63 in the first round of the Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park last month.

He was third in that event but a couple of weeks later registered his best result of the season when he finished 10th in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Archer’s one of five past champions in the 129-strong field at Heron’s Reach which is hosting the £12,500 tournament for the first time since 2005 when Haigh Hall’s Craig Corrigan prevailed.

Long-serving Huddersfield professional Paul Carman won there in 1998 but between times North East exile Gary Donnison, from Mobberley, stole the thunder at Northop Park and two years later Chorley’s Mark Bradley was successful at Burgham Park.

Apart from Archer, man-in-form Steve Parry will be the player to beat as he bids to round off a spectacular season, in which he has already clinched the Order of Merit.

He’s won the Poker Stars Manx Classic, the De Vere Leeds Cup and lost in play-offs in two other ranking events - the Phoenix Gas Classic and James Brearley Lancashire Open.

But Parry, who runs his own teaching academy at Westhoughton club Hart Common, can expect some tough competition from Chester-based former Tour player Garry Houston, PGA Cup team members Will Barnes who’s based at Garstang and Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Golf Range, and Morpeth’s David Clark who won this week’s Rocar Moores Fixby Classic at Huddersfield.

Scarthingwell Golf Club Mixed Am-Am

We are delighted to inform you about a Mixed Team Open at Scarthingwell Golf Club.

This competition is one of the most popular mixed events in the county and is expected to fill up very quickly!

The tournament will take place on Sunday 3rd July 2011 and costs just £48 per team of four. The format is an Am-Am Stableford with handicap limits of 24 (men) and 30 (ladies). Note, players must have 'active' handicaps.

Full details and an entry-form are available here.

Scarthingwell golf course lies four miles south of Tadcaster on the edge of the Vale of York. It's an easy-walking 18-hole course set in tranquil rural surroundings and has become well established since it's opening in 1990. Providing a fair test for golfers of all abilities it has also gained a reputation for its friendly and informal atmosphere.

Clark gives himself a leg up

DAVID Clark “legged it” to his first PGA North Region Order of Merit victory of the season when he won a five-man play-off in the Rocar Moores Fixby Classic at Huddersfield.

The 32-year-old Morpeth teaching professional continued on the roll that started a couple of months ago which has so far carried him to eight wins and two second places in his last 10 outings.

And he attributed his resurgent form to bringing his legs into play more.

“I was practising on the range and trying to work out why my game had gone off the boil when I had one of those swing thoughts which everyone gets from time to time. It told me to get more aggressive with my legs and it’s certainly paying off,” said Clark.

And paying is the operative word.

“I need to boost my bank balance before winter sets in because it all goes quiet then on the teaching front,” he explained.

Clark, who last won a regional ranking event back in 2004 at the Manchester Open, recovered from a double bogey at the first hole in the second and final round, quickly atoning for the lapse with a brace of birdies then keeping the momentum going in driving rain to post a 70.

“I just told myself to keep ticking over which was difficult in that weather,” he said as he tagged his score on to his opening 71 for a one-under-par total.

He saved probably his best shot for the play-off hole – the 156-yard par three eighth where he struck a serene six iron to six inches to secure a winning birdie.

That ended the hopes of Matfen Hall assistant Paul Fiddes, Mossock Hall’s persistent David Shacklady who incredibly has yet to win an Order of Merit title in 20-plus years of trying; Swinton Park’s Dave Smith and former Leeds cup winner John Wells from Cherry Burton.

LEADING SCORES: 141 David Clark (Morpeth) 71 70, David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 73 68, Paul Fiddes (Matfen Hall) 72 69, John Wells (Cherry Burton) 71 70, David Smith (Swinton Park) 71 70; 142 Paul; Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) 72 70, James Salt (Ashton-under-Lyne) 70 72, Jon Cheetham (Gatley) 71 71, Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range) 71 71.

New date for Trafalgar Trophy

The Trafalgar Trophy, postponed at Nelson on Sunday because of the weather, will be played on Sunday, October 3rd, over 18 holes.

There will be a two-tee start with times from 8-30 a.m. to 10-10 a.m. and a reduced entry fee of £15 with amended prize fund but preserving the six main prizes. Normal points count for the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.

Tony’s Welsh “rare-bit”

TONY Stevens, who once beat Seve Ballesteros for the title of biggest hitter on the European Tour, can’t remember the last time he topped the leader board playing in the PGA North Region.

“It was years ago,” he said after storming to a one shot victory in the Aberdovey & Royal St David’s Pro-am.

The Davenport professional endured intermittent torrential rain and strong winds which lashed the Gwynedd coast as he finished three-over-par over two rounds.
He described his opening 69, minus two, at Aberdovey as “the best I’ve played for a long, long time.

“The conditions on the back nine were unbelievable. It lashed it down but I somehow kept it together.”

Stevens, 48, upstaged legendary Spaniard Ballesteros by three feet in the 1987 driving stats.

“I hit it 288 yards which is well short of today’s average distances but back then we used persimmon drivers and a balata balls,” he recalled.

But he can still give it a fair crack, evidence by his eagle at Royal St David’s 320-yard second where he drove the ball to six feet of the hole.

“It was downwind so it was no big deal,” added Stevens who also birdied the 13th to sign off with a 74 as Gatley pro Jon Cheetham and Eastham Lodge’s Nick Sargent tied second.

And as he starts a countdown to winning a card for the European Senior Tour in 2012, his performance will help to boost his confidence.

“I’m having lessons from Adrian Fryer at Warrington Drivetime and my game is improving. He’s worked hard on my swing and strengthened my grip,” he added.

Meanwhile, Stevens is back in action on Sunday and Monday in the Rocar Moores Fixby Classic at Huddersfield, the penultimate Order of Merit event before the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Blackpool’s Heron’s Reach on September 29-30.

DETAILS (Par 140): 143 Tony Stevens (Davenport) 69 74; 144 Jonathan Cheetham (Gatley) 72 72, Nick Sargent (Eastham Lodge) 70 74; 145 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall) 72 73; 145 Peter Allan (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 73 72, Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) 72 73; 146 James Hepworth (Ilkley) 73 73, Graham Cox (Davenport) 66 80.

Yorkshire Matchplay Champions

Andrew Lee from Northcliffe Golf Club was today crowned the Yorkshire Matchplay Individual Champion whilst Wheatley's Ben Ryland & Ashley Ibbotson landed the Pairs title.

In the season-long competition, starting out back in April, a wonderful day on the links of Alwoodley Golf Club saw Lee defeat Birley Wood's Paul Clarkson in the afternoon final (read more).

Meanwhile, the day was concluded with a gripping match that saw Ryland & Ibbotson clinch victory against Andrew Knowles & Jeremy Harding of Skipton in the Pairs final (read more).

Miller is the Master of Moortown

Report from the Moortown Masters, Sunday 12th September 2010 and the Yorkshire Order of Merit final round.

As many will know Moortown Golf Club, played from the Championship tees, is a course to be reckoned with on any day, add blustery winds and you have a challenge for any golfer.

This was demonstrated during this year’s Moortown Masters as the conditions saw the round 1 competition standard scratch rise to a staggering 5 over par, demonstrating the difficulty of the days task.

The first 18 holes saw Jamie Miller (Fulford) shoot the best opening round of 71, with David Houlding (Moortown) and Chris Nichol (Waterton Park) both one shot adrift with impressive opening rounds of 72.

As conditions showed no sign of improving in the afternoon scoring continued to very difficult. The two best rounds of 71 in the afternoon were posted by Moortown’s Nigel Sweet and Scot Hartley of Low Laithes.

As many of the morning leaders stumbled it was the solid relentless game of Miller (pictured above) who posted a second round score of 72 to take the Moortown Masters title.

As ever the Moortown Masters is the concluding round of the Yorkshire Order of Merit. Roger Roper (Wike) was the OOM leader coming into the final event with a firm 179 point lead.

Despite a late surge from Miller for the crown, Roper was able to hold on to take the title with his 5th place finish, concluding a very impressive season.

http://www.moortown-golf-club.co.uk/?p=1031

Moortown Masters 2010 Scores

GM Junior Golf Tour Update

There is still plenty of golf to play on the 2010 GM Junior Golf Tour.

The next tournament is the sixth event on their popular 'Champions Series' and will take place on Sunday 17th October at The London Club, Kent.

The following weekend (23rd October) sees the climax of the Champions Series with the Grand Final taking place over the famous Hunting course at Slaley Hall, Northumberland.

All Champions Series order of merit age group winners play here for free, courtesy of GM JUNIOR GOLF TOUR. Whilst, the leading three scores, based against their age group pars, will receive free entry into one of the GM UK CALLAWAY GOLF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIERS for 2011.

There is a Northern and Southern qualifier for the Callaway Golf Junior World Championships. The North event takes place later this year on the 30th & 31st October at Mottram Hall Golf Club near Manchester whilst the South competition is at Wildwood Golf & Country Club, Surrey, on the 16th & 17th April 2011.

Both qualifying events are open to any junior golfer who is a UK passport holder. Players do not have to be a GM Tour member to participate either as it is open to all.

Junior golfers are also advised to keep a look out for a new 'Spanish series' coming this winter.

Find out more obout the Graham Moore Junior Golf Tour.

Order of Merit Updated Table

Latest standings in the Northern Order of Merit following the Old Links Trophy at St. Annes Old Links Golf Club yesterday.

Mark Young , Longridge = 1090
Richie Blundell , Hillside = 795
Sean Towndrow , S&A = 510
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 465
Adam Andrews , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 410
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 400
Steve McGlynn , Blackburn = 370
James Robinson , S&A = 355
Jay McGarvey , Whitefield = 355
Paul Howard , S&A = 310
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 300
Liam Ball , Chorley = 295
Daniel Young , Prestbury = 285
Ian Winstanley , Formby = 275
David Peel , Stockport = 260
Liam Jeffrey , Haigh Hall = 260
Daniel Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 255
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 220
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 210
Paul Lowey , Rowany = 210
Jon Hurst , Shaw Hill = 190
Clive Robertson , Green Howarh = 190
Marcus Mohr , Bromborough = 185
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills USA = 180
Adam Wills , Sandiway = 175
Paul McFerran , Childwall = 175
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 170
Tommy Fleetwood , Formby Hall = 150
Simon Robinson , Heysham = 150
David Simpson , Penrith = 150
Alex Pritchard , Pryors Hayes = 150
Craig Fort , Nelson = 150
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 150
James Newton , Prestbury = 150
Louis Tomlinson , Haydock Park = 150
James Bolton , Formby = 145
Garry Lacy , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 145
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 145
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 140
Kristian Taylor , Formby = 140
Steve Hindle , Ellesmere = 140
Sam Connor , Sandiway = 130
Steve Bryan , Bolton Old Links = 125
Ray Hughes , Caldy = 120
Paul Woodhouse , Lancaster = 110
Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 105
Thomas Winn , Morecambe = 105
Shaun Field , Nelson = 105
James Cook , Royal Liverpool = 100
Joe Miller , Hill Valley = 100
Josh Evans , Mere = 100
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 100
Andrew Davis , Manchester = 100
Abisher Ruia , Dunham Forest = 100
Lawrence Noot , Enville = 100
Matt Watts , Rossendale = 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
Andrew Heesom , Clitheroe = 75
Tom Stuart , St Annes Old Links = 75
Mark Whittaker , Rossendale = 75
Reece Cranfield , Haigh Hall = 75
Sean Mills , Sandiway = 70
James Murphy , Shrigley Hall = 70
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 70
David Jones , Ramsey = 70
Daryl Callister , Mount Murray = 65
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
David Jones , Bolton Old Links = 60
Tony Flanagan , Clitheroe = 60
Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 60
Steven Carroll , Hazel Grove = 50
David Brown , Bromborough = 50
Ed Battye , Dewsbury = 50
Michael Murray , Todmorden = 50
Liam Doherty , Mossock Hall = 50
Ben Chambers , Ellesmere = 50
David Collis , Blackpool NS = 50
Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 50
Robert Smith , Heysham = 50
Ashley Siddle , Rossendale = 50
John Longcake , Silloth = 50
Paul D Williams , Hillside = 45
Mark Rogers , Hazel Grove = 45
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 45
Barry Barker , Reddish Vale = 45
Glyn Davies , Astbury = 45
Gary Spann , Stand = 45
Matthew Hanlon , Childwall = 45
Paul Thornton , St Annes Old Links = 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
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
Rob McLean , St Annes Old Links = 40
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
Glenn Senior , Lee Parl = 30
Paul Williams , Denton = 30
Graham Roberts , Eaton = 25
Martyn Walsh , Styal = 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
Andy Runciman , Dean = 25
Chris Nicholls , Rossendale = 25
Chris Murphy , Childwall = 25
Liam Connelly , West Lancs = 20
Russell Heyhoe , Burgham Park = 20
Lee Merson , Denton = 20
Andy Allen , Crompton & Royton = 20
Paul Bartlett , Ashton & Lea = 20
Jason Kelly , Accrington = 20
Rob Fawcett , Dukinfield = 20
Kenny Ralston , Fleetwood = 20
Alex Illidge , Grange Park = 20
Brian Duggan , Kind Edwards Bay = 20
Jonathan Day , Braintree = 20
James Roberts , Lancaster = 20
Jake Watson , St Annes Old Links = 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
Matt Taylor , Bolton Old Links = 15
Steve Ackers , Clitheroe = 15
Joe Buckley , Harrogate = 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
Sean Cominskey , Gathurst = 10
Ray Tennant , Formby Hall = 10

Jeffrey’s a first-time winner

LIAM Jeffrey won his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title when he upstaged a big field of seasoned players in the Ashton Trophy at St Annes Old Links.

The Haigh Hall ace defied the elements with rounds of 72 and 73 for a one-over-par total which indicated how tough the conditions were.

Three birdies cancelled out by as many bogeys set him up a one shot lead at the half-way stage as his second round followed a similar pattern.

Royal Lytham’s Henry Tomlinson was runner-up on a card play-off from Blackburn’s Steve McGlynn.

And merit leader Mark Young, from Longridge, added more points to his tally to extend his lead to 295 over Hillside’s Richie Blundell with two fixtures remaining.

SCORES (Par 72): 145 Liam Jeffrey (Haigh Hall) 72 73; 147 Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 76 71, Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 73 74; 149 David Peel (Stockport) 73 76; 150 Liam Ball (Chorley) 78 72, Paul Thornton (St Annes Old Links) 76 74, Rob McLean (St Annes Old Links) 76 74; 151 Mark Young (Longridge) 79 72, Steve Hindle (Ellesmere) 79 72; 152 Jake Watson (St Annes Old Links) 79 73, Marcus Mohr (Bromborough) 77 75, Paul Williams (Denton) 75 77.

ORDER OF MERIT: 1,090pts Mark Young (Longridge); 795 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 510 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 465 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 400 Paul Kinnear (Formby); 370 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 355 James Robinson (S&A), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 465 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 300 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park); 295 Liam Ball (Chorley); 285 Daniel Young (Prestbury); 275 Ian Winstanley (Formby); 260 David Peel (Stockport), Liam Jeffrey (Haigh Hall).

Carroll on song at Childwall

JOHN Carroll, a key member of the Lancashire side pursuing their second English County Championship title in three years at Hunstanton later this month, gave his game a timely boost when he won the Childwall Trophy by three strokes.

It was his second victory of the season in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit following his success in the Frank Stableford Trophy at Wallasey in June.

And the plus three handicapper from Huyton & Prescot achieved it with rounds of 73 and 70, one-under in total, on a testing day when he was the only player to beat par.

The painter and decorator brushed aside the rest of the field with a clutch of five birdies in the afternoon when he rain eased off and could even afford to bogey the last two holes.

Kristian Taylor, from Formby, claimed second place on countback from Haigh Hall’s Reece Cranfield.

SCORES (Par=72): 143 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 73 70; 146 Kristian Taylor (Formby) 75 71, Reece Cranfield (Haigh Hall) 75 71; 147 Paul McFerran (Childwall) 76 71; 148 Mark Young (Longridge) 76 72, Matthew Hanlon (Childwall) 74 74, Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 71 77; 149 Glenn Senior (Lee Park) 73 76; 150 Chris Murphy (Childwall) 78 71; 151 James Roberts (Lancaster) 80 71, Liam Jeffrey (Haigh Hall) 77 74; 152 Ray Tennant (Formby Hall) 76 76.

ORDER OF MERIT: 1,050pts Mark Young (Longridge); 795 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 510 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 465 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 410 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 400 Paul Kinnear (Formby); 355 James Robinson (S&A), Jay McGarvey (Whitefield); 465 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); 245 Liam Ball (Chorley).

MADDY WINS AFTER THRILLING FINISH AT FIVE LAKES

PAUL Maddy has scooped the £10,000 by winning the top prize at the latest event on the PGA EuroPro Tour.

Maddy (Gog Magog) clinched victory in one of the most exciting finishes of the season as he finished one shot ahead of seven players in the Brooks Bros 2010 Classic at Five Lakes Golf Club in Essex.

He was very consistent as he shot four-under rounds of 68 on both of the opening two rounds before his last round of five-under, 67, gave him the title.

The event was the last of the regular season before the Tour Championships take place in Cyprus at the end of September.

The top six players on the Order of Merit at the conclusion of the Tour Championships will qualify to play on the Challenge Tour next season.

Seven players finished tied second and they were Lloyd Saltman, Steven Capper (Caldy GC), Nick McCarthy (Moortown), Mark Coppell (Woodcote Park), Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC) and Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh).

Coppell had been the leader after the first day’s play, while Clark and O’Hanlon had shared the lead at the end of the second day.

Saltman produced one of the best rounds of the final day as his six-under 66 took him close to stealing the title but it was not to be as he come up one shot behind Maddy.

Jamie Abbott (Fynn Valley) was a shot further back on 11-under, the same total as amateur golfer Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire), although his amateur status meant he was not eligible for any prize money.

Lloyd’s performance is the second strong finish by an amateur golfer in two events after James Robinson had won the previous event at De Vere Slaley Hall.

Matthew Ford and James Freeman (Worksop GC) ended in tied 11th on ten-under with Tim Rice (Limerick), George Woolgar and Oliver Turnill a further shot back.

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

SFG Scottish Open at The Carrick

Single Figure Golfer are pleased to inform golfers that there are still a few spaces available in their Scottish Open at The Carrick on Monday 20th September 2010.

More details below:

* Format: 18 holes individual medal.
* Full handicap allowance.
* White Tees.
* Winner (best nett) automatically qualifies for the SFG grand final at Trevose.
* Prizes from Srixon, Bunker Mentality.
* Includes a free dozen Srixon Z-Star balls.
* Nearest the Pin (6 dozen Srixon balls) & Bunker Mentality clothing prizes up for grabs.
* Cost: £50.00.

If you would like to play in this event simply email editor@singlefiguregolfer.co.uk

CLARK CLOSING IN ON CHALLENGE TOUR RETURN

GRAEME Clark is closing in on a return to the Challenge Tour as he shares the lead with one day remaining in the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event.

Clark, 34, is on 12-under along with Ireland’s Paul O’Hanlon going into day three of the Brooks Bros 2010 Classic at the Five Lakes Golf Club in Essex.

Clark finished top of the Order of Merit in 2007 but after an unsuccessful spell on the Challenge Tour was back on the EuroPro Tour in 2009, winning at Tudor Park in Kent.

This season he has been an ever-present as he has competed in all 13 events and he currently stands 14th in the Order of Merit.

However, with £10,000 going to the winner at Five Lakes, Clark could push himself into fourth with only the end of campaign Tour Championships in Cyprus in October remaining.

If Clark (Doncaster GC) was to be in the top six on the Order of Merit at the conclusion of that tournament then he would regain his Challenge Tour card for next season.

He shot a five-under round of 67 on Wednesday but bettered that with a flawless score of 65 on Thursday.

O’Hanlon (Curragh) was another player to not drop a shot on Thursday and he is hoping for his best finish of the year after two tied fourth efforts.

Three players – Gary King, Barrie Trainor and Tim Rice - went round in 64 on Thursday with it being an incredible turnaround for Rice after he had shot 76 on the first day and looked likely to not make the cut.

Day one leader Mark Coppell (Woodcote Park) is still in contention for the victory as he is on ten-under, two shots behind O’Hanlon and Clark.

Coppell is joined in tied fourth by a number of other golfers including James Hepworth (Ilkley GC), James Freeman (Worksop GC), Jamie Abbott (Fynn Valley) and amateur Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire).

The top 50 and ties have advanced to the third and final round, which starts at 7.30pm on Friday.

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

COPPELL IN CHARGE AT FIVE LAKES

MARK Coppell is leading the way after the first day of the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event.

Coppell, a member of Woodcote Park in Surrey, holds a one-shot load in the Brooks Bros 2010 Classic at the Five Lakes Golf Club in Essex.

Aiming to make the cut for only the second time on the Tour this season, Coppell went round in a seven-under score of 65.

That round included an eagle at the par four fifth and birdies at the first, third, tenth, 12th, 13th and 14th.

He would have been in the lead by another shot had he not scored a bogey at the 11th.

Ireland’s Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) is in second place one shot behind Coppell on six-under.

O’Hanlon enjoyed a flawless round with birdies at the third, fifth, ninth, tenth, 13th and 16th.

He has played in nine Tour events with his best finishes being two tied fourth places – at Wensum Valley, Norfolk in April and Castle Dargan in Ireland.

Six men – Oliver Turnill, Gareth Davies (Abbeydale GC), Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC), Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex), Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) and James Freeman (Worksop GC) are all tied in third position on five-under.

A further ten golfers are all in tied ninth on four-under going into day two, which starts at 7.30am on Thursday, September 9.

At the end of the second round the top 50 players plus ties will advance into the third round where the overall champion will collect the £10,000 top prize.

For full information and results, go to the official website www.europrotour.com and click on ‘Score Updates’ on the right-hand side.

I quit, says Salt after trophy win

JAMES Salt won the Harold Lees Trophy at Dore & Totley then announced he will quit playing at the end of next month.

The 30-year-old big-hitter attached to Greater Manchester club Ashton-under-Lyne revealed: “I’ve two events left then I’m giving up and going to teach instead.”

And despite his victory in the PGA North Region flagship tournament for assistant professionals, he will not change his mind.

“It means the world to win an event but I know I’m not playing to a good enough standard to get to where I want to be. To be honest, I’ve become totally disheartened with the game.

“I’ve a wife and three children and I must do what’s needed to support them. In any case, I prefer teaching to playing and that’s where my future lies. I get a real buzz out of it.”

Salt, who already has a busy diary at The Golf School in Altrincham where he will work full-time, used his prodigious ball-striking skills to beat Hesketh’s Martin Edge with a birdie at the first extra hole after their two round scores had been deadlocked on three-under-par.

He forced the play-off after picking up a shot on the final green in normal time, driving to within 60 yards of the 417-yard hole before pitching to 15 feet.

He then reached the fringe of the 525-yard first in the play-off in two mighty hits to secure an easy birdie after Edge, who had closed with a best-of-tournament 67, had mishit his approach then found a bunker.

Meanwhile, Salt’s swansong will be at Forest Pines in the PGA Skins Fourball Championship partnering Ashton-on-Mersey’s Rory Walsh.

SCORES (Par 72): 143 James Salt (Ashton-under-Lyne) 71 70, Martin Edge (Hesketh) 74 67; 143 Michael Jones (De Vere Carden Park) 73 70; 144 Chris Coates (Grange-over-Sands) 71 73; 146 Jack Walker (Rotherham) 74 72. Thomas Bolton (Hazel Grove) 72 74; 147 Thomas Robinson (Wynyard) 76 71, Jack Carter (Pannal) 75 72.

Bishop Wins at Wokefield in Gtour

Jim Bishop (5) gave the Gtour yet another maiden winner as he won the third major of the year after clinching the Golfbreaks.com trophy.

Europe's leading golf travel company supplied the prizes on the day and have also just released their Early Birdie offer where golf groups can save up to £400 on their 2011 golf break by booking during September.

Bishop had a stunning round of gross 73 playing off five, which included four birdies to post 39 points, good enough for a one point victory to take the title.

Yet again the Gtour provided a great days golf for everyone involved with good weather and some great score coming in from De Vere's Wokefield Park.

It was one of the best scoring days of the season so far and a lot of the players payed tribute to the mind coach session they all had before they went out from Adam Sprackling of SingleMindedgolf.com

It was the positve attitude that Gary Walker (4) found so helpful:

" I spoke to Adam about the problem areas in my game. He gave me some advice and also a routine to aid me. So with this new tool in my bag off I went, and boy did it work!! It is mind boggling (excuse the pun) how much the mental side effects your game. "Today I'm going to be positive" that was my key thought and each time I found myself in a position of some difficulty I kept reverting back to the aid that Adam gave me."

It certainly worked for Gary who posted his best score of the season of 38 points and best finish since winning the Srixon Masters back in May to finish third on a count back.

Another tour regular Jonathon Crickmore (14) came in with his highest placed finish this season sealing second place again with 38 points. It was a good weekend for both Walker and Crickmore who moved up the Order of Merit table and both into the top 10 with three events remaining.

Crickmore also credited Adam's coaching to his up turn in form:

"Very, very pleased to have found some form at last. I would put this down to Adams coaching in the morning and playing next to Paul Whiting whose swing and rhythm I tried to emulate on the day.

Really enjoyed the course and the time spent playing a practice round the previous day with Jon Harris helped my game on the day."

Sprackling himself was delighted with the way the players took on board his advice and the way they were interested in the metal side of the game:

"I was thrilled to have the opportunity to run a Mind Clinic for the Gtour. I really enjoyed meeting such a great group of players, all wanting to get the most out of their golf. I'm really pleased those of who attended got so much from it.

I'm now looking forward to doing more clinics in the future. What struck me was how prepared everyone was to raise and actually address their mental challenges there and then. This hunger for real learning is rare and is a real tribute to the commitment that every GTour player has."

With the Order of Merit so tight everyone will want to be on top of their game going into the next event which is Saturday 18 September at De Vere Mottram Hall.

The tough demanding course will prove a great test for everyone on the day. Could we have another first time winner on tour? Look forward to seeing you all there.

Aisbitt Bowls them over at Bishop Auckland

Played over the course that gives its name to the trophy, event 12 in the ZFL North East Masters at the weekend was the highly popular Bishop Auckland Bowl.

Just for a change Masters leader, Morpeth's Mark Penny, didn't win but he scored more points than his rivals to extend his lead at the top of the rankings.

But the real story on the day was Richard Aisbitt from Brancepeth. Handily placed after a first round level par 72, just one shot behind Durham City's Graeme Marchbank, Aisbitt fired a new course record 64 to take the title by 9 shots from Marchbank & Silloth's John Longcake. Aisbitt already held the record with a 63 but, since then, the course has been lengthened. His win moves him up to 8th place in the table whilst Longcake improves one place to 9th & Marchbank five places to ease into 10th.

Former double Northumberland Champion, Mark Penny, shot two solid rounds of 75 & 74 to finish in a tie for seventh. But he would have been looking over his shoulder at another Brancepeth player, Michael Curry, lying third in the ZFL Masters, just behind defending champion Simon Lee from the City of Newcastle. But Curry was not able to capitalise on his first round 72, following it with a nightmare 81 to finish in a tie for 19th.

Lee didn't finish in the points & nor did City team mate, Phil Ridden, who withdrew with a wrist injury & missed his chance of overtaking Curry in the Masters league table. Mathematically, it's now a four horse race for the ZFL title between Penny, Lee, Curry & Ridden. If Penny can finish inside the top 10 in either of the last two tournaments, at Brancepeth & Woodham in two weeks time, then he will be the 2010 ZFL North East Masters Champion. This year, the ZFL North East Masters presentation will take place at the winner's home club. The battle for the top five prizes in the series is now between the current top 10 players in the table.

As always, Bishop Auckland organised the event very professionally & attracted 75 entrants, the highest in any of the ZFL qualifiers so far, and only had three 'no shows' although that's three too many. Even so, some tournaments have suffered from many more players than that failing to turn up. The course was in excellent condition but showed its teeth in the strong breeze with Scratch Scores of 73 & 72.

After Bishop Auckland, 135 players have scored points in the ZFL Masters series & are pretty evenly spread between players from Northumberland, Durham & further afield.

Top 10 players in the table are:
01 (01) Mark Penny (Morpeth) 1165.8 points
02 (02) Simon Lee (City of Newcastle) 840.8
03 (03) Michael Curry (Brancepeth) 833.7
04 (04) Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) 793.3
05 (05) Nigel King (South Shields) 625.0
06 (06) Craig Penny (Morpeth) 609.5
07 (07) Sandy Twynholm (Morpeth) 570.0
08 (12) Richard Aisbitt (Brancepeth Castle) 525.0
09 (10) John Longcake (Silloth) 490.0
10 (15) Graeme Marchbank (Durham City) 444.2

Figures in brackets are positions after event 11 at Westerhope.

Louis lands first merit title

LOUIS Tomlinson became a first time winner in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit when he defeated host club player Matt Watts by a shot in the Derek Ingham Trophy at Rossendale.

The Haydock Park two handicapper was round in level par 72 in the morning after carding a mixed bag of birdies and bogeys and followed up with 76 as conditions became tougher.

Former winner Mark Whittaker claimed third prize on countback from his Rossendale clubmate Ashley Siddle and Clitheroe’s Tony Flanagan.

SCORES (Par=72): 148 Louis Tomlinson (Haydock Park) 72 76; 149 Matt Watts (Rossendale) 76 73; 150 Mark Whittaker (Rossendale) 78 72, Tony Flanagan (Clitheroe) 77 73, Ashley Siddle (Rossendale) 76 74; 151 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 80 71, Clive Robertson (Green Howarth) 75 76; 152 Shaun Field (Nelson) 77 75; 153 Chris Nicholls (Rossendale) 76 77, Gary Spann (Stand) 76 77, Steve Ackers (Clitheroe) 72 81; 154 Sean Cominskey (Gathurst) 79 75.

Kinnear cuts it fine again

PAUL Kinnear is making a habit of close finishes. Last week he came up on the rails with a birdie on the last to win the Mere Trophy.

And he followed up with two eagles, sandwiched between a brace of bogeys, in the final four holes to clinch the Silver Goblet at Royal Birkdale.

The Formby youngster, last year’s Lancashire Boys’ champion, led by two shots after a first round 70 despite a double bogey at the sixth.

He then made sure of victory by four shots over Richie Blundell with an adventurous closing nine holes which contained only two pars as he posted a 72 for two-under total.

Kinnear moved into fifth place in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit but his late burst of form has come too late for him to challenge for the title.
Blundell, from Hillside, gained ground on leader Mark Young by denying him second spot on countback but as the Longridge reached 1,000 points he trails him by 205 with four events remaining.

Lancashire champion Sean Towndrow, from S&A, is third 490 off the pace with Ashton-in-Makerfield’s Adam Andrews 100 further back.

SCORES (Par=72): 142 Paul Kinnear (Formby) 70 72; 146 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 75 71, Mark Young (Longridge) 73 73; 147 Michael Howard (Royal Birkdale) 72 75; 148 John Longcake (Silloth) 74 74, Liam Ball (Chorley) 73 75; 149 David Jones (Ramsey) 75 74; 150 Paul Lowey (Rowany) 80 70, David Peel (Stockport) 75 75, Jonathan Day (Braintree) 75 75, Joe Buckley (Harrogate) 73 77, Jack Brooks (Pleasington) 72 79.

ORDER OF MERIT: 1,000pts Mark Young (Longridge); 795 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 510 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 410 Adam Andrews (Ashton-in-Makerfield); 400 Paul Kinnear (Formby); 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); 245 Liam Ball (Chorley).

Lowey has a liking for Old Links

PAUL Lowey won the Bolton Old Links Trophy for the second time in three years as three of his fellow Manxmen featured in the top 12.

The plus one player from Rowany laid the foundation for his first Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit victory of the season with an opening 68 which included four birdies on the inward half.

He added 71 to finish two shots clear on five-under-par from Chorley’s Liam Ball as first round leader Andy Runciman, from Deane, followed up a 67 with 78 to slip down the leader board into ninth place.

SCORES (Par=72): 139 Paul Lowey (Rowany) 68 71; 141 Liam Ball (Chorley) 73 68; 142 Tom Stuart (St Annes Old Links) 73 69; 143 David Jones (Bolton Old Links) 70 73, Liam Jeffery (Haigh Hall) 69 74, Daryl Callister (Mount Murray) 69 74; 144 James Newton (Prestbury) 72 72; 145 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 74 71, Andy Runciman (Deane) 67 78; 146 Brian Duggan (King Edward Bay) 74 72, Matt Taylor (Bolton Old Links) 72 74, David Jones (Ramsey) 71 75.

ORDER OF MERIT: 925pts Mark Young (Longridge); 695 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).

SFG produces green shoots for grass roots golf

Single Figure Golfer revives Open Competitions nationally!

Single Figure Golfer (SFG) is delighted to have been hailed as the much needed shot in the arm for golf competition at grassroots level and accredited with breathing new life into open competitions.

The move by SFG this year to use existing open club competitions as the backbone of its annual search for players to make up Team SFG and represent their country against the Ryder Cup stars has been welcomed with open arms by the players and clubs alike.

Apart from introducing some classic courses to serious golfers the numbers entering them has increased on average by 40%, with many events on the tour filling so quickly the clubs have a waiting list to play, as opposed to potentially being forced to cancel the event in previous years.

“There has been a decline in the number of entrants in recent years for the Bowood Bowl, culminating in the cancellation of the event last year. This year however we held the Bowl in conjunction with SFG and were rewarded with a full field of 51 players which helped to restore the Bowood Bowl as one of the leading scratch tournaments in the South West. I have recommended the SFG to some local clubs that I know have struggled to promote their events and we very much look forward to working with SFG next year.” – Paul McLean, Bowood PGA Professional

One consequence being there is now a waiting list to be on next years tour schedule with SFG planning more events to accommodate the demand from clubs whilst the demands of the golfers will see the launch of the One Golf Card next year allowing all categories of golfer experience the thrill of Open Competitions involving their peers along with added benefits.

Following on from last year’s success with the amateurs securing victory over the pro’s, the 2010 SFG Challenge Tour, again in partnership with Srixon, sees amateur golfers from across the country with a handicap of under 10 attempt to qualify for the SFG team, captained by Peter McEvoy (former successful Walker Cup captain), and compete against former Ryder, Walker and Solheim Cup players over two days at the SFG Challenge Tour final.

ZFL North East Masters Series

The long established Bank Holiday weekend double header of the Teesside Trophy (Teesside) & the George Howorth Trophy (Westerhope) showed the competitive pedigree of two double County Champions in the ZFL North East Masters.

At Teesside, Durham's Michael Curry took full advantage of ZFL leader Mark Penny's absence, firing two fine rounds of 70 in tricky conditions. Curry's four under par total gave him a one shot win over Daniel Gravis from Wheatley with defending ZFL Masters Champion Simon Lee (City of Newcastle) a shot further back.

Curry's win moved him to within 63 points of Mark Penny (Morpeth) & Lee's third place finish at Teesside eased him into third place in the ZFL table, 126 points adrift of Curry with City team mate, Phil Ridden, moving up to fourth. Penny's brother Craig has slipped down to fifth.

At the Marston & Coors sponsored Westerhope event, the roles were reversed with Mark Penny playing & Michael Curry absent this time. Penny really made it count, decimating the course & the rest of the field with two stunning rounds of 66 for a 12 under par 132 & a three shot win over Phil Ridden with Simon Lee once again third, eight shots behind. Ridden must have thought he had a chance when he followed his first round 68 with a fine 67. Before playing his putt on the 18th, he trotted over to the nearby scoreboard to check the scores. The look on his face told the story!

Mark Penny had an added bonus on the day. Reducing his exact handicap to +3.4 & supports his plans to play in as many national events as possible in 2011.

Penny has now won four of the 11 ZFL events & has a 249 point lead over Simon Lee with Curry only 14 points behind Lee. Ridden has consolidated his fourth place position whilst the ever consistent Nigel King (South Shields) has moved into fifth having scored points in eight of the 11 events.

Cumbrian star, Silloth's John Longcake, is one of two new entrants in the ZFL North East Masters top 20. His joint third place at Westerhope sees Longcake move into 10th place whilst Northumberland young gun, Richard Robson-Crosby (Ponteland), comes in at 18th after his seventh place at Westerhope.

There are now just three events left, all of them on Curry's doorstep. Next is the Bishop Auckland Bowl on September 4 followed by another double header on September 18 & 19 at Brancepeth, Curry's home club & finally Woodham. Mark Penny might have a big lead but the last two tournaments show how quickly positions can change. This year, the ZFL Masters presentation will take place at the winner's home club & it's too tight to call whether a Northumberland or Durham player will take the spoils.

After Westerhope, 122 players have scored points in the series, including 46 each from Northumberland & Durham, underlining the interest players from both Counties & further afield have in the ZFL Masters. Top five players in the table are:

01 (01) Mark Penny (Morpeth) 1090.0 points
02 (03) Simon Lee (City of Newcastle) 840.8
03 (02) Michael Curry (Brancepeth) 826.7
04 (04) Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle) 793.3
05 (06) Nigel King (South Shields) 625.0