Richie stretches lead in merit race

RICHIE Blundell extended his lead in the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit to 95 points after his victory in the Mere Trophy.

The plus two ranked player from Hillside left the rest of the field trailing in his wake with a stunning second round five-under-par 66 which included seven birdies, five on the outward half.

Added to his opening 70, he finished five shots clear of Lancashire team-mate Paul Kinnear, from Formby.

But with six events remaining, starting at Bolton Old Links on Saturday followed by Rossendale the next day, there’s still all to play for with five of the leading 10 players within striking distance of Blundell.

Long-time leader John Carroll, the Lancashire County champion from Huyton & Prescot, is lying second 35 points in front of Blackburn’s Steve McGlynn while title holder Mark Young, from Longridge, is 290 adrift in fourth spot.

SCORES (Par=71): 136 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 70 66; 141 Paul Kinnear (Formby) 70 71; 142 Henry Featherstone (Ringway) 72 70; 145 Rob Fawcett (Dukinfield) 73 72, James Newton (Prestbury) 72 73; 146 Gareth Hastie (Dunscar) 74 72; 147 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 73 74, James Bolton (Formby) 71 76; 148 Martin Leese (Sandiway) 76 72, Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 75 73, Nick Tomlinson (Mold) 75 73, Mark Young (Longridge) 71 77.

STANDINGS: 905 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 710 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 675 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 615 Mark Young (Longridge); 525 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 400 James Bolton (Formby); 360 James Newton (Prestbury); 350 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 330 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield), 325 Henry Featherstone (Ringway).

Play one of Yorkshire's finest

Don't miss out on the opportunity to play one of Yorkshire's finest golf courses later this year.

Moortown Golf Club - annual golf day venue

Our very own annual golf day will once again take place at the fantastic Moortown Golf Club, a former Ryder Cup venue and current top 100 course in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

The Individual Stableford competition will be held on Friday 28th October 2011. As well as nett prizes we also award a voucher for the lowest gross score and in 2011 we are introducing a prize for the best round by a senior golfer (50+ years).

Summary:

• Friday 28th October 2011
• 18 Hole Individual Stableford
• £50 per person
• 3/4 handicap allowance (max 18 shots)
• Tee times 9am to 11.30am
• Gross, nett & best seniors (50+) prizes.

How to enter:

You can download & return the entry-form or alternatively enter & pay online.

Accrington & District Winter Series

Accrington & District Golf Club have just announced three new events that will take place later this year.

The popular club are running a series of three Gents 4-Ball Betterball competitions during September, October and November.

Entry is fantastic value at just £15 per pair which includes a bacon roll and coffee on arrival. As you can imagine places will be snapped up quickly so don't delay if you want to take part in any or all of the tournaments.

Entry-forms can be found below:

• Event #1: 29th September 2011
• Event #2: 27th October 2011
• Event #3: 24th November2011

Accrington & District is a friendly club, situated between Accrington and Blackburn and is easily accessible from the M65 motorway.

The course is maintained in superb condition and is a good test for even the best amateur golfer. There are excellent catering facilities within the recently extended clubhouse.

There are also a number of other events at Accrington still to enter.

Keswick Golf Club Opens

Keswick Golf Club have provided details about two events that will take place later this year.

The first is a Ladies Pairs Open that will be held on Saturday 10th September. This is a 4BBB Stableford (3/4 handicap) with an entry-fee of just £15 per pair. The maximum handicap limit is 36 and places are expected to be snapped up quickly.

The second tournament is a Seniors Mixed Open and is also a 4BBB Stableford (3/4 handicap). This event takes place on Tuesday 20th September and is open to golfers aged 55+ years with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). Entry is good value at £20 per couple.

About the course

At the beautiful heart of the English Lake District, Keswick Golf Club offers a unique golfing experience, with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Lakeland Fells, including Blencathra, Skiddaw and the Helvellyn Range.

This 18 hole course offers a delightful and varied experience for golfers of all abilities.

Measuring just over 6,200 yards off the championship tees, the par of 71 confirms that a round of great character awaits. The inspired use of the natural features of the landscape, tree-lined fairways and well-located greens, combine to provide an unforgettable round of golf.

Hanson claims third win of season

Chris Hanson stormed to his third victory of the season on the PGA EuroPro Tour.

Hanson, a winner at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and Bovey Castle in Devon, cruised to the win in the Network Veka Classic as he won by seven shots at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

It means Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield) becomes the first man to win a trio of EPT events in the same year since Graeme Clark did likewise in 2007.

An opening day score of 67 (-5) gave him a share of the lead after the opening day before a sensational effort of 63 (-9) on Thursday gave him a huge advantage.

Any slight hopes any other golfer may have had of lifting the trophy ended earlier on Friday when Hanson made birdies at the first, eighth and tenth.

He made bogeys at two successive holes – the 13th and 14th – but never looked in danger of losing his lead.

Hanson collects £10,000 for the victory to take his total season earnings to more than £36,000, a total of £12,000 more than any other golfer on the Tour this year.

Kevin Harper (East Devon) had only made the cut at two out of eight events but rounds of 69 (-3), 71 (-1) and 68 (-3) left him in second place on eight-under.

Four players – Liam Burns, Zane Scotland, Sean Whiffin and Jon White - finished in tied third on six-under, while James Busby, Trevor Jones, Craig Housden and Andrew Willey ended on five-under.

Luke Goddard was one of seven men on four-under and that result of tied 11th keeps Goddard in third spot on the Order of Merit list.

There are only two events of the EuroPro Tour with the next one coming from Hunley Hall in South Yorkshire from Wednesday, September 14 to Friday, September 16.

After that comes the Tour finale, The Tour Championships, and details of this will be announced shortly. At the end of the Tour Championships the top five players on the Order of Merit will qualify for next season’s Challenge Tour.

Matchroom Sport have filmed all the action from Mottram Hall and a two-hour highlights programme will appear on Sky Sports on Wednesday, September 7.

Ampfield ready for Short Course Championship

Ampfield Golf & Country Club is ready to host Friday's Hampshire PGA Short Course Championship on the 26th August.

76 competitors will be taking part in the Championship including defending Champion Ben Stimson (Paultons Golf Centre).

Other contenders include Jon Barnes, Mark Treleaven, Steve Richardson and Gary Stubbington.

Play commences at 11.00am.

Extra special Smith wins Leeds Cup

DAVID Smith won the De Vere Leeds Cup, professional golf oldest trophy, after a dramatic play-off at Oulton Hall.

The Swinton Park man overcame local challenger Ben Mason, competing in his first PGA North Region tournament after 11 years on the European Tour, with a birdie at the third extra hole.

And he revealed: “This is the tournament I’ve always wanted to win. It has so much history attached to and to have my name etched on it along with some of the most famous players of the past is a great honour.”

Smith, who won the Manchester Open in 2007, looked to have one hand on the huge silver trophy when Mason, who represents Waterford Golf, bunkered his third shot at the second sudden death hole.

The former England international executed his escape shot perfectly as the ball skipped into cup to keep his hopes alive.

But it sands of time literally ran out for him when he beached his drive at the next hole and after Smith had pitched to 18 inches he secured a decisive birdie.

The pair were deadlocked on 10-under-par at the end of the second round in which they were playing companions, with Smith, the 38-year-old Lancashire PGA captain, closing with a second successive 66 and Mason tagging a 65 to his opening 67.

“I played solidly all day and made some crucial putts including one at the 17th which tied the scores,” said Smith who after missing the cut in last week’s James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore sought help from his coach David Screeton at Marriott Worsley Park.

“He improved my set-up and I put into practice what he taught me,” he added.

Mason, 34 and in his first year as a PGA trainee, was gracious in defeat but admitted it’s his ambition to win the Leeds Cup.

“I used to watch the tournament as a boy and have always admired the likes of past players such as Hedley and Duncan Muscroft,” he said.

Round of the day was a 65 by 2007 winner John Wells, fresh from his Blackpool triumph, which saw him birdie eight of the first nine holes.

“That was a personal best,” said the Cherry Burton professional who finished a shot off the pace.

LEADING SCORES: 132 David Smith (Swinton Park) 66 66, Ben Mason (Waterfront Golf) 67 65. Smith won at third extra hole. 133 John Wells(Cherry Burton) 70 63; 134 Graham Cox (Davenport) 68 66, Michael Ramsden (Bondhay) 65 69; 137 Allyn Laing (Mount Murray) 70 67, Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 68 67, Michael Nesbit (Westerhope) 66 71, Mark Hancock (Bolton Old Links) 64 73, Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks) 65 72; 138 John Graham (Silloth-on-Solway) 71 67, David Clark (Morpeth) 69 69, Will Barnes (Garstang) 68 70, James Drinkall (Allenthorpe Park) 68 70; 139 Chris Sands (Skycaddie UK) 71 68, Mark Ridley (South Moor) 70 69, Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere) 69 70, Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe) 68 71, Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 66 73, Nick Ludwell (Selby) 66 73; 140 David Green (Dukinfield) 70 70, Danny Walsh (Garforth) 71 69, Chris Gray (Cottingham) 65 75; 141 Vincent Guest (Teesside) 70 71, Robert Booth (Halifax Bradley Hall) 70 71, Gareth Jones (Sandiway) 69 72 , Oliver Cross (Brough) 68 73.

Unstoppable Hanson closing in on another win

Chris Hanson is closing in on becoming the first man since 2007 to win three PGA EuroPro Tour events in the same season.

Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield), who triumphed at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and Bovey Castle in Devon, is heading for victory in the Network Veka Classic at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

He started day two level with two other players but a stunning second round saw him move into a seven-shot lead.

His second round started in perfect fashion with an eagle at the first with birdies following at the second, fourth, eighth and ninth before he made another three birdies in an effort of 63 (-9).

Tyrrell Hatton (Harleyford, Buckinghamshire), a former Walker Cup player, was playing in his first professional event and started with a steady 72 on Wednesday.

However, he found his form on Thursday as he scored 65 (-7) in a round that included eight birdies and a bogey and left him in tied second.

Ian Winstantley (Warrington) is on course for his best performance of the season as he is also on -7 after scores of 68 (-4) and 69 (-3).

This is only the second time in seven events he has made the cut and will be hoping to finish higher than the 24th spot he occupied at Fota Island.

At the start of the second day, three men – Luke Goddard, Craig Housden (Channels, Chelmsford) and Hanson – shared the lead after shooting 67 (-5) on the first day.

Goddard (Hendon) was the first of the trio to play on Thursday and moved into an outright lead with three birdies in the opening four holes.

However, he suffered a disappointing back nine with a double bogey at the 14th and bogeys at the 13th, 16th and 17th.

Housden’s hopes of winning his first EuroPro Tour event were dashed with a double bogey at the second and a bogey at the third, although he later recovered to also be on -7, with Andrew Willey also on the same score.

The top 50 players and ties have advanced to Friday’s final round where the winner will collect £10,000.

Matchroom Sport are filming all the action and a two-hour highlights package will appear on Sky Sports on Wednesday, September 7.

Oh baby, Hancock leads in Leeds

MARK Hancock has been smiling since the day he became a dad for the first time three weeks ago.

Now his grin is even wider after he powered to a seven-under-par 64 to set the first round pace in the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall.

And the 33-year-old Bolton Old Links assistant, who leads professional golf’s oldest trophy by a shot from a trio of Yorkshire players, achieved his career-best score with a second hand putter and borrowed range finder.

“My whole life changed when my daughter Elvie was born,” he revealed.

“Golf suddenly seemed secondary and maybe not taking it quite so seriously has helped me to relax.

“I played aggressively, going for shots I might not have previously taken on, and no longer had any self doubt.

“It makes me wonder what I’ve been doing since I turned professional 13 years ago. All I’ve had to show for my efforts so far are a couple of wins on a minor tour and in the Manchester Alliance.”

Hancock could not afford the luxury of a range finder so he was lent one by a PGA staff member. And before he left for Leeds he procured a £39 putter from the bargain barrel at Old Links.

“I’ll have to buy it now,” he laughed. “I can’t remember the last time I played so well on the greens.”

His longest putt was from 12 yards on the 17th – the last of six birdies in a round highlighted by an eagle at the 527-yard 13th where he arrowed a six-iron to eight feet.

Chris Gray rolled back the years as he posted a 65 in a tournament he won a quarter of a century ago at Otley and when he was assistant at Lindrick.

The Cottingham professional, who celebrates his 49th birthday next week, also had a grand day out with the short stick, “It was all down to putting,” he admitted. “I felt I just could not miss on greens that were in superb condition.”

His score was matched newly-appointed Mid Yorkshire club pro Aran Wainwright, who won the Spirotech Open in Manchester earlier this month, and Bondhay’s Michael Ramsden, runner-up in last week’s James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.

LEADING SCORES: 64 Mark Hancock (Bolton Old Links); 65 Chris Gray (Cottingham), Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks), Michael Ramsden (Bondhay) ; 66 Nick Ludwell (Selby), Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), David Smith (Swinton Park), Michael Nesbit (Westerhope); 67 Ben Mason (Waterfront), 68 James Drinkall (Allerthorpe Park), Will Barnes (Garstang); Graham Cox (Davenport).

Three share the lead in Cheshire

Craig Housden produced his best round of the season to share the lead after the opening day of the latest event in the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour season.

Housden (Channels, Chelmsford) shot an opening round of 67 (-5) in the Network Veka Classic at De Vere Mottram Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

After finishing tied 26th and 47th in the first two events of the season, Housden then missed the cut at the next seven tournaments and withdrew during his first round earlier this month at Lingfield Park.

However, he found his form on the first day of the 11th competition with a round that included an eagle at the last and birdies at the first, fifth, sixth and ninth.

He is well-placed to claim the £10,000 winner’s prize, although a bogey at the 13th denied him an outright lead at the end of the opening day.

While Housden is enjoying his best performance of the year, joint leader Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield) has maintained his incredible run of form that has seen him top the Order of Merit and already secure a place on next season’s Challenge Tour.

Hanson, who is aiming for his third event victory of 2011, is also on five-under after an eagle at the fourth, birdies at the first, seventh, ninth, 15th and 18th and bogeys at the 13th and 17th.

Luke Goddard (Hendon) has enjoyed an incredible run in August having come tied second at Formby Hall in Merseyside and then winning at Lingfield Park in Surrey.

He is in contention again as he is alongside Housden and Hanson on five-under after a round that included six birdies and a bogey.

Andrew Willey (Notts) and Jon White (Saunton, Devon) are among those a shot back on four-under with Willey aiming for his second win in four events after triumphing at the Players Club in Bristol last month.

A total of 24 players are within two shots of each other and it promises to be a thrilling tournament.

All the players will play a second round on Thursday and after that the top 50 players plus ties will advance to the final round on Friday.

Matchroom Sport will produce a two-hour highlights package from this tournament which will be broadcast on Sky Sports on Wednesday, September 7.

Highland Spring keeps the Four Nations refreshed

Highland Spring Group , the UK’s largest supplier and producer of bottled water, has teamed up with Concierge Golf Limited to support the 2011 Four Nations Golf Challenge , sponsored by Golf Plus Direct -' Golf Fees Made Easy', supplying competitors at the Final Qualifying event at Astbury Hall on 5th September and the Grand Final at The Oxfordshire from 25th to 28th September.

Highland Spring already has a long standing relationship with golf and is the official water supplier to many golfing events across the country.

Leah Holmes of Highland Spring Group said, “We work very hard to promote the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle and we are committed to forging the link between active sport and good hydration. By supporting these important golf tournaments, we hope to raise awareness about the many benefits to both leading professionals and golfers of any level in drinking enough water to keep their concentration on every shot.”

Stewart Marshall, Director of Concierge Golf Limited, the owners and organisers of the Four Nations Golf Challenge, said; “We are delighted to have partnered with such a renowned brand as Highland Spring and be able to provide our Final Qualifying and Grand Final competitors with quality refreshment”.

Bottling over 350 million litres of water a year, The Highland Spring Group produces brands including Highland Spring, Speyside Glenlivet, Hydr8 and Gleneagles and a range of private label flavoured and unflavoured waters for some of the UK’s major supermarkets and food service retailers. Based in Blackford, Perthshire, the Group employs more than 400 staff.

The 2011 Grand Final of the Four Nations Golf Challenge is to be broadcast on Sky Sports and, since May, club golfers across the four nations of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been battling through regional brackets to earn their chance to represent the Champion Golf Nation of the Year.

For full information click onto www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk or call 01276 35505. Highland Spring www.highland-spring.com

Langley Park Golf Club Offers

New Green Fee Offers

Special rate of only £25 from 1st October to 31st March! 

Play any Monday or Thursday afternoon (all year) at a reduced green fee of only £25 (subject to availability - please phone the Pro shop first on 0208 658 6849).

Autumn & Winter Golf Package (1st October 2011 to 31st March 2012)

Take advantage of this new special package designed for this autumn and winter!! Contact the Club on 0208 658 6849 or on manager@langleyparkgolf.co.uk

Package 1

Coffee/tea and Full English Breakfast - 18 holes of golf = £25.00

Package 2

Coffee/tea and Full English Breakfast – 18 holes of golf + soup and sandwiches = £30.00

Package 3

Coffee/tea and bacon rolls – 18 holes of golf + 2 course lunch or dinner = £30.00

Additional Services

Nearest the pin, longest drive, presentation table, buggies (x2), electric trolleys.

See ‘Society page’ for details of menu choices

About the course...

Langley Park golf course was designed by J.H.Taylor (one of the “triumvirate") who won the Open Championship on 5 occasions.

The course was built as a parkland site, opening in 1910, and was formerly part of the Goodhart Estate and still retains much of the original flat terrain dominated by many maturing oak trees. It is a haven of peace and solitude which is surprising considering its close proximity to the centre of London.

More information at www.langleyparkgolf.co.uk

No place like home for Simon

SIMON Edwards made most of local knowledge to win the £6,000 Lakes Classic at Windermere.

The PGA Cup player, in his fourth year as professional at the Cumbria club, posted rounds of 63 and 62 for a nine-under-par total which left him four ahead of the field.

Styal-attached Jon Cheetham shared second place with former Kendal pro Peter Scott and Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Golf Range.

DETAILS: 125 Simon Edwards (Windermere) 63 62; 129 Jon Cheetham (Styal) 65 64, Peter Scott (PSGA) 66 63, Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range) 69 60; 130 Chris Crowder (Lee Park) 64 66; 131 Andrew Baguley (Leigh) 65 66, David Smith (Swinton Park) 66 65; Richard Bean (Wychwood Park) 65 68, Mark Bradley (Chorley) 68 65.

Blundell moves into pole position

LANCASHIRE champion John Carroll lost his place at the top of the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit he had held since the start of the season as the race for the coveted title gained impetus.

The Huyton & Prescot man gave way to county team-mate Richie Blundell, runner-up last year, after a close finish in the Revidge Cannon at Blackburn.

Clitheroe one handicapper Daniel Nutter took the honours thanks to a sparkling second round 66 which he attached to his opening 73.

His three-under-par total was matched by host club player Steve McGlynn and Hillside’s Blundell who, despite finishing third on countback, did enough to establish a 45-point lead over Carroll.

McGlynn, runner-up in the Lee Westwood Trophy at Rotherham last week after leading for three rounds before losing by two shots to Hawkstone Park’s Ashley Chesters, rose to third in the merit 80 points off the pace.

There are six events remaining starting at Mere next Monday.

Meanwhile, Clitheroe’s Mark Ashworth tied fourth a shot off the pace in the Revidge Cannon which he had won for the previous three years.

SCORES (Par=71): 139 Daniel Nutter (Clitheroe) 73 66, Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 71 68, Richie Blundell (Hillside) 67 72; 140 Mark Young (Longridge) 71 69, Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 70 70; 141 Nick Uttley (Nelson) 68 73; 142 Anthony Harwood (Blackburn) 77 65; 143 John Reed (Blackburn) 72 71, Michael Hartley (Fairhaven) 72 71; 144 G Byrne (Clitheroe) 74 70; 146 D Pickard (Accrington) 75 71, T Stanley (Clitheroe) 74 72.

STANDINGS: 755 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 710 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 675 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 605 Mark Young (Longridge); 525 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 370 James Bolton (Formby); 350 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 310 Kris Taylor (Formby), James Newton (Prestbury); 270 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield), Daniel Nutter (Clitheroe).

Full order of merit after Revidge Cannon

The full Northern Order of Merit table following the 29th event of the season, the Revidge Cannon at Blackburn Golf Club, can be seen below.

Richie Blundell took over at the top of the leader-board from long time leader, John Carroll, after finishing third at Blackburn.

Richie Blundell , Hillside = 755
John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 710
Stephen McGlynn , Blackburn = 675
Mark Young , Longridge = 605
Sean Towndrow , Southport & Ainsdale = 525
James Bolton , Formby = 370
Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 350
Kris Taylor , Formby = 310
James Newton , Prestbury = 310
Robert Fawcett , Dukinfield = 270
Daniel Nutter , Clitheroe = 270
Mark Rabone , Southport & Ainsdale = 255
Mark Geddes , Prenton = 250
Henry Featherstone , Ringway = 250
Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 240
Reece Cranfield , Haigh Hall = 235
Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 225
Mark Duncalf , Formby = 215
Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 210
Dan Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 210
Fraser Macleod , Hazel Grove = 195
James McCormick , Styal = 180
Paul Kinnear , Formby = 170
Sean Comiskey , Gathurst = 170
Brian Hughes , Hillside = 165
Paul Howard , Southport & Ainsdale = 165
Tony Harwood , Blackburn = 160
Trevor Foster , Accrington = 150
Kris Sutcliffe , Crompton & Royton = 150
Roger Smithies , Manchester = 145
Gareth Bradley , Bramhall = 140
Steve Watton , Enville = 135
Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 130
Gareth Hastie , Dunscar = 120
Daryl Callister , Mount Murray = 110
Will Shucksmith , Alwoodley = 105
Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 105
Nick Uttley , Nelson = 105
Jack Sant , Ladbrook Park = 100
Nick Jackson , Chorley = 100
Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 100
Daniel Creaney , S&A = 100
Nick Tomlinson , Mold = 100
Mike Howard , Royal Birkdale = 95
Josh Simms , Caldy = 90
Ryan Corbett , West Lancs = 90
Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills = 80
Marcus Mohr , Bromborough = 75
Michael Hearn , Bolton = 75
Ian Hardman , Accrington = 75
Craig Fort , Nelson = 75
Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 70
Joe Sephton , Prenton = 70
Josh Garside , Prestbury = 70
Louis Tomlinson , Haydock Park = 65
Mark Tomlinson , Mold = 60
Luke Mighall , Prenton = 60
Rikus Nortje , South Africa = 60
Phil Stanley , Penwortham = 60
Patrick Bell , Royal Lytham = 60
Jack Bottomly-Clift , Crompton & Royton = 60
Jack Barnes , Whitefield = 60
Russell Hayhoe , Ponteland = 55
David Ashley , Royal North Devon = 50
Oliver Carr , Ulverston = 50
Ryan Gillespie , Hillside = 50
Christopher Higham , Hesketh = 50
Paul Langford , Wallasey = 50
Jack Garrood , Pinner Hill = 50
Chris Howard , Manchester = 50
Shaun Field , Nelson = 50
Jonathan Hurst , Pleasington = 50
Josh Evans , Mere = 50
Jason McGarthy , Whitefield = 50
Matthew Cox , Royal Birkdale = 50
Jason Timmis , Newcastle-u-Lyme = 50
Conor Murphy , Denton = 50
Glenn Senior , Lee Park = 45
Simon Davies , Meltham = 45
Alex Pritchard , Wallasey = 45
Louis Laviscount , Wilpshire = 45
Lee Meyers , Fairhaven = 45
Jordan Jones , Delamere Forest = 45
Rob Law , Laithes = 40
Andrew Molloy , Hillside = 40
Paul Bartlet , Ashton & Lea = 40
Jordan Flint , Manchester = 40
Tom Woods , Bromborough = 40
Ian Meads , Ellesmere = 40
Scott McRindle , Prenton = 40
Richard Pickard , Mere = 40
Sean Nicholls , Pleasington = 40
Paul Sargent , Haydock Park = 40
Tom Mortimer , Stockport = 40
Kevin Brown , Bromborough = 40
Michael Hartley , Fairhaven = 40
Sam Townend , Wilpshire = 35
Daniel Sefton , Lancaster = 30
Sean Blinkhorn , Southport & Ainsdale = 30
Andy Simpson , Crompton & Royton = 30
Mark Gregson , Formby = 30
Ben Ewen , Wilpshire = 30
Chris Owens , West Derby = 30
Gary Burgess , Grange Park = 30
Jon Beesley , Mere = 30
John Reeds , Blackburn = 30
Liam Jeffrey , Haigh Hall = 25
Anthony Stirling , Formby = 25
Lee Wain , Trentham Park = 25
Tom Winn , Morecambe = 25
James Frizzell , Crompton & Royton = 25
Sean Millward , Caldy = 25
Anthony Holden , Preston = 25
Harry Hulme , Mere = 25
Josh Cowley , Huyton & Prescot = 25
Lee Rowbottom , Werneth = 20
Dean Moseley , Blackpool North Shore = 20
Joe Collier , Reddish Vale = 20
Liam Ball , Bolton Old Links = 20
Grant Little , Brampton = 20
Jonathan Greenhough , Grange Park = 20
G Byrne , Clitheroe = 20
David Ianson , Penwortham = 15
Andrew Michie , Ashton & Lea = 15
James Gillesbie , Morecambe = 15
Craig Bolton , Penwortham = 15
Niel Williams , Pleasington = 15
Frazer Sidebottom , Ashton-under-Lyne = 15
David Collis , Blackpool North Shore = 15
Charles Durnian , Fairhaven = 15
Edward Battye , Bradley Park = 15
Alistair Waddle , Styal = 15
Gary Lacy , Ashton-in-Makerfield = 15
D Pickard , Accrington = 15
Dominic Barnes , Caldy = 10
Freddie Williams , Prenton = 10
Jon Moxon Brown , Wallasey = 10
Charlie Ellis , Nelson = 10
Jordan Abbott , Crompton & Royton = 10
Kyle Evans , Prenton = 10
Alex Croston , Fleetwood = 10
Craig Lewis , Prenton = 10
Andrew Hardie , Astbury = 10
Scott Kempson , Hazel Grove = 10
T Stanley , Clitheroe = 10

Hatfield London Country Club Gents Open

A men's open golf competition will take place at Hatfield London Country Club on Saturday 17th September.

The event is a Singles Stableford played on the new course. The maximum handicap limit is 18 and the entry-fee is £45.

Included in the day are coffee & bacon rolls on arrival and a BBQ lunch afterwards.

There will also be a presentation from the guest speaker Neil 'Razor' Ruddock (please contact the club directly for details to play in the same group as Neil Ruddock). DOWNLOAD AN ENTRY-FORM

About the new course at Hatfield London...

The new course, created by the landscape design company and opened in 1992, is over 7000 yards.

The 4th is a monster of a par-5 at 644 yards and even those who think they are prodigious stickers of the ball; this is definitely a regulation 3-shot hole, with the fairway ending some 70 yards short, and water running in front.

The back nine starts with a fairly searching par-4 and the par-5 12th is another huge hole, of particular note, two very well placed bunkers, short of the green, waiting to swallow up any aggressive second shot.

The 14th and 15th offer a little respite, although the latter has water down the left that comes to play both from the tee and onto the greens.

Well placed bunkers down the fairway mean accuracy is imperative on the 17th, while the final hole is a brute of a par-4 from the back tee.

Autumn Pro-Am at Oulton Hall

We're delighted to be supporting the Seeitnowsports.com Autumn Pro-Am at the 5-star De Vere Oulton Hall on Tuesday 11th October 2011.

A team of four (3 amateurs & 1 pro) costs just £195 to enter - this includes brunch on arrival, 18 holes of golf with a professional golfer and a 4-course evening meal plus an excellent prize table. 

A professional can be assigned to you if required or you can bring your own!

Places will be allocated in order of receipt so download an entry-form (pdf) or contact James on 07531 286977 or by email james@seeitnowsports.com to secure a place.

Fly to France with the Hampshire PGA!

The Hampshire PGA is inviting Hampshire's golfers to take part in its GRAND DRAW and win yourself a flight to France and a day's Golf.

The flight, from Goodwood to Le Touquet, comes courtesy of CONCIAIR.

CONCIAIR will fly you and three friends to Le Touquet where you will enjoy a round of golf and lunch before your return flight to Goodwood.

All you have to do is purchase a GRAND DRAW ticket from your Hampshire PGA Professional for the chance to win this fabulous prize. Other prizes include a round of golf at Remedy Oak, a days Golf School at Alresford for 9 people and a set of Wilson irons.

Tickets cost £5.00 each and can be purchased until the end of August.

The Draw takes place on Wednesday 7th September.

GB&I players in Leeds Cup field

FOUR out of five North Region players in the 10-strong Great Britain and Ireland team for next month's PGA Cup against the United States in southern California peg up in the £12,500 De Vere Leeds Cup which starts next Wednesday (Aug 24) at Oulton Hall.

Two of them already have their names inscribed on professional golf's oldest trophy - John Wells, from east Yorkshire club Cherry Burton, won in 2007 and Windermere's Simon Edwards two years earlier.

And they are among the favourites in the 36-hole tournament spread over two days and preceded by a pro-am.

Wells says the honour of playing for his country inspired him this week when he won the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.

"The Leeds Cup will help me to keep my game sharp for when we take on the Americans," he said.

Edwards is an old hand in the biennial battle, representing his country in 2003 and 2005, the last time GB&I prevailed.

Also California dreaming are David Shacklady, the Mossock Hall man with more than 200 assorted victories to his name, and Ganton's long-serving professional Gary Brown.

Shacklady, who holds a 245-point lead over last month's Spirotech Open winner Aran Wainwright in a tightly packed Order of Merit table, claimed his first ranking title in the Kerry Investments Cumbria Classic in the spring and is eager to add to his tally at Oulton Hall.

Steve Parry defends the crown he earned when he beat Hillsborough assistant Mark Allen by two shots in a season he swept all before him.

First to tee off is Cottingham's Chris Gray who won the famous silver trophy as a Lindrick assistant 25 years ago, breaking the course record with a seven-under-par 63 at Otley.

He's one of eight former winners in contention including Styal's Jon Cheetham and Eaglescliffe's Graeme Bell - the last North Easterner to prevail in 2002.

Big two aim to make a splash in the Lakes

PGA Cup players David Shacklady and Simon Edwards head a 45-strong professional line-up in the £7,000 Lakes Classic pro-am at Windermere this weekend.

The best-of-pals are among five North Region players in the 10-man side to face the United States in the biennial match in Southern Californian next month.

And Edwards, who made his second successive appearance in the Open Championship at Royal St George’s in five weeks ago, should have the edge over his team-mate because he is pro at the scenic Cumbria club.

The pair have won their fair share of regional honours over the years but Shacklady is ahead of his adversary in the pro-am stakes – he’s won more 200!

The field also includes former European Tour player, Wilmslow-based Neal Briggs, now a rules official on the circuit, and Newcastle’s Michael Archer.

The action starts on Saturday.

Wells has the wind in his sails

JOHN Wells breezed to a three shot victory in the James Brierley Lancashire Open then revealed he always plays better in the wind.

“I feel I have a big advantage because I enjoy the challenge of controlling the ball in those conditions,” said the 33-year-old professional from Yorkshire club Cherry Burton.

“I think about each shot more which keeps me disciplined so I regarded it as a blessing when I arrived at the course and saw the bent flag sticks - but I bet no-one else did!”

Wells, joint leader overnight, added a 67 to his opening 64 to post an impressive 11-under-par total but he only asserted his authority on the proceedings on the inward stretch.

He was briefly threatened by fellow Yorkshireman Michael Ramsden and Ellesmere assistant Martyn Hamer, trying to emulate his dad Steve who won the title twice an amateur in the 1980s.

But Wells stepped up a gear and reeled off a quartet of birdies from the 13th and never looked like being caught from then on in.

“I didn’t know the situation until after I played my second shot at the last. I try not to dwell on what’s going on elsewhere and just get on with my own game,” he said.

He also admitted that he was inspired by his pal Aran Wainwright, from Mid Yorks Golf Club, who won the Spirotech Open two weeks ago.

“I missed the cut in Manchester but, like him, I led from the front in this one,” said the first Yorkshireman to claim the title in a tournament upgraded from county to a full PGA North Region Order of Merit event last year.

Ramsden finished second after a closing 70 to pair with his first round 65, while Hamer was a shot back in joint third place with Westerhope’s George Cowan.

Meanwhile, Wells is hoping to stay in the right groove for next week’s De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall, which he won in 2007.

And that would serve as another confidence booster ahead of his PGA Cup debut against the United States in southern California next month.

“Somehow I don’t think it will be as windy over there but I can only hope,” he added.

LEADING SCORES (Par =71): 131 John Wells (Cherry Burton) 64 67; 135 Michael Ramsden (Bondhay) 65 70; 136 Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere) 65 71, George Cowan (Westerhope) 65 71; 137 Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks) 69 68, David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 67 70, Jon Cheetham (Styal) 67 70, Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 65 72; 138 Steve Parry (NW Golf School) 70 68, David Brunton (Ringway) 69 69, Lee Rooke (Vale of Llangollen) 68 70, Paul Simpson (Luton Hoo Hotel) 67 71, Liam Hunt (High Legh Park) 66 72, Nigel Parkinson (Renishaw Park) 65 73; 139 Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 64 75; 140 Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall) 71 69, Chris Clarke (Gathurst) 69 71, Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range) 68 72.

Door opens for Lancs pros

CHESHIRE and North Wales professionals have invited their Lancashire counterparts to compete in their Open at Mobberley next month.

The tournament is being sponsored for the first time by Sandbach-based Bathgate Group and has been extended into the Red Rose county to ensure a full field.

“We are keen to develop the event now we have a backer,” said PGA North Region secretary Graham Maly.

“We’ve already launched a Lancs, Cheshire and North Wales Tour this season so it’s only a natural progression to bolt on this tournament which is on September 20-21.

“It carries a £4,000 prize-fund so there’s all to play for.”

The sponsor is the parent company of Bathgate Silica Sand, a major UK supplier of sand, root zone and top dressings for golf courses for more than 60 years.

You’re looking swell, Wells!

THERE’S nothing like being picked for your country to raise your game.

John Wells, a professional at East Yorkshire club Cherry Burton, can’t wait to make his debut in the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup side to face the United in southern California next month.

And after cruising round Blackpool North Shore in 64 shots to share the first round lead in the £10,000 James Brearley Lancashire Open he’s hit top form just at the right time.

“I’ve was struggling a few weeks ago but everything’s started to click into place again,” said the 33-year-old after rolling in seven birdies and never looked like dropping a shot.

“We had a team get-together last week and the spirit and optimism was high so perhaps that’s rubbed off on me,” added Wells, one of five regional players in the 10-strong line-up.

In truth he and co-leader Barry Taylor, a two-time winner of the event before it was upgraded into a full PGA North Region Order of Merit tournament last season, enjoyed the best of the weather at breezy Blackpool.

Taylor, from Houghwood, also signed for a flawless round after hitting every fairway and green in regulation.

“I played textbook golf,” he said.

Styal-attached Jon Cheetham, who prevailed in 1998, set the morning pace with a 67 in a testing wind but there was a stampede of playing clenching sub-par rounds when conditions improved.

LEADERS (Par=71): 64 John Wells (Cherry Burton), Barry Taylor (Houghwood); 65 Michael Ramsden (Bondhay), Nigel Parkinson (Renishaw Park), George Cowan (Westerhope), Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere); 66 Liam Hunt (High Legh Park), James Barr (Chilli Dip Academy); 67 Jon Cheetham (Styal), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range), Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Steve Harrison (Stocksfield), Paul Simpson (Luton Hoo Hotel); 68 John Twissell (Garstang), Will Barnes (Garstang), Mark Sheppard (Darland), Graham Cox (Davenport), Lee Rooke (Vale of Llangollen), Scott Jackson (Disley); 69 Phil Kelly (St Annes Old Links), Joe Senior (Heysham), David Brunton (Sale), Jamie Garner (Sandfield Golf Range), John Cheetham (Marriott Worsley Park), Grant Hamerton (Brookdale), Danny Walsh (Garforth), Matthew Tottey (North Wales Golf Range), Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks), Chris Clarke (Gathurst), Chris Crowder (Lee Park), James Sibbles (Bradford), Paul Fiddes (Matfen Hall).

Cloke makes it four wins in five years at Southwood

Andrew Cloke (Sherfield Oaks) emphasised his liking for Southwood Golf Club with his fourth pro-am win in five years at the Farnborough course.

Cloke shot two rounds of 67 for a four-under-par total of 134 to take victory by two shots from Rob Gowers (South Winchester) and Chris Hudson (Southwood).

Hudson had a one/two in the Pro-am with his morning round team of Phil Hudson, Nikki Kelly and Terry Watts winning on 119 and his afternoon round team of Chris Lambert, Steve Dicker and Geoff Thomas coming second on 121.

Ampfield’s Jon Barnes was third with D Pullan, G Howes and M Reed (123) with Hockley’s Gary Stubbington in fourth with Peter Trowsdale, Alan Digweed and Chad Gurumg (124).

Other prize-winners included Jason Turner, Mark Bassett, Peter Price, Frank May, Harry Martin, Kay Finley, Martin Rudderham and Phil Hudson.

The Southwood GC Charity Pro-Am was celebrating its 24th anniversary and in that time the Tournament has raised over £50,000 for local charities. This year’s charity was the Rushmoor Carers Support Group.

Sponsors included The Swan Inn, Club-Clean, Company Moves, Oakray Services, Alexander’s Care and Support Agency, Sustainable Options, Rushmoor Rotary Club, The Prince of Wales and The Gas Network.

The Tournament was organised by Southwood Golf Club and the Rotary Club of Rushmoor.

Leading Professional scores:

Andrew Cloke (Sherfield Oaks) 67+67 134

Rob Gowers (South Winchester) 69+67 136

Chris Hudson (Southwood) 67+69 136

Steve Richardson (Lee-on-the-Solent) 68+69 137

David Porter (Wellow) 72+65 137

Ben Cummings (Basingstoke) 69+69 138

Leading Pro-Am Team scores:

Chris Hudson, Phil Hudson, Nikki Kelly & Terry Watts 119

Chris Hudson, Chris Lambert, Steve Dicker & Geoff Thomas 121

Jon Barnes (Ampfield), D Pullan, G Howes & M Reed 123

Gary Stubbington (Hockley), Peter Trowsdale, Alan Digweed & Chad Gurumg 124

James Mitchell (Shanklin & Sandown), Rob Stevens, Mitch Carter & Simon Pitcher 124

Andrew Cloke, Jason Turner, Eugene Slevin & Paul Terry 126

Home, James! Newton leads the way

ENGLAND player James Newton homed in on the Prestbury Open to win his second Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit title of the season.

The 16-year-old Cheshire player, widely tipped as the next David Horsey, produced nine birdies all told in rounds of 70 and 69 for a four-under-par total.

But the plus two handicapper, winner of the Hulbert Trophy at Manchester Hopwood in June, was pursued all the way to the final green by Bramhall veteran Gareth Bradley.

The former Cheshire captain was a shot adrift as host club player Josh Garside finished third, two off the pace and on countback from Blackburn’s Steve McGlynn.

And Hillside’s Richie Blundell closed the gap on Lancashire team-mate John Carroll, the county champion from Huyton & Prescot, to 30 points with McGlynn in third spot 135 in arrears.

With eight fixtures left, McGlynn can make further advances in the rankings in the Revidge Trophy at his home club on Sunday.

SCORES (Par=71): 137 James Newton (Prestbury) 70 67; 138 Gareth Bradley (Bramhall) 70 68; 139 Josh Garside (Prestbury) 72 67, Steven McGlynn (Blackburn) 69 70; 140 Daniel Osbaldeston (Prestbury) 72 68; 142 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 70 72; 145 Kevin Brown (Bromborough) 76 69, Jon Beesley (Mere) 76 69, Joseph Sephton (Prenton) 75 70, Fraser Macleod (Hazel Grove) 75 70, James McCormick (Styal) 70 75; 146 Tom Mortimer (Stockport) 74 72.

STANDINGS: 710pts John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 680 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 575 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 545 Mark Young (Longridge); 525 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 370 James Bolton (Formby); 310 Kris Taylor (Formby), James Newton (Prestbury); 300 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 270 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield); 255 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale); 255 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale); 250 Mark Geddes (Prenton), Henry Featherstone (Ringway).

Hall & Stimson share victory at Rowlands Castle

Ben Stimson (Paultons Golf Centre) and Shaun Hall (Botley Park) shared victory in the Patrons of the Hampshire PGA Junior Pro-Am at Rowlands Castle Golf Club.

On a wet and windy day the two Professionals shot two-over-par rounds of 74, a shot ahead of Chilworth’s Mark Dawe.

Twenty teams of Hampshire County Juniors took part in the Tournament, playing alongside Hampshire PGA assistant professionals. Craig Matthew (North Hants) won the Pro-Am with his team of Joshua Oddy, Aileen McCulloch and George Roberts. Their twelve-under-par score of 132 was two better than Shaun Hall and his team of Billy Mackenzie, George Hoarton and Hector Small.

Lee-on-the-Solent’s Mark Francis was third with his team of Jordon Sungborg, Jonny Burgin and Kirsty McCulloch.

The Tournament was sponsored by the Patrons of the Hampshire PGA.

Leading Professional scores:

Ben Stimson (Paultons Golf Centre) 74

Shaun Hall (Botley Park) 74

Mark Dawe (Chilworth Golf Centre) 75

Ben Cummings (Basingstoke) 76

Jamie Northcote (Corhampton) 78

Leyon Yeatman (Paultons Golf Centre) 78

James Mitchell (Shanklin & Sandown) 78

Craig Matthew (North Hants) 78

Leading Pro-Am Team scores:

Craig Matthew (North Hants), Joshua Oddy, Aileen McCulloch & George Roberts 132

Shaun Hall, Billy Mackenzie, George Hoarton & Hector Small 134

Mark Francis (Lee-on-the-Solent), Jordon Sungborg, Jonny Burgin & Kirsty McCulloch 136

Mark Dawe, TJ Donaldson, Richard Pharo & Bethany Goater 137

Matt Pryke (Barton-on-Sea), Charlotte Barrow, Stanley Garland & Andrew Gregory 138

Rob Gowers (South Winchester), Tom Farrow-Smith, Hugo Sandars & Samuel Jerram 139

Jamie Northcote, Cameron Farmer, Thomas Whiting & James Freeman 139

Gents Open at Blundells Hill

There are still some places available in the gents individual open at Blundells Hill Golf Club on Sunday 4th September.

The competition is an individual medal with a handicap limit of 24 (full allowance). There are gross and nett prizes with an entry-fee of just £22.

The George McKie Trophy is presented for the lowest gross score.

Tee times are available from 10am and everybody receives a 2-fore-1 voucher to come back and play the course at a later date.

About the course

Blundells Hill was founded in 1994 and is located less than 5 minutes from junction 7 of the M62.

The course is set in mature parkland with views that take one’s breath away on a clear day. The elevated clubhouse overlooks a panoramic vista stretching from the hills of Frodsham to the Welsh mountains.

The course caters for all abilities, though accuracy is paramount; a real thinker’s delight. Many fairways are tree-lined and the greenside bunkers can pose a serious obstacle. The competition tees offer a real challenge as do the five par 3’s which, if the wind blows, can play havoc with your club selection.

The water features add hesitation, as do the large and undulating greens. The superb drainage make play possible for 52 weeks of the year.

Roses all the way for Kenwright

LANCASHIRE player Ian Kenwright won the Grange Park Rose Bowl thanks to a blistering first round five-under-par 67 which featured eight birdies.

He followed up with a 72, an eagle at the 15th proving critical in the final analysis, as the Haydock Park man prevailed by a shot from John Carroll.

But it did not prevent the Lancashire County champion from Huyton & Prescot from extending his tally in the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit which he has led from the start.

Carroll moved up to a massive 710 points with eight fixtures remaining but Hillside’s Richie Blundell kept on his tail by finishing third at Grange Park and trails by 75.

SCORES (Par=72): 139 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 67 72; 140 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 70 70; 144 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 71 73, Ryan Corbett (West Lancs) 70 74; 146 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale) 76 70, Paul Howard (Southport & Ainsdale) 75 71, Mark Young (Longridge) 75 71; 148 Gary Burgess (Grange Park) 73 75; 149 Josh Cowley (Huyton & Prescot) 76 73; 150 Jonathan Greenhough (Grange Park) 74 76; 151 Gary Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 76 75, Daryl Callister (Mount Murray) 74 77.

STANDINGS: 710pts John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 535 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 545 Mark Young (Longridge); 525 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 515 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 370 James Bolton (Formby); 310 Kris Taylor (Formby); 300 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 270 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield); 255 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale); 255 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale); 250 Mark Geddes (Prenton), Henry Featherstone (Ringway).

Aegean Airline joins the Gtour Race to Cyprus

The Gtour, the U.K’s leading amateur Golf Series and Order of Merit Tour which takes place throughout UK at courses around the country is pleased to announce the signing of their new sponsor Aegean Airlines.

Aegean Airlines has supported Cyprus and Greece as specialist golf destinations and is the preferred carrier of the PGAs of Europe and the official carrier of the PGA of Greece and the Hellenic Golf Federation.

A spokesperson for Aegean was delighted to be sponsoring the Gtour’s ‘Race to Cyprus’ tournament

“For the first time, Aegean are now a proud sponsor of the ‘Gtour – Race to Cyprus’ tournament.”

Aegean is also the creator of the international golf tournament, “Aegean Airlines Pro-Am”, the first international golf tournament in Greece, endorsed for 6 years by the PGAs of Europe.

In 2011 the Gtour Order of Merit was renamed ‘The Race to Cyprus’ following partnerships with Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus Tourism Organisation and Aegean Airlines as well as existing partners De Vere, Srixon, Golfbreaks.com and Bunker Mentality.

The top 10 players will earn the right to compete in the grand final at Aphrodite Hills Cyprus, after a two-day semi final event to be held in November where the top 52 in the Order of Merit will compete for a seat on the Aegean Airlines plane.

Aegean Airlines carried 6.23 million passengers in 2010 and during the 2011 summer season will operate in 35 international and 24 domestic routes.

The next event is on Saturday 20 August at De Vere Dunston Hall followed by the final event of the season on Saturday 17 September at De Vere Mottram Hall.

Run by golfers for golfers ‘Gtour’ is the best amateur tour to play in where competitive and social golf go hand in hand.

To find out more about the tour or to book your place in the final few events visit http://www.gtour.co.uk/

Fawcett cuts it fine

ROB Fawcett became the third successive first time winner in the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit - but he nearly blew his chance of claiming the Bosden Trophy at Hazel Grove.

The Dukinfield player appeared to be coasting to a comfortable victory until he bogeyed the last two holes in the second round.

And he was mightily relieved to get the verdict on countback from Ringway’s Henry Featherstone who also clocked up his maiden win in the Astbury Jewel five days earlier.

Plus one ranked Fawcett trailed a shot behind his rival after an opening 71, again losing his concentration when he double bogeyed the 17th.

But five birdies on the outward half in the afternoon and three more on the home stretch kept him in front of the chasing pack until his late lapses.

SCORES (Par=71): 141 Rob Fawcett (Dukinfield) 71 70, Henry Featherstone (Ringway) 70 71; 144 Fraser Macleod (Hazel Grove) 71 73; 146 Nick Tomlinson (Mold) 74 72; 148 Conor Murphy (Denton) 75 73; 151 Daniel Creaney (Southport & Ainsdale) 77 74, Paul Sargent (Haydock Park) 76 75, Chris Owens (West Derby) 72 79; 152 Harry Hulme (Mere) 76 76, Grant Little (Brampton) 76 76; 153 Alistair Waddell (Styal) 76 77; 154 Scott Kempson (Hazel Grove) 82 72.

Goddard wins first professional tournament

Luke Goddard has won his first PGA EuroPro Tour title of his career.

Goddard clinched victory at the Lingfield Park Championship 2011 as he finished two shots ahead of Jamie Howarth.

Scores of 68 (-3) and 66 (-5) saw him start the day on eight-under with an advantage of three shots and his final day round of 70 was enough to seal the £10,000 winner’s prize.

“It feels very good to get rid of the monkey off of my back and win my first tournament as a professional,” said Hendon-based Goddard.

“This gets me a step closer to the Challenge Tour and I’ve got a very good chance if I carry this form on.

“My putting has improved over the last few weeks. All season I’ve been hitting it solidly but not putting the scores together but in the last few weeks that has changed.

“The Challenge Tour is the main step for me now and I think I would do very well there. I’ve led on the European Tour before and it suits my game at a higher level.”

This victory catapults him up to third in the Order of Merit where a top-five finish at the end of the season would see him advance to the Challenge Tour.

It would be a quick rise for Goddard, who has represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 2009 Walker Cup, as he only turned professional in October 2009.

He started this season playing in the first stage of Qualifying School and finished second in the opening phase and 20th in final qualifying to earn his spot on the EuroPro Tour.

After failing to make the cut at his first events, he rapidly improved with top 20 finishes at Burhill, Longhirst Hall and Fota Island.

Last week at Formby Hall Goddard finished tied second but went one better this week in Surrey.

Howarth’s final day effort of 66 (-5) left him in second place, while Chris Hanson’s third place finish saw him regain his lead in the Order of Merit with Zane Scotland finishing fourth.

This is the tenth event of the season and a two-hour highlights package will be shown on Sky Sports on Wednesday, August 24.

After a week gap, the Tour will return on Wednesday, August 24 at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

Goddard holds three-shot lead in Surrey

LUKE Goddard is closing in on his first victory on the PGA EuroPro Tour and holds a three-shot lead ahead of the final day.

Hendon-based Goddard, who finished tied second last week at Formby Hall in Merseyside, maintained his good form on day two of the Lingfield Park Championship 2011 in Surrey.

He began Thursday’s play joint second after an opening day round of -3 (68) but performed even better today with a score of 66 (-5) to move on to eight-under for the tournament.

Luke Goddard

A strong finish, which included birdies at five of the last six holes, left him with a three-shot advantage over Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield).

Hanson, who is set to return to the top of the Order of Merit, has a chance of becoming the first golfer since 2007 to win three events in the same season.

He has already triumphed at Bovey Castle in Devon and Galgorm Castle in Ballymena, Northern Ireland and he registered the lowest score on Thursday.

His effort of 65 (-6) saw him enjoy a flawless round and end with birdies at both the 17th and 18th holes.

Elsewhere, a host of golfers are on -2, while Darryn Lloyd, James Watts (East Herts) and Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills) are all on -1.

Anthony McDonald (Coombe Wood, Surrey) enjoyed the best day of his season so far as his score of 69 (-2), which included a run of six birdies in ten holes, saw him make the cut for the first time in 2011.

The top 50 players plus ties have qualified for the third day where a final round will determine who collects the £10,000 first prize.

All of the action is being filmed by Matchroom Sport, who will produce a two-hour highlights package and this will be broadcast on Sky Sports on Wednesday, August 24.

Evans leads at Lingfield Park

Daniel Wardrop

GARETH EVANS holds a one-shot lead at the Lingfield Park Championship 2011 on a day that included two golfers making holes-in-one.

Evans (Crow Nest Park) bogeyed the first but birdies at the seventh, eighth, 11th, 16th and 17th left him on four-under (67) and in front for the £10,000 top prize.

There had been a sensational start to the tenth EuroPro Tour event of the season as two players made holes-in-one at the 137-yard par-three sixth.

Daniel Wardrop (Didsbury, Manchester) achieved perfection as his hole-in-one came in an inconsistent round.

His best performance of the season came at Wensum Valley, Norfolk where he finished in tied eighth but his effort today included a run from the fifth to the ninth of triple-bogey, eagle, par, bogey and birdie.

However, Wardrop ended the round strongly with birdies in three of the last four holes to end on three-under (68).

George Parker (The London Club) had played in seven events this season but failed to make the cut at any of them but his perfect shot at the sixth gave him a chance of ending that record his week.

He made a stunning start with three successive birdies and an eagle at the sixth and was a one-time leader before a poor back nine where he dropped six shots left him on one-over (72).

Neil Chaudhuri enjoyed a flawless round in his score of 68 (-3) and was also joined on the same score by Hendon’s Luke Goddard, a runner-up last week at Formby Hall in Merseyside.

With Order of Merit leader Graeme Clark a late withdrawal from the action, it has given Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield) a great opportunity to reclaim top spot.

He had a mixed opening day and ended on one-over (72) after five birdies and six bogeys.

All the action is being filmed and Matchroom Sport will produce a two-hour highlights package, which will be shown on Sky Sports on Wednesday, August 24.

Bathgate Group sponsor county events

CHESHIRE and North Wales professionals are celebrating a double sponsorship deal from a firm that’s helped to create some of the world’s best golf courses.

Sandbach-based Bathgate Group have pledged £4,000 out of a combined £6,000 prize fund for next month’s county PGA Open at Mobberley and the Matchplay Championship which reaches its climax at Wilmslow in October.

PGA North Region secretary Graham Maly said: “The events will provide a great boost for the area which has some fantastic courses.”

The sponsor is the parent company of Bathgate Silica Sand, a major UK supplier of sand, root zone and top dressings for golf courses for more than 60 years.

David Robinson, boss of Bathgate Silica Sand, said: “Our support extends our commitment to the industry, particularly in the North West. We have extensive experience, technical know-how and first class service to back up our products which are widely used across the nation’s golf courses and other sporting venues.”

The PGA’s association with the Bathgate Group has been facilitated through Gary Donnison, Mobberley’s golf director. He is a former PGA North Region champion and has been sponsored as a professional by Bathgate for the last three years.

Mark Price, Bathgate’s Group chief executive, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the PGA and I’m sure Mobberley and Wilmslow clubs are well placed to stage excellent tournaments,”

The Cheshire and North Wales Open is on September 20-21 and the matchplay finals on October 17.

Big field for Lancashire Open

MIKE Hollingworth bids for his third James Brearley Lancashire Open crown which he defends at Blackpool North Shore next week (Aug 15-16).

But the Denton professional faces a formidable challenge from a record 167-strong field in a tournament upgraded from county to a PGA North Region Order of Merit event last year.

Three-time winner David Shacklady starts favourite for he not only leads the rankings and money list but is in peak form after qualifying for the Great Britain and Ireland side to face the United States in next month’s biennial PGA Cup.

The Mossock Hall maestro is one of five regional players in the 10-man line-up heading for California with team-mates Simon Edwards, from Windermere, and John Wells, based at East Yorkshire club Cherry Burton, also battling for honours at North Shore.

Other past winners include Houghwood’s Barry Taylor, who has dominated Lancashire golf over the past five years; Haigh Hall teaching pro Craig Corrigan with 13 top 10 finishes in the region this season; Marriott Worsley Park assistant John Cheetham; and Swinton Park’s David Smith who is lying second in the Order of Merit behind Shacklady.

The £10,000 competition, which concludes with a pro-am, has attracted most of the top players from the whole region headed by Mid Yorkshire’s Aran Wainwright who won last week’s Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park.

The Lancashire Open was instigated n 1973 when it was won by Ryder Cup player Alex Caygill. Other European Tour professionals to claim the title were Ian Mosey, Andrew Chandler and Denis Durnian.

Record number of victories is five by Pleasington’s Ged Furey.

Hoorah Henry

HENRY Featherstone captured his maiden Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit title when he won the Astbury Jewel.

The plus two player from Ringway carded 68 and 69 for a five-under-par total to prevail by a shot from Prenton’s Mark Geddes.

Featherstone picked up five birdies in each round and crucial in the final reckoning was an eagle at the 12th in the afternoon because he dropped two strokes on the closing holes.

SCORES (Par=71): 137 Henry Featherstone (Ringway) 68 69; 138 Mark Geddes (Prenton) 66 72; 139 Fraser Macleod (Hazel Grove) 70 69; 140 Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) 72 68; 142 Jason Timmis (Newcastle-u-Lyme) 72 70; 144 Jordan Jones (Delamere Forest) 70 74; 145 Steve Watton (Enville) 72 73; 147 Reece Cranfield (Haigh Hall) 74 73, Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale) 74 73; 148 Sean Comiskey (Gathurst) 75 73, Edward Battye (Bradley Park) 73 75; 149 Andrew Hardie (Astbury) 74 75.

STANDINGS: 610pts John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 560 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 555 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 505 Mark Young (Longridge); 470 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 370 James Bolton (Formby); 310 Kris Taylor (Formby); 300 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 255 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale); 225 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 240 Ciaran Doherty (Bury); 235 Reece Cranfield (Haigh Hall); 225 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 215 Mark Duncalf (Formby).

Win a luxury day's golf in France!

The Hampshire PGA is offering local golfers the chance to win a luxury day's golf in France.

The prize is for you and three friends and includes return flights from Goodwood airport to Le Touquet in France with Conciair and 18 holes of golf at Le Touquet with lunch.

The prize is part of the Hampshire PGA's Grand Draw, which also includes the chance to win a set of Wilson irons, a round of golf for a fourball at Remedy Oak and a one day golf school for nine players at Alresford Golf Club.

Tickets cost £5.00 and can be purchased until Friday 26th August from your Club Professional or the Hampshire PGA.

The Draw takes place on Wednesday 7th September.

Short Course Pro-Am

The Hampshire PGA Short Course Pro-Am takes place at Ampfield G&CC on Friday 26th August.

Amateur entry costs £50.00 and includes 36 holes of pro-am golf, great prizes and refreshments and the famous Ampfield BBQ.

If you like to play please ring (01962-860928) or email David Wheeler at the Hampshire PGA.

Hughes strikes silver

BRYAN Hughes became a first time winner in the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit with a one shot victory in the Birkdale Silver Goblet.

The scratch man from neighbouring Hillside twice birdied the last two holes in rounds of 74 and 72, two-over-par in total, on a testing day when intermittent rain made scoring difficult.

Hughes, among the early starters, produced a mixed bag of birdies and bogeys as did most in the big field.

Daryl Callister, from Isle of Man resort Mount Murray, claimed second place after a three-way countback with the host club’s Michael Howard and Mathew Cox, the 2009 winner.

Hillside’s Richie Blundell finished seventh to narrow the gap to 40 points on merit leader John Carroll, from Huyton & Prescot.

SCORES (Par=72): 146 Bryan Hughes (Hillside) 74 72; 147 Daryl Callister (Mount Murray) 75 72, Michael Howard (Royal Birkdale) 74 73, Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham) 74 73; 149 Matthew Cox (Royal Birkdale) 76 73; 150 Mark Young (Longridge) 77 73; 151 Richie Blundell (Hillside) 77 74; 152 Nick Tomlinson (Mold) 79 73, Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 77 75, Liam Ball (Bolton Old Links) 77 75; 153 Charles Durnian (Fairhaven) 79 74, Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 78 75.

STANDINGS: 610pts John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 560 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 555 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 505 Mark Young (Longridge); 450 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 370 James Bolton (Formby); 310 Kris Taylor (Formby); 300 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 255 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale); 225 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 240 Ciaran Doherty (Bury); 225 Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 215 Mark Duncalf (Formby); 205 Reece Cranfield (Haigh Hall).