Comeback king Teejay

Collecting his holiday voucher from Golf de la Luz director

17-year-old Teejay White became the 2011 Northern Matchplay Golf Championship champion when he staged a fabulous fight back, coming from six-down over Alwoodley’s famous golf course, in the final to land the coveted title.

Rotherham Golf Club have produced many fine golfers over the decades and it would appear that there is now a new kid on the block.

The South Yorkshire club can account for the upbringing of several young amateurs through the amateur ranks, many of which have gone on to turn professional and compete at the highest level, the most notable being Danny Willett. The Thrybergh club have dominated county golf for a number of years and it looks as though a new name may soon be added to their enviable list of top golfers.

The talented youngster has only been playing golf for a little over three years but displayed maturity beyond his years with a resurgent performance over a course ranked inside the top 100 in the world and as true a test of golf as you will get.

Teejay with the trophy

The triumph not only lands him the Northern Matchplay trophy but a wonderful golfing holiday to Spain courtesy of Golf de la Luz, the main sponsor of the championship.

The three-handicapper took on Bishop Auckland's Stephen Ridley (4 hcp) in the 36-hole final after both players produced golf of the highest order during the previous day to come through 18-hole quarter and then semi-final matches.

The win was the tenth consecutive victory for White, who was making his first appearance in the season-long competition.

White won five qualifying rounds to make the Yorkshire regional final at Pannal earlier in the month where he claimed two more scalps to progress to the two-day grand final. In the quarter-final at Alwoodley he defeated Runcorn's Michael Adams before beating John Goodland of Haydock Park in the last four tie.

After a confident start by both players, which couldn't split them, Ridley then enjoyed much the better of the morning session. The Durham man raced ahead and led by six holes after 13 but let three slip in a row from the 14th to stand just three-up at lunch. It could have been two but White failed to covert a relatively easy par scramble on the 18th, which would have won him the hole.

White in action during the first day quarter-final

That minor setback didn't deter the South Yorkshire player though and he soon reduced the arrears further with a win down the first hole straight after the break. Although still two down he now had the momentum, soon levelled the game and then hit the front. By the time the contest reached the 16th White was dormie three-up and that's where it ended with a 4&2 scoreline the eventual outcome.

For White, who is currently at college but would love to make it amongst the paid-ranks of the sport at some point in the future, it was the biggest win of his short career but on this showing likely to be the first of many.

Entries for the 2012 competition are now open with full details on the championship website www.northernmatchplay.com

Williams & Dyson edge exciting pairs final

Receiving their holiday voucher from Golf de la Luz director

Allan Williams & Kevin Dyson were crowned as the 2011 Northern Matchplay Golf Championship pairs winners after a thrilling climax to the 36-hole final at The Alwoodley Golf Club.

The duo from Seaham Golf Club stood one-down with a couple of holes to play but won the last two, against Sean Finlay & Steven Boswell, in dramatic fashion to seal the title and land a golfing holiday to Spain, thanks to the main sponsor of the championship, Golf de la Luz.

The previous day they had defeated Keswick's Barry Gaskell & Stuart Wilson in the morning quarter-final and then ended the long 15 match unbeaten run of defending champions Ben Ryland & Ashley Ibbotson from Doncaster in the semi-final.

Previously they had battled through five qualifying rounds to reach and then win the Durham regional final at Seaton Carew Golf Club earlier this month.

Williams & Dyson with the trophy

Williams (3 hcp) & Dyson (11 hcp) trailed by two holes at lunch in the final but by the time the tie had reached the 12th tee in the second round they had turned it round to hold a two hole advantage, thanks in part to a series of birdies by the category-one player including three in a row from the sixth.

And from there on in it was a roller-coaster ride of a contest with not another halved hole.

Finlay (6 hcp) & Boswell (9 hcp), members at The Tytherington and Wilpshire golf clubs respectively, hit back at the 12th when Finlay chipped and putted for a nett birdie. 

But they fell two behind again at the next when Dyson's par was good enough for a win.

Dyson teeing off on the 18th at Alwoodley

Finlay produced a splendid birdie at the 14th when he rifled a long iron to 12-feet and then sunk the putt, when a half looked likely. 

At the next a solid par from the same golfer won the hole after Williams had driven out of bounds and Dyson had flirted too close to the trees down the right so had to lay up short of the green.

With the game all-square Boswell showed his metal by sinking a testing downhill putt for a nett birdie to win the 16th and give the North-West doublet not only the lead but the momentum heading into the last two holes.

That run of three losses in a row would have been a sucker punch for most but the Durham pair, who showed remarkable resolution to hang in there, took advantage of a couple of leaked drives down the penultimate hole by their opponents to level the match.

Dyson & Williams

With the game all flat going down the 36th Williams & Dyson both hit good tee-shots whilst Boswell bunkered his drive but Finlay arrowed one down the middle. Dyson couldn't reach the green with his approach but chipped to ten-feet. 

Meanwhile Williams found the green but around 30-feet away and Finlay pushed his second shot right before pitching to 20-feet. With the North-East pair in the box seat Williams rolled his putt up to three-feet, Boswell made double-bogey and Finlay failed to hole his par putt meaning that Dyson and his partner both had a putt to win the match. The former calmly rolled his in to win the holiday to Spain.

It has been three exceptional wins for the 2011 champions over the two-day finale at Alwoodley and makes the pair nine games without defeat in the competition.

Entries for the 2012 competition are now open with full details on the championship website www.northernmatchplay.com

Players Club Mid Amateur Stroke Play Championship

Wyncanton Marketing Services Ltd (Whitstable, Kent. UK) are pleased to announce a new golf championship for Mid Amateur golfers in the UK. The Players Club Mid Amateur Stroke Play Championship will take place at The Players Club in Bristol on Friday 4th May 2012.

The tournament will be held over 36 holes in one day, with the winner being the player who returns the lowest gross score for the 36 holes. Prizes will be given for the first 4 places in the scratch event and the first 3 places in the handicap event and there is an expected prize fund of over £1,000. There is also a prize for the leading player over 50 years of age. The event will be open to all male golfers over the age of 35 and who are in possession of an active CONGU handicap of 12 or less.

“Following on from the success of our first events this year, we decided to add another event for 2012. The feedback was so positive from the players that it cemented our belief that there is a huge gap in the market for new tournaments aimed at golfers aged over 35 years of age.” said Jason Morris, Golf Director of Wyncanton Marketing Services. “The event at The Players Club will be part of the new Mid Amateur Order of Merit which will run throughout the season with prizes for the leading players and will add an extra incentive for the players to do well in each event.”

“These are exciting time for us and the new web site www.midamgolf.co.uk is attracting visitors from all over the world. We are currently planning 6 events for next year and are looking at resurrecting some tournaments that have fallen by the wayside including the Welsh Mid Amateur Championship and potentially the Scottish Mid Amateur.”

Adams & Tolliday tie at Sandford Springs

Richard Adams (South Winchester) and John Tolliday (Dale Hill) both shot three-under-par rounds to share victory at Sandford Springs (23/9).

South Winchester’s Rob Gowers (69) was third and Michael Lord (Meon Valley) fourth.

Tolliday also won the Leaderboard Golf Trophy for the best Leaderboard Professional.

Steve Richardson won the pro-am with his team of Peter Price, Jon Hibberd and Paul Baxter. They pushed Lord’s team of Derek Cunliffe, Julian Covey and Richard Covey into second place after a back nine count back.

Other prize winners included Graham Beales, Diana Oatridge and Matt Wild.

Paul Gibbons (Chairman, Leaderboard Group) and Dickie Davies (President, Sandford Springs) presented the team prizes. The Tournament was organised by Andrew Wild (General Manager, Sandford Springs).

Leading Professional scores:

Richard Adams (South Winchester) 68

John Tolliday (Dale Hill) 68

Rob Gowers (South Winchester) 69

Michael Lord (Meon Valley) 70

Leading Pro-Am scores:

Steve Richardson, Peter Price, Paul Baxter & Jon Hibberd 131

Michael Lord, Derek Cunliffe, Julian Covey & Richard Covey 131

Rob Gowers, Joseph Munns, Rob Smyth & Matt Wild 132

Richard Adams, Bob Barker, John Jack & Graham Humby 135

John Tolliday, David Colyer, Eric Clark & Andrew Jenner 135

2012 open golf competitions at North Manchester GC

Entries have just opened for the 2012 open golf competitions at North Manchester Golf Club.

Events at this popular venue usually become over-subscribed very quickly so early entry is recommended in order to secure place.

North Manchester Golf Club will host a total of eleven open competitions during 2012. Tournaments run from June through until September. There is a wide variety of events but the one thing in common is that they all become full very quickly.

The first event is a Gents Pairs Open, for the Peter McGuiness Trophy, on Sunday 3rd June and has an entry-fee of just £30 per pair. The format is 4-Ball Betterball Stableford with a top handicap limit of 24.

Further Gents Pairs Opens are held on Wednesday 4th July and on Monday 27th August for the Wrigley Trophy. Both are 4-Ball Betterball Stableford events with a maximum handicap limit of 24.

Mixed golfers will need to be quick off the mark to grab a tee-time in the annual Mixed Team Open on Sunday 1st July. This team of four Stableford, best man & lady to score on each hole, has an entry-fee of just £54 per team.

A Senior Pairs Open takes place on the following day. This is a 4-Ball Betterball Stableford for men aged 55+ with a handicap of 24 or less. Entry is £30 per pair for this competition, as it is for a similar event later in the year on Monday 10th September.

A very popular Team Open is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd July. This is a 3-person team event, which can comprise of any combination of men/women. At only £15 per person it's a very good value tournament and fills up quickly.

If it is individual golf that you are looking for then the Gents Singles Open on Thursday 5th July and/or the Tate Trophy on Sunday 15th July are certainly worth considering.

The first is an 18-hole individual Stableford (£15 per person) with a maximum handicap limit of 24 whilst the second is a 36-hole individual strokeplay event (£24 per person) with a top handicap of 15 allowed.

Finally, two team competitions are also held in July. On Thursday 5th July a Ladies Team Open will be held. This is a Stableford event for teams of four ladies and has an entry-fee of £40 per team.

The following day a Gents Team Open takes place. This is also a four-man team event and has an entry-fee of £84 per team.

To download entry-forms for any of the above please visit the North Manchester Golf Club page.

About North Manchester

The par 71 rolling parkland course at North Manchester Golf Club has been entertaining the golfing fraternity of the North west ever since 1925, offering spectacular views over the city and providing a challenge to all who play it.

Ideally situated at the heart of the North of England motorway system at junction 19 of the M60, it attracts visiting golfers from all the surrounding counties.

With the elevated first tee affording a view of one of the prettiest opening holes you’ll play, and the par 3 eighteenth over water challenging you right to the very end of your round, the course has something for everyone.

There is no better value for money way to spend the day on a golf course in the North West.

PGA Cup ace Shacklady heads Pokerstars Manx Classic charge

LANCASHIRE hotshot David Shacklady, leading points scorer with two wins and a half from five matches as GB&I lost 17½ - 8½ to the United States in the PGA Cup in California, heads a 41-strong field in the Pokerstars Manx Classic at Ramsey next week (Sept 30 Oct 1).

The Mossock Hall attached professional, who has notched up in excess of 200 assorted victories in a career stretching over more than 20 years, is targeting to repeat his success at Castletown in 2003.

But the darts enthusiast will have to be on top of his game if he hopes to hit the bullseye with several formidable challengers lined up who are also chasing points in the final PGA North Region Order of Merit event of the season.

De Vere Leeds Cup winner David Smith, from Swinton Park, is 10 points in front of Shacklady who is the only player who can overhaul him.

And there’s even more at stake because the leading three players will go into the mix for the end-of-season Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey in November where places in next year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth are up for grabs.

Also determined to have a say in that matter is Aran Wainwright, professional at Mid Yorkshire, who won the Spirotech Open at Marriott Worsley Park two months ago.

Meanwhile, Steve Parry who runs the North West Golf Academy at Hart Common, defends the Manx crown he captured last season when he also won the Leeds Cup and the Order of merit.

Former Castletown pro Michael Brooks, from Malton and Norton, returns to the island where Mount Murray’s Allyn Laing is among the local hopes in a four-man team event carrying a £15,000 prize-fund.

Flawless Smith claims Lancs title again

DAVID Smith captured the Lancashire PGA Championship for the third time in five years at Accrington with a flawless five-under-par 65.

It was the fourth title in a productive season for the Swinton Park man who last month won the De Vere Leeds Cup, professional golf’s oldest trophy, at Oulton Hall.

Yet despite all his recent success, which includes reaching the European Tour School second qualifying stage, Smith revealed he was booking a session this week with his coach Dave Screeton at Marriott Worsley Park.

“I’m playing in the Manx Classic which starts on Friday and although I’ve no problems with my game I want him to reinforce what I’m doing,” he said.

“I believe the best time to have a lesson is when you’re playing well.”

Smith has no obvious problems on that score after reeling off five birdies on the slick Accrington greens.

“I got out of position three times but pitched and putted to save par on each occasion,” he added.

James Barr, from Chilli Dip Academy in Blackrod, and Hesketh assistant Martin Edge, tied second on 68.

And Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady, leading points scorer for Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup defeat by the United States in California two weeks ago, signed for a 69 matched by PGA North Region captain Jeff Mathews, from Mytton Fold.

Coincidentally, Smith is also the Lancashire PGA captain.

LEADING SCORES: 65 David Smith (Swinton Park); 68 James Barr (Chilli Dip Academy), Martin Edge (Hesketh); 69 Jeff Mathews (Mossock Hall), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Will Barnes (Garstang); 70 Barry Taylor (Houghwood), Martin Longshaw (Haigh Hall), Will Hancock (Morecambe), Phil Kelly (St Annes Old Links).

Pleasington Autumn & Winter opens

Entries are currently open for two competitions to be held at the excellent Pleasington Golf Club later this year.

Places are already filling up quickly so don't delay if you fancy playing this Regional Open Qualifying golf course for a bargain price.

The first event is less than two weeks away but there is still time to grab one of the remaining tee-times.

The Autumn Open Fourball will take place on Wednesday 5th October. This Betterball Stableford competition has an amazing entry-fee of just £30 per pair. The handicap limit is 24.

Meanwhile a similar event takes place later in the month on Wednesday 26th October.

The Winter Open Fourball has an entry-fee of £28 per pair and is a 15-hole Betterball Stableford. The handicap limit is 24.

It is expected that both events will become over-subscribed very quickly.

About Pleasington

Pleasington Golf Club was formed in October 1890 and is without doubt one of the best tests of golf in the North-West of England.

It has a superb layout, being part heathland in character with some heather.

This beautiful and picturesque golf course is within two miles of exit 3 of the M65 Motorway in Pleasington, a rural village area on the outskirts of Blackburn, with magnificent country views.

McGlynn has final say

STEVE McGlynn won the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit in style with a nine shot victory in the final fixture of the season, the Pendle Witch at Clitheroe.

And in an ironic twist of fate, the Blackburn player took full advantage of the absence of rivals Richie Blundell and Mark Young who were in Lancashire’s six-man team which failed to defend the English County Championship at Ganton.

McGlynn was named as a non-travelling reserve which freed him to compete at Clitheroe where he started the day only 30 points behind merit leader Blundell, from Hillside, and 95 ahead of title holder and three time winner Young, from Longridge.

He made his intentions clear from the start, opening up with a 70 then repeating the score in the second round for a two-under-par total to top the merit table by 120 points.

All told, he picked up five birdies as Nelson’s Craig Fort finished second for the second week in a row.

It was McGlynn’s third success of the season, taking the honours in the Calvert Trophy at Ashton & Lea and Derek Ingham Trophy at Rossendale.

SCORES (Par=71): 140 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 70 70; 149 Craig Fort (Nelson) 76 73; 150 Shaun Field (Nelson) 74 76, Nick Uttley (Nelson) 74 76, Brett Langstreth (Wilpshire) 71 79; 153 Louis Tomlinson (Haydock Park) 76 77; 154 Nick Carr (Ellesmere) 77 77, Rob Smith (Heysham) 74 80; 155 Tony Flanagan (Clitheroe) 78 77, Andy Walsh (Leyland) 75 80; 156 Gary Byrne (Clitheroe) 79 77, Steve Ackers (Clitheroe) 78 78.

FINAL STANDINGS: 1,210 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 1,090pts Richie Blundell (Hillside); 965 Mark Young (Longridge); 710 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 525 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 475 James Bolton (Formby); 375 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); Nick Uttley (Nelson) 365; 360 James Newton (Prestbury); 330 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield), D Nutter (Clitheroe); 325 Henry Featherstone (Ringway).

Final 2011 Northern Order of Merit Table

The final standings in the 2011 Srixon Cleveland Northern Order of Merit can be seen below.

Name, Club, Points

Stephen McGlynn , Blackburn = 1210

Richie Blundell , Hillside = 1090

Mark Young , Longridge = 965

John Carroll , Huyton & Prescot = 710

Sean Towndrow , Southport & Ainsdale = 525

James Bolton , Formby = 475

Mark Ashworth , Clitheroe = 375

Nick Uttley , Nelson = 365

James Newton , Prestbury = 360

Robert Fawcett , Dukinfield = 330

Daniel Nutter , Clitheroe = 330

Henry Featherstone , Ringway = 325

Paul Kinnear , Formby = 320

Mark Duncalf , Formby = 315

Kris Taylor , Formby = 310

Reece Cranfield , Haigh Hall = 310

Dan Osbaldeston , Prestbury = 310

Jack Brooks , Pleasington = 300

Craig Fort , Nelson = 275

Ciaran Doherty , Bury = 260

Mark Rabone , Southport & Ainsdale = 255

Mark Geddes , Prenton = 250

Ian Kenwright , Haydock Park = 250

Sean Nicholls , Pleasington = 205

James McCormick , Styal = 200

Fraser Macleod , Hazel Grove = 195

Louis Tomlinson , Haydock Park = 185

Sean Comiskey , Gathurst = 170

Brian Hughes , Hillside = 165

Paul Howard , Southport & Ainsdale = 165

Gareth Hastie , Dunscar = 165

Daryl Callister , Mount Murray = 165

Tony Harwood , Blackburn = 160

Trevor Foster , Accrington = 150

Kris Sutcliffe , Crompton & Royton = 150

Brett Langstreth , Wilpshire = 150

Shaun Field , Nelson = 150

Roger Smithies , Manchester = 145

Gareth Bradley , Bramhall = 140

Steve Watton , Enville = 135

Mike Bedford , Prestbury = 130

Nick Tomlinson , Mold = 115

Ian Hardman , Accrington = 115

Daniel Creaney , S&A = 110

Will Shucksmith , Alwoodley = 105

Henry Tomlinson , Royal Lytham = 105

Jack Sant , Ladbrook Park = 100

Nick Jackson , Chorley = 100

Mike Howard , Royal Birkdale = 95

Josh Simms , Caldy = 90

Ryan Corbett , West Lancs = 90

Jordan Jones , Delamere Forest = 90

David Ashley , Royal North Devon = 90

Tony Flanagan , Clitheroe = 85

Chris Rabbich , Jurupa Hills = 80

Marcus Mohr , Bromborough = 75

Michael Hearn , Bolton = 75

Matt Taylor , Bolton Old Links = 75

Glenn Senior , Lee Park = 75

Ken Hudson , Hart Common = 70

Joe Sephton , Prenton = 70

Josh Garside , Prestbury = 70

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

David Marsh , Chorley = 60

Paul Williams , Hillside = 60

Russell Hayhoe , Ponteland = 55

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

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

Ian Stirling , Formby = 50

Simon Davies , Meltham = 45

Alex Pritchard , Wallasey = 45

Louis Laviscount , Wilpshire = 45

Lee Meyers , Fairhaven = 45

James Roberts , Lancaster = 45

Colin Greenall , St Annes Old Links = 45

James Bowditch , Adlington Golf Centre = 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

Paul Sargent , Haydock Park = 40

Tom Mortimer , Stockport = 40

Kevin Brown , Bromborough = 40

Michael Hartley , Fairhaven = 40

Dave Jones , Bolton Old Links = 40

Jonathan Bowden , Clitheroe = 40

Josh Cowley , Huyton & Prescot = 40

Graeme Anderson , Childwall = 40

Nick Carr , Ellesmere = 40

Sam Townend , Wilpshire = 35

Gary Byrne , Clitheroe = 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

Ashley Siddle , Rossendale = 30

Luke Rimmer , Hesketh = 30

Rob Smith , Heysham = 30

Anthony Stirling , Formby = 25

Liam Jeffrey , Haigh Hall = 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

Martin Leese , Sandiway = 25

Aaron Harper , Bolton = 25

Chris Lawton , Falkirk Tryst = 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

Marcus Dunning , Bolton Old Links = 20

Matt Watts , Rossendale = 20

James Jaycock , Childwall = 20

Adam Fothergill , Marsden Park = 20

Andy Wash , Leyland = 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

Dean Pickard , Accrington = 15

Joey Lamb , Wilpshire = 15

Tony Holt , Wilpshire = 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

Tim Stanley , Clitheroe = 10

Rob Taylor , Bolton = 10

Nathan Lingard , Marsden Park = 10

Steve Ackers , Clitheroe = 10

Cheetham has the Extra factor

JONATHAN Cheetham won the Bathgate Cheshire & North Wales Open after a three-way play-off at Mobberley then revealed he was about to draw a line under the season because he’d been unhappy with his game.

 “I hadn’t felt comfortable for some time and I was planning to spend the winter working on my swing,” said the 44-year-old Styal-attached professional.

But it seems his coach Mark Pearson has already solved the problem.

“I saw him for a lesson a few days ago and his advice has given me back my confidence,” he explained after denying assistants Tim Rich, from Royal Lytham and St Annes, and Ellesmere’s Martyn Hamer, after they had matched his two-under-par total.

Cheetham bunkered his seven iron to the 170-yard 18th, the first sudden death hole, but splashed out to three feet then drained the putt as his rivals bogeyed.

He also saved par at the same hole and from a similar distance in normal time after executing a delicate pitch over a bunker where there was no margin for error.

“That was the key hole and my short game was put to the test,” said Cheetham who recently switched to a cack-handed putting method.

“It was a difficult final day because of a strong wind but I stuck in there.”  

Yet the former Manchester Open and Leeds Cup winner almost missed his first round tee-time after arriving at the course with five minutes to spare because of a traffic jam.

“I’d no time for a practice swing,” he added after posting a pair of 66s which earned him the North Wales and Cheshire Open title to sit alongside the Lancashire version he won 13 years ago.

Meanwhile, Sandbach-based Bathgate, who supply sand to some of the world’s top courses, are also sponsoring the Cheshire and North Wales County Matchplay Championship which reaches a climax at Wilmslow next month.

LEADING SCORES (Par=67): 132 Jonathan Cheetham (Styal) 66 66, Tim Rich (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 65 67, Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere) 64 68 (Cheetham won at 1st extra hole); 133 Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 68 65, Steve Parry (NWGA) 67 66, Phil Kelly (St Annes Old Links) 65 68;  135 Freddy Valenti (Pryors Hayes) 68 67; 136 Tim Rastall (De Vere Mottram Hall) 66 70, David Smith (Swinton Park) 63 73; 137 Lee Rooke (Vale of Llangollen) 68 69, Rory Walsh (Ashton-on-Mersey) 67 70.

Gowers wins first Hampshire PGA major title

South Winchester's Rob Gowers took his first Hampshire PGA 'major' title when he won the Hampshire Masters Championship at Barton-on-Sea Golf Club yesterday.

 

20 year-old Gowers shot a six-under-par opening round of 66, followed by a six-over-par round of 78 for a two round total of 144, level par.

 

Southwood's Chirs Hudson was second.

SingleFigureGolfer 2011 Final at Trevose

Single Figure Golfer (SFG) the only Tour specifically for amateur golfers with a handicap of 9 and under is once again culminating with its much anticipated showdown between the amateurs and Ryder cup stars at the magnificent links course at Trevose Golf and Country in October.

The 2011 SFG Challenge Tour sponsored by Srixon & Cleveland  has seen more  good club golfers than ever compete to make up the 10 man team for the event which is to be hosted by the magnificent links course of Trevose in North Cornwall from the 16th - 20th October 2011.

The 4th SFG final sees Trevose returning to the pressurised format of hosting a qualifying school in the two preceding days for those places not automatically awarded to the Order of Merit winners. This formula proved successful, both for the players who enjoyed the cut and thrust of the process and the team Captain Peter McEvoy who recognised that it identified players who could rise to the challenge:

McEvoy, welcoming the return of the qualifying school, said  “I am convinced my team will be stronger this year because of the Qualifying school meaning I will have the cream of the crop to manage. This will identify players who can handle the pressure and that is what golf at this level is all about. If I can get them to think like pros in their short game I am confident we will regain the trophy”

Chief Executive of SingleFigureGolfer.com Paul Heming commented: “We introduced qualifying school to ensure that the final team comprises those who can handle pressure and play their best game when required. We learned last year that you need players with that quality if you are going to compete against seasoned pros”

This year has seen over 100 open golf events  on the Tour along with the two day qualifying school to ensure the amateurs will be fielding as strong a team as possible as Team SFG seeks to regain the trophy it lost by one point to the Pro Team  in 2010

The final sees the amateur team captained by successful Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy OBE taking on former Ryder Cup vice captain Peter Baker’s team of Ryder Cup and Walker Cup players.

The team which can boast such names as Peter Baker, Paul Broadhurst, Gordon Brand Junior and David Gilford  have more than twenty Ryder Cup and Walker Cup appearances between them, a vice captaincy of the Ryder Cup and over two thousand European Tour events!

For once the phrase “been there and done it” can truly be used in respect of this team who still have the desire to win every time they play.

Nick Gammon, Managing Director of Trevose stated “We are delighted to be hosting the SFG final again this year and especially pleased to welcome so many of our country’s former Ryder cup players back to Cornwall. Like all Colt designed courses Trevose aims to provide the ultimate test of links golf and I look forward to seeing the country’s top amateurs and past Ryder Cup legends doing battle once again. The course has undergone a few modifications this past year which will provide some new challenges, so it’s all set up to be a great season finale to the SFG tournament.

Paul Heming Chief executive of OneGolfCard which operates SFG said “After last year’s success at Trevose we didn’t think twice about coming back. When considering all of the aspects necessary to hold a great tournament, such as quality of course, atmosphere and hospitality Trevose has it all. This tour is about the quality of the golf and most intense competition these players will have earned the right to experience”

This year’s SFG Challenge Tour has proved more popular than ever with growing numbers participating which has not escaped the eyes of the golfing world and been a catalyst for new sponsors coming on board in addition the title sponsor of Srixon. Their new range of Z star three piece balls in conjunction with Cleveland wedges have been a feature amongst the SFG players on tour this year and are transforming the game at this level. 2011 sponsors have included Loudmouth, Glenmuir, Motocaddy, Bushnell, Champ spikes, GEL putters and Golf International Magazine.

So all in all it promises to be the best contest yet and if the wind blows and the greens are as fast as normal an intriguing one which will see if Team SFG can make it two all!

Chart Hills Mid Amateur Stroke Play Championship

Wyncanton Marketing Services Ltd (Whitstable, Kent. UK) are pleased to announce a new golf championship for Mid Amateur golfers in the UK. The Chart Hills Mid Amateur Stroke Play Championship will take place at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent on Thursday 29th March 2012.

The tournament will be held over 36 holes in one day, with the winner being the player who returns the lowest gross score for the 36 holes. Prizes will be given for the first 4 places in the scratch event and the first 3 places in the handicap event and there is an expected prize fund of over £1,000. There is also a prize for the leading player over 50 years of age. The event will be open to all male golfers over the age of 35 and who are in possession of an active CONGU handicap of 12 or less.

“Following on from the success of our first events this year, we decided to add another event for 2012. The feedback was so positive from the players that it cemented our belief that there is a huge gap in the market for new tournaments aimed at golfers aged over 35 years of age.” said Jason Morris, Golf Director of Wyncanton Marketing Services. “The Chart Hills event will kick off the new Mid Amateur Order of Merit which will run throughout the season with prizes for the leading players and will add an extra incentive for the players to do well in each event.”

“These are exciting time for us and the new web site www.midamgolf.co.uk is attracting visitors from all over the world. We are currently planning 6 events for next year and are looking at resurrecting some tournaments that have fallen by the wayside including the Welsh Mid Amateur Championship and potentially the Scottish Mid Amateur.”

Smith stays on a roll

DAVID Smith continued his impressive run of form by surging into a one shot lead in the first round of the Bathgate Cheshire & North Wales Open at Mobberley.

The Swinton Park assistant last month won the De Vere Leeds Cup, professional golf’s oldest trophy, qualified for the European Tour School second stage at the weekend then on Tuesday tied third in the Rocar Moores and Copley Fixby Classic where he birdied the last five holes.

And he produced another nap hand of them at Mobberley his four-under-par 63, crucially picking up a shot at the 18th to keep Ellesmere assistant Martyn Hamer at arm’s length.

Smith, a former Manchester Open champion, admitted that clearing the Tour School hurdle at Dundonald Links in Scotland helped to keep his game sharp.

“It was a bit of a grind up there but I had to stay focused and I’ve carried on in the same frame of mind this week,” said the PGA North Region Order of Merit leader.

He endured the worst of the weather at the well-presented Mobberley course in a £3,500 tournament which has a new sponsor in the Bathgate Group and for the first time has been was thrown open to Lancashire professionals.

The Sandbach-based company, who supply sand to some of the world’s top courses, are also supporting next month’s county matchplay championship at Wilmslow.

Former double PGA National Assistants’ champion Matthew Tottey, from North Wales, is among four players two strokes off the lead.

And 2008 winner Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Driving Range, is one further back.

LEADING SCORES (Par=67): 63 David Smith (Swinton Park); 64 Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere); 65 Matthew Tottey (North Wales), Tim Rich (Royal Lytham & St Annes), Phil Kelly (St Annes Old Links), Richard Booth (Hale); 66 Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range), Tim Rastall (De Vere Mottram Hall), Jonathan Cheetham (Styal); 67 Mike Jones (De Vere Carden Park), Rory Walsh (Ashton-on-Mersey), Jeff Mathews (Mytton Fold), Steve Parry (SPGA), James Cunliffe (Ormskirk).

Longridge Plate

The Longridge Plate is an Individual Stableford for golfers with a handicap of 24 or less.

The event will be held on Sunday 25th September 2011 and there is still time to secure a place. There are gross & nett prizes plus a 2's sweep is included.

Entry is just £15 per person making this excellent value for weekend golf plus the chance to win some prizes.

Download an entry-form.

About Longridge Golf Club

Longridge Golf Club is situated 10 minutes away from junction 31a of the M6 motorway.

The club is located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty overlooking the Ribble Valley.

The course is a fair test and the greens provide a true examination of your putting.

If the wind blows it can play very much like a links course and course management is vital.

Clark cashes in on Tour setback

DAVID Clark retained the Rocar Moores and Copley Fixby Classic title at Huddersfield then attributed his success to failure in last week’s European Tour School qualifier!

“I made a steady start but finished badly and missed by half a dozen shots. I was depressed for a few days but not trying too hard playing in this event seemed to relax me,” he said after adding a 69 to his opening 67 for a six-under-par in total.

Last year the Morpeth teaching professional prevailed after a five-man play-off but this time he showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing pack to win by two shots from Ringway-attached David Brunton.

He overcame a wobble when he bogeyed the 16th, making sure with a birdied on the home green which he eagled the day before.

The PGA North Region Order of Merit ranking competition was played in pro-am format which Clark admitted also helped him to overcome the disappointment of falling at the Tour School hurdle at his seventh attempt.

“My team members were all from Morpeth and they cheered me up. I also like the course,” he added.

Former European Tour player Brunton, lying second overnight, made a late charge to keep the status quo by picking up shots of the last three holes.

And De Vere Leeds Cup winner David Smith, from Swinton Park, also made a late charge as he finished with five successive birdies to tie third with Allerthorpe Park’s James Drinkall.

LEADING SCORES: 136 David Clark (Morpeth) 67 69; 138 David Brunton (Ringway) 70 68; 142 David Smith (Swinton Park) 72 70, James Drinkall (Allerthorpe Park) 72 70; 142 Robert Booth (Halifax Bradley Hall) 73 70, Martyn Hamer (Ellesmere) 73 70, Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 71 72, Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 70 73.

Trick Shot Maestro David Edwards appears at the Solheim Cup

As the focus of the golfing world shifts from the Walker Cup battle in Scotland to Ireland for the Solheim Cup next week David Edwards is planning to bring his own brand of trick shot mastery to entertain the galleries.

As the leading women’s players from the USA prepare to take on their European counterparts at Killeen Castle from September 23 to 25 the former European Professional will be demonstrating his unique array of golf skills, including his world record breaking scissor shots routine, ahead of the official opening ceremony.

David Edwards is renowned around the world for his mastery of shots using unconventional and downright bizarre equipment, However it is mostly his skills and the unbelievable control over the golf ball he possesses which make the audience stare in sheer amazement. All of this spiced up with some hilariously funny impersonations of tour players and the ever changing pace of the show wins David a leading place in the industry and repeated invitations to return back to major golf tournaments and high profile corporate events.

“I performed last year at the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor so I am very much looking forward to appearing at the Solheim Cup in Ireland.” said David. “The atmosphere at such a prestigious team event will be tense in the build-up and I think everyone welcomes a little light relief. I have appeared many times in Ireland and I know they enjoy the show and seeing what you can do with the golf swing.”

The appearance at the Solheim Cup will be on Thursday 22 September 2011 at 4pm on the first tee ahead of the official opening ceremony.

Trick shots are just one part of David’s armoury and he regularly tours golf clubs around the UK and beyond delivering his video commentary on golf days. His tongue-in-cheek observations and wry humour are proving at golf events as the ideal way to round off the day in the clubhouse.

In November David will take his show overseas to America to perform at the Concession Golf Club in Florida before returning to entertain the visitors to The London Golf Show at Earls Court from November 11-13

For more information visit www.david-edwards.co.uk or tel 07887545114 / 01724733213.

Clark’s off to a flyer

DAVID Clark made a perfect start to defending his Rocar Moores and Copley Fixby Classic title with a four-under-par 67 at the Huddersfield course.

And the Morpeth teaching professional staged a grandstand finish with an eagle on the final hole.

He tagged it on to three birdies to take a three shot lead into the final round over fellow North East player Paul Fiddes, from Matfen Hall; Brookdale assistant Grant Hamerton and Ringway-attached David Brunton.

It’s up to you, Steve!

THE destiny of the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit title is in the hands of Steve McGlynn.

He needs to finish in the top seven in the final event, the Pendle Witch at Clitheroe on Sunday, to overtake leader Richie Blundell.

The Blackburn player moved to within 30 points of the Hillside man when he claimed third place in the Trafalgar Trophy at Nelson.

But Blundell and Mark Young, the only other remaining challenger, will miss the Clitheroe showdown because they are in the six-man Lancashire side defending the English County Championship at Ganton.

And that’s opens the door for McGlynn who was ironically named as a non-travelling reserve for the tournament along with Southport & Ainsdale’s Sean Towndrow.

Meanwhile, Longridge’s Young, chasing his fourth Order of Merit crown in five years, met his own Waterloo by pulling out at Nelson because of a family commitment.

Host club player Nick Uttley became the first to win the Trafalgar Trophy four times, getting the verdict on countback from clubmate Craig Fort after posting two-under-par totals.

Uttley carded 70 and 68 while Fort signed for a brace of 69s, McGlynn a shot behind.

SCORES (Par=70): 138 Nick Uttley (Nelson) 70 68, Craig Fort (Nelson) 69 69; 139 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 71 68; 140 Daniel Nutter (Clitheroe) 71 69, Tony Flanagan (Clitheroe) 70 70; 142 James Bowditch (Adlington Golf Centre) 69 73, Ian Hardman (Accrington) 68 74, Richie Blundell (Hillside) 67 75; 144 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 72 72; 146 Adam Fothergill (Marsden Park) 75 71, Tony Holt (Wilpshire) 73 73, Nathan Lingard (Marsden Hall) 68 78.

STANDINGS: 1,090pts Richie Blundell (Hillside); 1,060 Steve McGlynn (Blackburn); 965 Mark Young (Longridge); 710 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 525 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 475 James Bolton (Formby); 375 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe); 360 James Newton (Prestbury); 330 Robert Fawcett (Dukinfield), D Nutter (Clitheroe); 325 Henry Featherstone (Ringway).

New mid-amateur golf tour announced for 2012

Wyncanton Marketing Services Ltd (Whitstable, Kent. UK) are pleased to announce a new golf tour for Mid-Amateur golfers in the UK. The Mid Amateur Golf Tour & Order of Merit will run from the first event of the year at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent and then take in such courses as Sunningdale, Hankley Common, Royal St David’s and at least 12 other courses across the UK.

Any male golfer 35 years of age or over, who is a member of a golf club and has an active CONGU handicap will be eligible to have their scores included in the order of merit and play on the tour, with the winner being the player who has the best points score from at least 6 rounds throughout the year. Points towards the order of merit are awarded to the players in the top 30 places in the scratch event. The winner(s) will also receive prizes for finishing in the top places on the order of merit.

“Following on from the success of our first events this year and the launch of the dedicated web site at www.midamgolf.co.uk , we felt it time to give the players something to aim for and add a bit of spice to all of the events throughout 2012.” said Jason Morris, Golf Director of Wyncanton Marketing Services. “Mid-Amateur events are becoming increasingly popular with some events attracting in excess of 66 players all with handicaps of 2 or less. We also want to add events to the schedule that cater for the other golfers who get balloted out of some of the more established events.”

“These are exciting time for us and the new web site is attracting visitors from all over the world. We are currently planning 6 new events for 2012 and are looking at resurrecting some tournaments that have fallen by the wayside including the Welsh Mid Amateur Championship and possibly the Scottish Mid Amateur.”

Players can register for the tour and order of merit at www.midamgolf.co.uk.

Wyncanton Marketing Services are an event management company who specialise in arranging golf events, corporate golf events and society days.

Dodge races away with Europro Tour title

Dodge Kemmer became the first American to win on the PGA EuroPro Tour after he powered to victory in the Integral Collection Classic.

California-based Kemmer, 24, won the event, the penultimate one of the season, as he finished five shots clear of Jon White (Saunton GC) at the Hunley Hotel and Golf Club in North Yorkshire.

“I hit the ball well on the first day and putted well on the second with a little bit of both on the third,” said Kemmer, who was ranked inside the top 20 in the world amateur rankings before turning professional in 2010.

“I came over to play in the KLM Open (on the European Tour) last week and am playing again next week so I wanted something to play in this week.

“It’s definitely helped with my experience and I won’t get to play as well as this at every course. The Tour is great, well run and everyone I spoke to has been really nice so it’s been a great experience.

“This victory is definitely near the top of my achievements. I’ve only had a couple of wins playing professionally and this was one of my best showings.

“Every day I did something really well and today in the front nine I put it all together and never had to panic.

“It’s good to know my game is good enough to win and is a good confidence boost going into Tour School.”

Kemmer and Steve Uzzell (Hornsea GC) began the last day sharing the lead but Kemmer made four birdies in his front nine to claim an outright lead that he would not lose as he finished on -9 (207) overall.

Uzzell’s hopes of winning the title and claiming the £10,000 top prize ended with a poor run in the back nine that included five bogeys between the 10th and 15th.

The best round of the final day came from Adam Keogh (Boston West), who shot a 67 (-5) on Friday to be one of three players in tied third on -3 overall along with Uzzell and Toby Burden (Hayling GC).

John Spagnuolo (The Sports Academy) led the competition after an opening day 68 (-4) but finished in 57th after disappointing scores of 79 (+7) on Thursday and 80 (+8) on Friday.

Graeme Clark (Doncaster GC), second in the Order of Merit, looked like missing the cut following a round of 79 (+7) on Wednesday but claimed a place in the top 15 after scores of 66 (-6) and 70 (-2) on the last two days.

The top 60 players have now qualified for the last event of the campaign, the 888poker.com Tour Championship at Mar Menor in Murcia, Spain on October 5-7.

Competition will be fierce as the top five players in the Order of Merit after the Tour Championship will secure their spots on next season’s Challenge Tour.

Only Chris Hanson and Clark have so far won enough money to be guaranteed a spot in the top five in the money list.

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

Barnett targets Open glory

ANDREW Barnett heads an impressive field assembled for the 36-hole Bathgate Cheshire and North Wales Open which starts at Mobberley on Tuesday (Sept 20).

The Macclesfield-born former Welsh amateur international, who won the title in three years ago, lost by a shot to 2009 PGA Cup team-mate Will Barnes in this week’s pro-am at Aberdovey and Royal St David’s, his home course.

But he will have been inspired by that performance as he seeks his first regional win of the season after several other close finishes.

The £3,500 tournament, sponsored by Sandbach-based Bathgate Group who are also supporting next month’s county matchplay championship at Wilmslow, has been thrown open to Lancashire players for the first time.

Leading the Red Rose challenge is Steve Parry, who topped the North Region Order of Merit last year.

The Bolton-born professional, who runs the North West Golf Academy at Hart Common, is among 20 Lancastrians in the line-up including serial winner Barry Taylor, from Houghwood, and former North Region champion Mark Bradley, from Chorley.

And if one of them prevails, he will match the unprecedented achievement by John Wells who became the first Yorkshireman to win the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Heron’s Reach five weeks ago.

The title could also go to another “outsider” because host club professional Gary Donnison is from Newcastle!

The Race to Cyprus 2011 - Grand Final

The Gtour, The Uk's biggest Amateur golf tour, is building up to an exciting finish to the 2011 season as it’s set to host the final qualifying event of the season at De Vere Mottram Hall on the 17th September. Shortly after the ‘The Race to Cyprus’ Order of Merit will be cut to the top 52 players who will then battle it out in a two-day UK semi-final event at De Vere Belton Woods in November.

The UK Semi-final will see the top 10 players earn the right to compete in the two-day Grand Final event at Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus happening between 19 - 23 January 2012 and have the chance to become the Gtour’s maiden winner of the ‘The Race to Cyprus’ Order of Merit.

Building on two very successful seasons in 2009 and 2010, the Gtour Order of Merit was renamed ‘The Race to Cyprus’ following renewed partnership with De Vere, Srixon, Bunker Mentality, Golfbreaks.com, Aphrodite Hills and as the tour has further grown in 2011 two new sponsorships were added.

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation joined at the start of season to further build on the relationship between Gtour and golf in Cyprus and then in August 2011 the tour announced that Aegean Airlines, the preferred Airline of the PGA of Europe would become its latest sponsor, with whom the 10 finalists will fly along with staff, friends and family for the grand final in Cyprus.

In addition to the flights the 10 finalists will receive complimentary accommodation, two rounds of golf on the championship course at Aphrodite Hills and clothing for the Grand Final from Bunker Mentality, proud sponsor of the Gtour since 2009.

"We always say Bunker Mentality is a real golf brand for real golfers" said Robert Hart, Brand Director at Bunker Mentality. “All the guys who play the Gtour are real golfers and the tour is fast becoming the number one amateur tour in the UK".

Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus, the venue of ‘The Race to Cyprus’ Grand Final is the first and only fully integrated Leisure and Activities Resort development of its kind in Cyprus, and is home to a magnificent 18-hole championship golf course, spreading over 6,299 metres and overlooking the site where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is said to have emerged from the sea. The golf course also has a dedicated 3-hole Golf Academy and magnificent clubhouse.

Business Development Director of Aphrodite Hills Resort Cyprus Andreas Vasiliou said:

"We are proud to have supported the Gtour for the past two years and we look forward to seeing the finalists and the many spectators in January at the resort.”

Open to all golfers whether you are a club golfer or not and whether you play off scratch or 28 (36 for ladies) you are welcome to take part in the Gtour where membership is free. The unique Order of Merit,‘The Race to Cyprus’ is a tiered competition based on a players best three scores taken throughout the season, the Gtour scoring system is points based and weighted on competitors and event position.

The 2011 season has been remarkably open as the tour welcomed multiple first time winners and a host of new players both men and women as news of the tour spreads far a wide and its popularity has increased.

​Tournament Director Colin Astbury says the 2011 season is just the beginning of what’s to come:

“I am delighted with dramatic response to this year’s tour and of course the growth of the Gtour since 2009. It’s an honour to have partnered with such prestigious brands for the third year running and most importantly to have engaged with hundreds of competitive and social amateur golfers up and down the country."

Astbury added, “2011 has been a very enjoyable year for all involved with the Gtour and we are very much looking forward to announcing details of the 2012 tournament soon".

The last event in the qualifying season is 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 event visit www.gtour.co.uk

Dodge motors into share of lead at Hunley

AMERICAN Dodge Kemmer holds a share of the lead going into the final day of the Integral Collection Classic.

The event, held at the Hunley Hotel and Golf Club in North Yorkshire, is the penultimate competition of the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour season and California-based Kemmer shares the lead with Steve Uzzell on -6 (138).

Kemmer showed his pedigree last week when he played in the KLM Open on the main European Tour, missing the cut by only one shot and finishing higher than top players including Martin Kaymer, Edoardo Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen and Jose Maria Olazabal.

After a round of -2 (70) on Wednesday, Kemmer followed that with a score of -4 (68) in a round that included birdies at the third, seventh, 10th, 12th and 14th and a bogey at the 16th.

The top 60 players in the Order of Merit after this tournament will qualify for the end of season 888poker.com Tour Championship at Mar Menor in Murcia, Spain on October 5-7.

Steve Uzzell (Hornsea GC) was ranked 54th in the money list before this event and is on course for the £10,000 top prize as he begins the last day with a share of the lead.

He shot a round of -3 (69), as he had done on the opening day, although two bogeys in the first five holes denied him an outright advantage.

George Parker (The London Club), Zane Scotland (Princes) and Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall) all performed well on Thursday with rounds of -5 (67).

Parker shot back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eighth and then again at the 12th and 13th.

Scotland and Hanson both made eagles, at the third and seventh respectively, to comfortably make the cut.

Order of Merit leader Hanson, a three-time winner already this season, had looked in danger of not qualifying for the final day after a score of +2 (74) left him six shots behind day one leader John Spagnuolo.

However, the best score of the day came from Graeme Clark, second in the money list, as his -6 (66) included four birdies in five holes from the fourth to the eighth.

It proved to be a day to forget for Spagnuolo as he failed to make any birdies and his effort of +7 (79) featured double bogeys at the 11th and 18th.

A total of 57 players made the cut to advance to the final day’s play with +4 being the cut-off point.

Play starts at 8am on Friday and hole-by-hole scoring will appear on www.europrotour.com throughout the day.

Spagnuolo hits form at vital time on PGA EuroPro Tour

John holds one shot lead after opening round of penultimate event.

John Spagnuolo looks to have timed his form perfectly as he leads the penultimate PGA EuroPro Tour event of the season by one stroke after the opening round at Hunley Hall in North Yorkshire.

Spagnuolo (The Sports Academy) started the Integral Collection Classic five places outside the top 60 places on the Order of Merit but a four-under par round of 68 sees him lead on day one.

Only the top 60 will make it to the 888poker.com Tour Championship at Mar Menor in Murcia, Spain on October 5-7, and Spagnuolo gave his chances a huge boost, kicking off on the back nine with three birdies through his first six holes. A dropped shot at the seventh halted his charge but he roared down his back nine with birdies at four, six and seven before a bogey at the ninth and last took the gloss off an otherwise great day’s work.

Steve Uzzell is just on the right side of the top 60 in 54th spot and he trails Spagnuolo by one stroke after an eagle on par-five third helped him fire a round of 69. Uzzell (Hornsea Golf Club) is joined in a tie for second spot by Shaun Mills (Orsett GC) who picked up three birdies on his back nine to post his three-under par round.

A grandstand finish for Duncan McCarthy sees him head a pack of six players at two-under par. McCarthy (Moortown GC) looked to be heading for a two-over round after 15 holes on the opening day, but a brilliant birdie-eagle-birdie finish sees him right in the mix. American Dodge Kenner had the same run from the second hole – his 11th – to shoot 70, while Kevin Harper (East Devon Golf Club) and Jon White (Saunton Golf Club) both picked up four birdies in their two-under par rounds. A double-bogey five at the 13th robbed Toby Burden of a four-under par round and Michael Hempstock completes the sextet at two-under par.

Order of Merit leader Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall Golf Club) was level par going into the final three holes but a double-bogey, birdie and bogey to the 18th saw the winner of three tournaments on this year’s tour finish on two-over par.

The second round of the Integral Collection Classic from Hunley Hall in North Yorkshire begins at 7.30am with live scoring available at www.EuroProTour.com.

41st Hampshire PGA Matchplay Championship

The semi-finals and final of this year's Hampshire PGA Matchplay Championship are being played at Brokenhurst Manor GC on Monday 19th September.

Richard Lewington (Sherfield Oaks) takes on Kevin Saunders (Brokenhurst Manor) in the first semi-final at 08.30hrs and Doug Wright (Amer Sports) plays Mike Deeley (La Moye) in the second semi-final at 08.45hrs.

The Final takes place on Monday afternoon at 14.00hrs.

Lewington lost to John Hay in the Final in 1984 while Saunders won at Lee-on-the-Solent in 1993 but then lost to Philip Bryden at the Army in 2001.

Lora retires after glittering tour career

LORA Fairclough has sunk her last putt on the Ladies European Tour.

“It is time to go,” said the four-time winner and Solheim Cup player who joined the professional ranks 20 years ago following a sparkling amateur career.

“I’ve been suffering from a knee injury from a skiing accident which kept me out of action last season and despite two operations it’s still not right and that accelerated my decision.

“I tried to make a comeback this summer although I did all right in the first two tournaments my game was not what it was and my self-belief had gone.”

“I’ve seen players a lot older than me continuing to compete, and some of them successfully, but that’s not for me.”

Lora, 41, is back in her Adlington home after a brief spell living in West Sussex and is embarking on a second career as a coach, expanding her public speaking engagements and playing pro-ams.

But her main ambition is to try to attract more youngsters, especially girls, into the game.

“It’s shameful that clubs have so few junior members,” she said.

Her own roots are firmly planted at Chorley Golf Club where, encouraged by her dad Gerald, she picked up her first club when she was 11.

“I was six months too young to join but the secretary turned a blind eye,” she recalled.

In her rookie LET season she won £9,000 and by 1993 had trebled the sum, thanks to her maiden victory in the IMB Open which earned her a place in the European team for the biennial Solheim Cup match against the United States the following year.

Despite Mickey Walker’s side losing 13-7 at West Virginia resort The Greenbrier, Lora won her foursomes and fourball matches with Dale Reid before succumbing to Kelly Robbins in the singles.

“That was my most memorable experience,” she said. “Playing for your country is a great honour.”

She had plenty of experience on that score through her amateur days, as a girl and full England international and representing Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy in 1990.

She was also England Girl and Intermediate champion and won the Northern title twice and the English Schools’ crown.

But it was as a Lancashire player that Lora first made her mark, claiming the county championship on two occasions.

“I owe a lot to the people who helped me in those early days,” especially my coach Howard Bennett,” she reflected.

Back on tour, 1995 was her most successful season, winning the Ford Classic and European Masters and banked more than £81,000 as she achieved her best ranking of four. She also won the German Open in 1998 and three minor tournaments.

“I’ve been very fortunate but now I feel a cloud has been lifted and I’m excited about doing other things,” she added. “I’ve a lot of experience and I want to pass it on.”