SELBY Golf Club professional Nick Ludwell could be forgiven for thinking what might have been' when he tees off on his own course next Wednesday.

He will be among 53 other Northern Professional Golfers' Association players from the North-East competing in the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship - the principal event for Britain's club pros.

Ludwell was within a single stroke of not even having to attempt the qualifier next Wednesday at his own Selby course when he carded 289 in the 72-hole Glenmuir event at the Prince's course in Sandwich last June. That gave him a tie for 21st place, but it was a finish tinged with regret as only the top 20 finishers were exempt from this year's qualifying rounds.

Now the 35-year-old Ludwell, who starred on the full European Tour in 2000, is hoping to finish in the top 14 to advance to this year's Glenmuir final at Royal Porthcawl, where the winner will take the first prize of £10,000.

Another major incentive is that the Great Britain and Ireland team to defend the PGA Cup in Georgia in America in September will be chosen largely from the leading players' performances in the final.

EASI pickings ruled in the York Union of Golf Clubs' opening competition of the season.

The Sharpe Trophy, won last year by an Easingwold pairing, went the same way at The Oaks Golf Club where Easingwold duo Peter Smith and Eddie Conway returned a card of 65 to pip Scarthingwell's G Glassby and G Kitchen by one stroke.

Robin Cass and Mark Ainsworth of Kirkbymoorside GC also posted a 66 but were nudged into third spot on count-back.

In an bizarre aside, another Scarthingwell pairing may well have won the compeition had they not managed to infringe a Union rule preventing the use of riding on buggies during its competitions, save in exceptional circumstances.

JOAN Harrison, Forest Park GC's new lady captain, got the ladies season off to a fine start with her drive-in competition - the Spring Trophy - won by Sharon Clipperton with 43 stableford points.