SLOW play has been targeted in York to crack down on rounds that are stretching beyond four hours.

Eric Wainwright, the York Union of Golf Clubs' competition secretary, told the Evening Press the problem of slow play was becoming 'massive' and that competition organisers were primed to impose penalties.

The warning comes in the wake of European Tour professional Simon Khan being slammed by a record £8,000 fine for slow play at the Nissan Irish Open only last week after taking 16 seconds too long over his tee shot on a par-three hole.

While such swingeing cash penalties are out of the remit of the local scene, Wainwright warned players that it is within the Rules of Golf to punish slow play with a two-shot penalty.

Said Wainwright: "The York Union, and golf administration in general, are becoming increasingly aware that a round of golf, which should not exceed four hours, is now being stretched to a 'norm' of four-and-a-half hours in competition play.

"Due to the size of a course control is extremely difficult and players are asked to regulate their rounds accordingly.

"When challenged the cause is generally someone else, never them. But any time lost by a group impinges on the remaining competitors and the time is never recovered."

Under the sport's rules slow play can be punished by a two-shot penalty, a severe blow for anyone chasing honours. However, Wainwright conceded it did little harm to players not in contention.

So that was when players had to adhere to 'course etiquette' and allow groups who are waiting behind to come on through. Added the YUGC secretary: "Under the heading of 'pace of play' in the interests of all, players should play without delay and if their action is delaying players behind, they should allow them to pass.

"All players should be aware that if the game following is constantly waiting to play then they are delaying play."

Wainwright acts as a marshal in Yorkshire Union events - he was one of an eight-strong team monitoring play at an event at Driffield Golf Club this week - and time limits are set. It is reckoned it should take 15 minutes to clear a par-five hole, 13 minutes for a par-four and 11 minutes for a par-three. That gives a total round time of under four hours.

Yet he revealed that at a recent York Union event by half-way play was smoothly advancing at under six minutes the allotted time, only to be 35 minutes over by its finish.

He had his own motto to combat slow play, Wainwright's words of wisdom being: "Keep in touch with the players in front instead of just being ahead of the players behind."

GOLD was struck by Kilnwick Percy GC's Malcolm Sharkey.

In winning the division two of the May medal with a net 63, he not only reduced his handicap to 21, but also won the English Golf Union Gold medal putting him into the Yorkshire regional draw to represent the club at the National Golf Centre.

Robert Lafrance, playing off 18, won the division one with a net 65 ahead of Graham Haigh, Mark Gatenby and Stephen Budd, who all carded 67.

James Haigh won the junior medal grossing 82 (net 67) to win by six shots from Kalum Horne, while Carol Kilford led the ladies event with Iona Buckle second and Vivien Howson third.

PIKE Hills GC's 12th annual charity golf day pulsed even stronger.

More than £7,500 was raised, including £200 from York and District Indoor Bowls Club, for the York Coronary Support Group and the Cardiology Fund of York District Hospital.

That takes the club's total raised for coronary care in York in the last dozen years to almost £60,000 for the York Coronary Support Group.

The event fittingly was won by the Pike Hills team of Jack Smith, Andy Sinclair and father and son pairing Brian and Neil Bevan with 123 points.

FOUR of the area's golfers have driven into the regional final of the Audi Quattro Cup.

Selby's David Middleton, Malcolm Steel from Eggborough, Kilnwick Percy GC player Chris Gunby and Nick Wilson from Grafton, near Knaresborough, topped the placings in the York Audi (Clifton Moor) sponsored event at The Oaks course at Aughton.

Middleton won the stableford event with 43 points ahead of Steel, Gunby and Wilson on 42, 39 and 38 respectively to earn their slots in the regional final at Slaley Hall in Hexham on July 28.

SELBY GC professional Nick Ludwell missed out on the prestigious Yorkshire Open title by just one shot.

Ludwell produced the best second round of the tournament at Huddersfield GC, a level-par 70 to add to his opening round of 73. But it was just not enough as Beverly and East Riding pro John Wells took the spoils with rounds of 69 and 73.

Ganton GC's Gary Brown was joint third with three others on 146 (74 72), with Harrogate's Paul Johnson ten shots further back after two rounds of 78.

tony.kelly@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 12:11 Saturday, May 28, 2005