HALL to play for is the motivational mission that has driven Simon Appleton back to his North Yorkshire roots.

After spells as an assistant at both York GC and Malton and Norton, followed by his most recent employment as senior coaching pro at Otley, the York-born golf professional takes outright control for the first time when he assumes command at the new Sandburn Hall GC in Flaxton.

For the past three years, the new 18-hole course has taken towering shape. Some finishing touches are still to be executed, but the programme of works is on schedule to be completed for its planned grand opening on June 10.

By that time Appleton will have been in situ for more than a week as the club's first professional - a post he deemed as being highly prized and privileged.

Enthused the 28-year-old: "It's been a few years since I have worked in the area, but I have always lived in York, even though I worked in Otley.

"While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there, it was always my intention to get back to York and to establish myself at a club.

"Now I feel very honoured to be the first professional at Sandburn Hall Golf Club. I am very, very excited about the prospect. Both the club and myself want to make an impact and we are both determined to do so."

As he pondered his new domain, Appleton was certain Sandburn Hall GC would soon confirm itself as one of North Yorkshire's principal clubs.

"The facilities are first-class. The course looks superb and the attention to detail has been second to none," said the new professional.

"The club wants to advance and there is ample scope for that. It really is a superior venue and I am sure it will have a major impact in the area and to be its first professional is a fantastic privilege."

Appleton obtained a sure-fire grounding in the ways of the professional after five years at Strensall under the tutelage of then pro Tony Mason, followed by 18 months at Malton and Norton, where his boss was esteemed coaching professional Steve Robinson.

Now he is eager to stamp his own identity and authority on the brand new course, where his remit will include heading up the club's Academy for which two purpose-built holes have been constructed.

Appleton, who sampled competitive success in Dubai last winter, has been delighted by his new employers according time for him to continue competing. Indeed he will open his first day as the club pro by appearing in a northern PGA qualifier at Malton and Norton.

Definitely a case of 'it's Hall go' for the returning son of York.

YORK Union's opening Yorkshire Inter-District Union Golf League fixture ended in a battling 25-11 defeat against hosts Leeds, whose team was sprinkled with internationals and current county players.

The visitors to Moortown GC only managed one victory in the opening foursomes competition, youngsters Stuart Parkin (Malton and Norton) and Philip Dobson (The Oaks) securing the win. Dobson also won his afternoon singles match against Steven Cain, while Parkin halved his tie against Barry Hardcastle.

Brave performances from Martin Brown (Pike Hills) and Alistair Smith (Heworth) in the foursomes ended in a narrow defeat on the final green. Despite Smith winning his singles match it was heartbreak again for Brown, who lost his duel against David Appleyard on the 18th green.

But York can take heart for the rest of the campaign from their opening-day exploits.

Updated: 09:15 Saturday, May 21, 2005