UNION dues could be rewarded with a strike for glory this summer.

York Union of Golf Clubs' Inter-District Union campaign gets under way a week tomorrow at Leeds with the York ranks at arguably their most talented for some years.

That was the verdict of YUGC secretary Mike Thompson as he announced the first squad for the season's opener against Leeds at Moortown GC on Sunday, May 15.

"This is as strong a squad as we have ever had," he enthused. "None of the players are more than three handicap and in captain Neil Thompson of Scarthingwell GC they have an inspiration to all the players."

York will be seeking an upturn in Union fortunes of late. They endured a dispiriting 2004 during which they lost all but one of their seven Inter-Union fixtures, though several of the half a dozen losses were by narrow margins. The one success was a half against their East Riding counterparts at Pike Hills GC.

This year the squad has been further boosted by the return to the competitive arena of 19-year-old Stuart Parkin.

The Malton and Norton GC player was the star of 2002 and 2003 when he won consecutive York Match-Play championships, his first triumph coming at the age of 16. But he missed out on any play at all last season due to a serious car accident.

Now edging closer to full fitness, the Whitby-born Parkin will be striving to hone his game back into its smoothest groove again.

Two other youngsters out to make a significant impression will be The Oaks' Tom Parry and Philip Dobson.

The full York Union squad for the opener is: Martin Brown, Adrian Lount, James Hudson (all Pike Hills GC); Alistair Smith, Neil Smith, Jim Batt, Steve Lockwood (all Heworth); Jamie Smith, Matthew Wood, Iain Simpson (all Fulford); Neil Thompson (captain), Chris Watson (both Scarthingwell); Tom Parry, Philip Dobson (The Oaks); Stuart Parkin (Malton and Norton); Nick Marchant (Forest of Galtres).

THERE'S a new countdown now for one-time king of the boxing ring, Henry Wharton.

The former undefeated European, Commonwealth and British super-middleweight champion has seen his handicap cut from ten to eight after a knockout performance to win the second qualifying round of Fulford GC's Victory Cup. His seven-under-par nett 65 (gross 75) nudged him three shots clear of nearest rival Daniel Leaf.

The best gross prize was a two-under-par 70 for Matthew Kelly to take him to scratch.

ENTRIES are still open for the annual charity day at Beverley and East Riding GC on Friday, May 27.

Now in its sixth year, the event is open to teams or individual golfers of all abilities and cash raised will go to Cancer Research UK. The entry fee is £22.50 per player and details can be obtained from organiser Steve Fulstow tel 01482 654592 or by e-mail at stevefulstow@tiscali.co.uk

MALTON and Norton GC have been relegated from division seven of the Yorkshire team championship after their four-man team total of 641 at Doncaster Town Moor was eight shots shy of safety. The Oaks (634) were also relegated.

Updated: 10:10 Saturday, May 07, 2005