Western front

The 23-year-old assistant professional at the Heslington-based course was today starting the final pre-qualifying bid for a treasured place in the world's greatest individual championship which starts on Thursday at Royal Troon.

Before that coveted destination Ashworth was today embarking on a 36-hole mission to tame the Western Gailes course on the Ayrshire coast in his bid to clinch one of only just three places available to rub shoulders with the elite.

It's an order that is not so much tall as almost Everest-like in degree of difficulty. But Ashworth aims to scale the heights at this sixth attempt of trying to break into the The Open field proper.

After successfully negotiating the regional qualification round at a wind-lashed Alwoodley course to earn this weekend's Scottish exertions, Ashworth told the Evening Press: "It has always been a dream of mine to play in The Open - ever since I first took up the game.

"It's going to be a stiff test to get through this weekend, but that's what it's all about. If I do it then there's no knowing who I might be playing alongside on that first day. That's got to be an incentive."

Ashworth has been at Fulford, where he is assistant to professional Martin Brown, for three years since leaving his native Cumbria. His first club was Brampton near Cumbria, but his knowledge has widened since coming to York.

"I love it here. I've seen a lot more aspects of the work of a professional while I've been at Fulford. It's been great," he enthused.

"I've not really played that much tournament golf this year - my last event was about six weeks ago - before playing at Alwoodley. Maybe that's the answer for me - not to play too much," he quipped.

There was nothing light-hearted about his approach to the demands of qualifying at Alwoodley, where he posted a two-over-par 73 to qualify by a single shot. After a fluctuating opening ten holes where a birdie on the second was negated by dropped shots at the sixth, seventh and tenth, Ashworth was consistency itself as he headed back towards the clubhouse.

"The second part of the course at Alwoodley is the most difficult, especially with the wind against us as it was," he recalled. "But I kept my head down, played straight into the wind and finished with eight straight pars. I was very pleased with that."

Pleasure would rapidly turn into rapture if Ashworth can repeat that feat this weekend and achieve his Open ambition.

ATROCIOUS weather tried its best to disrupt the York Union of Golf Clubs' Yorkshire herald mixed foursomes final played at York GC.

But the players were made of stern stuff and completed a closely-contested duel in which just two shots covered the first eight placings and count-back was needed to separate the pairings.

There were clear winners, however. Forest Park's Fiona Crossley and Gareth Ashton posted a score of 70 which was half a shot better than nearest challengers Maureen Turnbull and John Emmerson of the host club at Strensall.

The remaining six places were determined by count-back with third spot going to Mo Clark and David Smith of Malton and Norton, who pipped their club captain Eddie Ruddock and Pat Ruddock.

FORMER Fulford ladies captain's were in the honours.

Bar Saville won the David Melville Cup with a six-under nett 68 - six ahead of runner-up Trish Mitchell, who took the best gross prize with an 83.

Meanwhile, another ex-captain Kath Stubbs, holed in one with a five wood at the 126-yard 13th in a mixed fourball at Malton and Norton with Phil Robinson against Derek Stubbs and Ann Robinson.

TWENTY of Tadcaster area's top players will put their skills to the test next week in the fourth Healaugh Charity Golf Cup in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The event is organised by the Calcaria Freemasons Lodge, whose secretary Jeff Hewitt said: "The money we raise from this event is always given to Yorkshire Cancer Research. It's impossible not to be aware of the impact cancer has on family and friends."

The Charity Cup will be played at the privately-owned Healaugh course in Wetherby on July 16. For details contact Hewitt tel 01937 834087.

Hewitt and co-organiser Mike Illingworth, a Fulford GC member, are also putting a team together for the Yorkshire Cancer Research club championship at Fulford on September 22. Details from YCR on 01423 501269.

PIKE Hills GC's Martin Brown is the runaway leader in the York Union of Golf Clubs' order of merit table with 80 points up to the end of June.

His nearest challenger is Heworth's Adam Smith on 42 points, who is then trailed by Neil Thompson of Scarthingwell, who is the current captain of the YUGC inter-district representative team.

The order of merit has been introduced this year to find the YUGC's golfer of the year.

A FATHER and son duo had ample to celebrate at Pike Hills GC.

First, Garry Sharrock won the captain's prize with a stableford score of 43 points, edging out Simon Edwards with a better back nine.

Then Garry's dad Bob followed suit with victory on the Pike Hills' Ford Rose Ball event with an exceptional gross 75 (nett 63).

The club's Ladies' Invitation Day winners were Hilary Stone and Philippa Ashley (York GC), whose 67 was matched by two other pairings, but the victors had a count-back of just 11 on the last nine holes.

Ann Terry, a recent recruit to Pike Hills from the now defunct Cocksford GC, won the Glass Medal event with a score of 67, while the Cancer Relief competition continued the family-winning theme when Hanna Batty took the honours on 65 to shade her mum Carmen, who was runner-up with 68.

Terry's thumbs up for Flaxby

FLAXBY Hall Golf and Country Club - the newest course on the North Yorkshire block - was given a resounding fanfare by Evening Press competition winner Terry Downey.

The seven-handicap member of Pike Hills GC won the chance to play on the launch day of the new course near the A1 roundabout on the York to Harrogate road and was instantly won over.

Enthused Downey, whose day began by playing several holes with special launch day guest Paul Hudson, the BBC North television weatherman: "It's a great addition to the area.

"The greens were in excellent condition and it's going to be an even greater test when the trees start to mature. It was a great experience."

Updated: 10:35 Saturday, July 10, 2004