SIX weeks ahead of its official opening the Flaxby Park Golf and Country Club has ended its membership drive.

Interest has been so keen in the 27-hole course located near the A1 between York and Harrogate that the course has posted 'membership full' notices.

Enthused operations director Iain Russell-Jarvie: "We have been inundated with applications for membership in the last month and have had to start a waiting list.

"It's not surprising. The course is already looking fantastic and will be a real test of golf."

The club's 18-hole championship course is to celebrate its opening on July 1, with a nine-hole academy course and a 24-bay floodlit driving range planned to open in 2005. An associated four-star hotel and spa is also planned for next year.

Added Russell-Jarvie: "We have restricted membership at the club to 350 because we want to ensure our members enjoy the course and all the benefits of golf club membership while still providing reasonable opportunities for visitors, guests of the hotel and corporate parties."

Designed by leading golf architect David Hemstock, the course features more than 15,000 newly-planted trees, ten lakes and nearly 100 bunkers.

The par-72 18-hole course is nearly 7,000 yards from the championship tees but offers tee positions for juniors as well as women and men as the club bids to establish itself as one of the premier golf and leisure centres in the North of England.

Visitors' green fees have been set at £25 per round/£35 per day during the week and £35 per round/£47 per day at weekends. Tee times must be pre-booked.

Anyone interested in joining the membership waiting list or booking a corporate day is asked to call Russell-Jarvie tel 01423 339911 or e-mail enquiries@flaxbyparkgolf.com or visit the website on www.flaxbyparkgolf.com

TWO of the area's clubs have bagged a top-flight award for their dedication to junior golf.

Kilnwick Percy GC and Malton and Norton GC have each been awarded the Junior GolfMark which was launched last September by the English Golf Union and English Ladies' Golf Association.

After being evaluated in three categories of their junior section - coaching and playing club environment; and child protection and duty of care - the clubs were granted the distinguished award which is aimed at promoting the development of golf for juniors.

At Kilnwick Percy, Anne Clayton, Judith Triffitt and professional Joe Townhill were delighted by the recognition to the club's on-going commitment to junior golf.

And, in timely celebration, Townhill displayed fine form to finish second in the north region qualifying round of the Glenmuir PGA Club Professionals' championship at Moortown GC in Leeds.

Townhill shot a three-under-par 69 to earn a place in the prestigious final at Southport and Ainsdale in August.

Kilnwick's May medal was won by division two winner Richard Pink ahead of Chris Buckle, while the ladies' overall winner was Carol Kilford ahead of Iona Buckle.

The Pocklington Chamber of Trade and Commerce will award a new trophy at this year's Golf Day on June 2 in memory of Ken Suttle, who served the Chamber for many years.

ELVIS Presley impersonator Tony Skingle shook up the rest of the opposition in the Lombard Trophy regional qualifier at Sand Moor.

The 41-year-old Scarborough South Cliff professional and amateur partner Mick Ellis, a retired builder, posted and 11-under-par 60 with Skingle shooting seven birdies and an eagle as they won by four shots from nearest rivals Steve Raybould and Matthew Whitehead (Bridlington Links).

Now in the sights for the South Cliff pairing is a dream five-day trip to San Lorenzo in Portugal for the Grand Final on September 3-7.

YORK Union of Golf Clubs' first Yorkshire Inter-Union match ended in a gallant 21-15 defeat against Bradford and District at Skipton.

The match was evenly balanced until the last two matches from which the hosts prised three points for victory.

Team captain Neil Thompson (Scarthingwell GC) led by example, winning both his matches while debutant James Hudson (Pike Hills) had won his singles tie.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, May 22, 2004