AN A1 position and an A1 aim - that's the dual driving position of North Yorkshire's newest flagship course.

The new Flaxby Park Golf and Country Club situated between York and Harrogate and barely a one-wood blow from the cusp of the A1 motorway is ready for its full-blooded swing into operation on July 1. But interest in the course has already been immense, said its operations director Iain Russell-Jarvie.

It has already exceeded its initial membership targets by more than 25 per cent with both five-day and senior membership categories closed to new applicants after being taken up to their capacity.

By the end of this month membership will have likely reached its 350 maximum much to the delight of Russell-Jarvie.

"It's been overwhelming. We expected to get really busy in May and June, but the membership is almost full. The interest has been most encouraging," he said. "We have seen enormous interest in membership and also corporate golf days.

"Geographically we have got a superb site - it's a dream site. The convenient location of the club adjacent to the A1M and the outstanding quality of the course design have been important factors in this success."

It's been at least two years now that former flat farmland - owned by the Armstrong and Mattocks families - has been transformed into a rolling, amply-curved course designed by leading architect David Hemstock. More than 15,000 trees have been planted, ten lakes created and just to examine the amateur golfer yet more acutely, close on 100 bunkers have been installed.

All are designed to add up to what the owners and club officials want to provide when the par-72 18 hole course opens on the first day of July - one of the premier clubs in the area. With a nine-hole academy course and 24-bay floodlit driving range to open next year and a linked four-star hotel and spa also planned for 2005, that achievement could soon be in the proverbial bag.

Added Russell-Jarvie: "We are looking to provide a very high standard of golf for private members as well as visitors, combined with the ambience and professionalism of a modern country club. We offer membership for all types of golfer and there will be additional facilities available through the hotel."

The club is offering full seven day membership for £550 per year (1 April to 30 March) and as a special opening offer is waiving the normal £550 joining fee for people who join by June 30. Also, as the club does not open until July 1, seven-day members will only pay £412 this year.

Anyone interested in membership or a corporate golf days can call Russell-Jarvie on 01423 339911 or email enquiries@flaxbyparkgolf.com. Information is also available on the club's website www.flaxbyparkgolf.com

For the eighth year Flamborough Head GC is to host The Amken Classic, a charity competition in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief.

This year the better-ball stableford event open to men's, women's and mixed pairs will be played on Friday, August 6, starting at 10am.

First prize is a three day/two night golf break for two people including bed, breakfast, dinner and three days' golf which has been donated by North Shore Hotel, Skegness.

There are also golf balls autographed by Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros for the longest drive and nearest the pin.

The cost of entry is £30 per pair and more details are available from Ian Rogers tel (0113) 243 6970 or 07889 227601. He can also be 'e'-mailed on ian@amken.co.uk

Kilnwick Percy GC's impressive form in the Humber Alliance continued at Hainsworth Park.

Ten-handicapper Martin Anderson partnered PGA-qualified professional Joe Townhill, (scratch) to a nett 63 to lead the field. Combined with club-mates Kyle Mathers and Toby Gowthorpe, who posted a 70, they improved Kilnwick Percy's team placing to third in the Alliance. The leaders are Bridlington Links with Brough GC in second just three points ahead of Kilnwick.

In the club's recent strokeplay competition Phil Curtis triumphed with a nett 67 with Mathers second on 68. He also had the lowest gross of the day on 74.

Robin Ford was third with 69 and there were also '2's scored on the sixth by Mathers and on the 15th by Paul Hawkett and Mark Gatenby.

Fulford and The York shared in a thriller in the second round of the Mail On Sunday Golf Club Classic.

The teams were dead-locked at 2-2 after the four singles before Fulford's Kevin Miller beat Kevin Pearson with a par four at the first extra hole to clinch a third round home tie at home to Easingwold on April 25.

But there was no such joy for the Fulford women's team, who crashed out 3-1 to Leeds Cobble Hall club in their second round tie.

Updated: 10:43 Saturday, April 10, 2004