Forest fervour

In the last two or three years the strength of the club's ladies' section has more than doubled and only recently membership topped the 50 mark.

It's an increase that has thrilled Forest of Galtres lady captain Anne Quarmby, whose year of office still has five more months to go.

A member of the scenic course surrounded by some of York's most historic woodland for nigh on five years now, the current captain is striving to swell the numbers of women taking up the game and at all levels too, from the more advanced player to the novice.

Enthused Quarmby: "The ladies' section at Forest of Galtres is doing tremendously well. It is buoyant.

"A lot of people have worked to bring about this increase and they will continue to keep those efforts going."

The principal reason behind the healthy upturn in membership has been mainly due to the club's resolve to ensure an amiable environment in which women golfers of all abilities can thrive.

"The idea has been to create an atmosphere in which people can feel comfortable with the game no matter what level they are at," declared Quarmby, herself a 20-handicap player.

"We have established that reputation and that has helped to encourage more women to come along and take up membership. And I have written to every new member to attend each Thursday when we have reserved tee times."

A series of inter-club events have been held with friendly matches against teams from neighbouring clubs such as Easingwold, Aldwark Manor and Heworth, plus further afield at Romanby, near Catterick.

The lady captain said there was always a danger of succumbing to the feeling of being intimidated when entering a new golf club. But she insisted any such feelings had been dispelled at Forest of Galtres.

"We have made studious efforts to make sure they do not feel intimidated in any way," she added. "We aim to enable women to improve their game in the right environment."

But while fostering a desire for friendliness, the club also strove to provide a keen competitive streak.

To that end a greater number of competitions have been introduced, including more mixed events alongside the club's players. Quarmby added that there will be even more tournaments next year, the ladies' section's efforts backed by the men's committee and the club's proprietors.

She explained: "We encourage players to get their cards completed, signed and handed in, to get their handicaps down, to enter the club's competitions. All those things give you an incentive to try to improve your game.

"The club's ladies' section is on the up and up and it's firmly on the ladies' golfing map in York.

"We have had more players entering York Union events this year and there will be more competing next year.

"It's all helping towards our reputation for being a friendly, yet competitive ladies' section."

Malton and Norton GC hold pole position after three events in the Flamborough and District Golf Alliance.

The third fixture was held at Driffield GC, where local knowledge proved invaluable in the team event. Blessed by settled weather, the event produced a flurry of excellent scoring headed by Driffield, who ran out winners with a 17-under-par total of 193.

Chris Ellis and Frank Hardy from the home club, returned the best card of the day with a nett 62. They were ably supported by P Hammond and David Brumfield who came in with a 64, which also gave them third place for the best individual card. Driffield's third scoring card came from O Fenwick and Phil Woodcock with a nett 67.

Malton and Norton finished second on the day with 195, a tally good enough to lift them into top spot in the overall table. Last year's winners Scarborough South Cliff finished third and slipped back one place in the league to second.

Flamborough Head's Colin Norton and Tony Kerr returned an excellent nett 63 to take the second prize in the individual competition, while Brian Dunning and Tony Creaser from Malton and Norton took fourth place on a count-back after posting 65.

There is now an ominous gap opening up at the top of the table with the leading three clubs drawing away from the rest of the field.

The nine-member clubs have a break from league action when they compete for the 2003 Amanda Clare Trophy at Kirkbymoorside GC next Wednesday.

Flamborough Alliance placings (after three events): 1 Malton and Norton 599, 2 Scarborough South Cliff 603, 3 Driffield 604, 4 Kirkbymoorside 616, 5 Scarborough North Cliff 618, 6 Flamborough Head 619, 7 Filey 620, 8 Whitby 626, 9 Bridlington 631.

YORK Union of Golf Clubs' winter charmer - the Cross Trophy - reached the half-way stage and its 2003 break with its fiercest bout of scoring.

The first three place scores in the Cross Trophy number six event at Pike Hills were under 60. First with a score of 58 was The York duo of John Clark and Kevin Pearson, the lowest score recorded this year. In second on 59 were Morris Everton and Stuart Gregory (Fulford) on count-back from the Malton and Norton pairing of Tom Sefton and Dennis Leng.

With scores of 60 it took count-back to determine the honours in the number five tournament at The Oaks GC.

Pike Hills' pairing of Adrian Lount and James Hudson were deemed the winners in front of home club duo Paul Hand and Andy Welford. Third place went to Dave Dunmore, the ex-York City star, and Gary Rollinson, the Heworth twosome scoring 62.

It's Heworth who top the team rankings with a 1,163 total to lead Malton and Norton by five points ahead of the six remaining matches to be played in the New Year.

Cross Trophy placings (after six competitions): 1 Heworth 1,163, 2 Malton and Norton 1,168, 3 Forest of Galtres 1,180, 4 The York 1,186, 5 Easingwold 1,189, 6 Forest Park 1,191, 7 Pike Hills 1,193, 8 Kirkbymoorside 1,197, 9 Fulford 1,198, 10 The Oaks 1,206, 11 Scarthingwell 1,212, 12 Aldwark Manor 410 (Aldwark have only featured in two events).

Updated: 10:15 Saturday, November 01, 2003