HANDING out expert help on the finer points of golf has seen a York professional besieged by eager youngsters.

Mark Winterburn's evening lessons at Forest Park Golf Club have become so popular he's had to close his books to new starters.

Winterburn, who has been the pro' at the Stockton-on-the-Forest course since February, has been holding sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to help juniors pick up vital tips.

He uses Forest Park's upgraded driving range to coach more than 30 youngsters - and he's having trouble fitting any more in.

But would-be Tiger's should not fear as Winterburn revealed he plans to start a new series of lessons in the summer when his current groups finish.

"I was surprised at how successful it has been," he said. "I thought the programme would take some building up, but it has just taken off.

"Our eight-bay, covered driving range has recently been completed and it is the perfect place for this. I really enjoy teaching the kids and I think they are having fun too."

The number of younger members at Forest Park has almost doubled since Winterburn took on the job as professional. More than 650 members currently enjoy the facilities at the 27-hole complex.

And youngsters who are taking advantage of the professional's skills only pay £1.50 a time thanks to funding from the English Golf Union.

Said Winterburn: "Every four weeks during the teaching we have a junior medal, after three weeks of training. We have been catering for kids of all abilities. Some of those who have come along have been complete beginners.

"We are finding it really hard to fit any more youngsters in at the moment. But we are hoping to start some new courses early in the summer holidays."

For more information about tuition, contact Winterburn on 01904 400425.

NORTH Yorkshire will boast an eight-strong contingent in the first of 13 area finals for the inaugural Health Perception Championship of Great Britain and Ireland for women amateurs at Catterick GC on Monday.

They will be among a field of 90 players striving for a place in the grand final at the prestigious Wentworth club in Surrey on September 25. In its first year the event has attracted entries from more than 1,000 clubs with close on 20,000 players competing so far for a chance at the title.

The eight are Iona Buckle, 12 handicap (Kilnwick Percy GC); Judith Fishburn, 20 (Malton and Norton); Patricia McMeekin, 22 (Heworth); Sue Meeke 22 (Knaresborough); Audrey Craven, 18 (Harrogate); Sheila Wilkinson, 30 (Whitby); Julie Walker, 19 (The Oaks); and Anne Reaston, 33 (Fulford).

Former Olympic Games gold medal-winning swimmer and owner of Health Perception David Wilkie will present the prizes to the area winter at Catterick on Monday when the specially-commissioned Grand Final trophy will be on display.

Janie Beardsall, who is based in Ripon, has made the bronze trophy. Among her previous sporting commissions was the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Award, which has in the past been presented to both the Queen and the late Queen Mother.

A £54,000 contract to renew a 900-square metre roof at Oakdale GC, Harrogate, has been commissioned by building consultants and chartered surveyors Lightly & Lightly.

The roof, to be completed in August, is part of a five-year upgrade by the club, which has 1,000 members and has been based in Oakdale since 1914.

The club started the improvements after Lightly & Lightly, also of Harrogate, did an in-depth condition survey and recommended a programme of maintenance work.

COUNT-BACK determined that Jason Whitehead pipped Sam Enwright to victory in the Forest of Galtres GC captain competition after both players posted nett 64 scores. The same system also settled the Veteran's Salver for John Corby ahead of Mike Stead and Peter Lynch after all notched 38 points.

MALTON and Norton's Simon Dyson had a disastrous 80 yesterday to follow a 77 and failed to qualify for the third round of the Diageo Championship at Gleneagles, missing the cut by four shots. Neil Cheetham the former Heworth pro, was well up with the leaders on 144.

IT was Wayne's whirl at Forest Park captain's day. Wayne Pendall shot a nett 66 to beat John Barnes (67) and cut his handicap to four.

FULFORD'S Sue Garland won the Macmillan Spoon with 44 stableford points off her handicap of 35.

Updated: 11:13 Saturday, June 21, 2003