Double Crossfire

The Cross Trophy will conclude with its final two events - numbers 11 and 12 at Fulford GC and York GC respectively - on Sunday, March 30 when the final battle for honours will be at its keenest for many years.

Fulford are in the lead on 1,982 points, just a solitary point ahead of nearest challengers Heworth. But with three scores to count at each event should either of the front two slip up then Malton and Norton (2,000) and Forest of Galtres (2,009) will surge into the final reckoning.

Extra spice has been added with the draw placing Fulford out last in the field so that the result will not be known until the very end of the winter-long competition.

Events numbers nine and ten were completed in perfect conditions at the host clubs of Forest of Galtres and Easingwold clubs.

The number nine dream at Forest of Galtres was captured by the Malton and Norton duo of Lee Bellion (12 handicap) and Malcolm Dunning (13) with a total of 62, one shot clear of second-placed Paul Robson and Roy Macadoo (Easingwold) and Greg Tucker and David Shanks (Heworth) third, also with 63. The latter duo were one of three Heworth pairings in the top ten at the woodland course.

Over at Easingwold it was ten and in for former knockout king Henry Wharton and Andy Martin as overall YUGC leaders Fulford completed a clean sweep.

Proving a winning combination, Wharton and Martin landed the Cross number ten event with a 64 ahead of club-mates Ken Hessay and David Miller (65) and Iain Simpson and John Wake (66).

FOUR of north Yorkshire's clubs are to host events in the biggest schedule for years organised by the Professional Golfers' Association (North Region).

The first of the quartet to provide northern comfort is York GC at Strensall, which will stage the Glenmuir Club professional qualifier (east) on Wednesday, May 7.

Knaresborough GC is the venue for the De Vere Hotels PGA north regional qualifier (east) on Monday, July 14, followed by Catterick entertaining the MEN Manchester Open qualifier (east) on Wednesday, August 6.

Finally, Aldwark Manor's sylvan setting will welcome the Dataform Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday, September 10.

There will be a new venture among the programme with the PGA confirming that for the first time the Assistants' Order of Merit will now be for trainees only. In a major incentive sponsors Mgolf will award a full playing contract to the winner.

Meanwhile, the Northern Counties region of the English Golf Union has confirmed that Filey GC will host the Northern Seniors championship on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8-9.

There will also be two EGU Northern Counties League fixtures in the area - Yorkshire v Cheshire at Fulford on Saturday, May 10 and Yorkshire v Cumbria at Selby on Saturday, July 12.

A BIG fillip for pre-teen tee-offs has been attracted to Kilnwick Percy GC.

The club will host one of the first northern qualifiers for the PGA 'Wee Wonders' programme on May 29, which will be assisted by Phil Beard from the Golf Foundation.

Competitors range from the ages of five to 12 in an event especially formulated for small golfers.

No handicaps are required and each player receives 36 shots, placing a flag where their final shot comes to rest.

Entry forms are available from www.wee-wonders.co.uk or by contacting the Kilnwick club on 01759 303090.

Meanwhile, key competition dates have been confirmed in the Kilnwick Percy competitive calendar.

They include a new Sunday Am-Am on June 22 open to men's, women's and mixed teams; the Seniors Open on September 12, and the Ladies Open on July 10 and August 6.

A WHITEWASH of Driffield was posted by Fulford GC who reached the third round of the Mail on Sunday Club Classic women's competition with a 4-0 win thanks to victories from Dot Elliott, June Hutt, Liz Jones and Ann Robinson.

Meanwhile, the club's ladies' section opened with 4-4 draw in the annual game between the captain's (Angela Quickfall) and the secretary's (Carol Richardson) teams.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, March 22, 2003