EFFORTS to bag a major tournament at Fulford Golf Club are facing a pressing battle against time.

The club has championed a campaign to host a new tournament on the lucrative European Seniors' Tour programme next year.

Talks are still ongoing between potential sponsors with both club and Tour officials resolved to restore top-class tournament golf to Fulford after an absence of more than 11 years.

But while strenuous efforts are being made the clock is counting down. A final decision on whether the club will get to stage a big-name event is expected to be made in around six weeks' time.

European Seniors' Tour managing director Andy Stubbs told the Evening Press: "We definitely want to do this if we can.

"It is the strong wish of ourselves and the club to get it finalised. The desire is there. The club have been very receptive and we are now in the process of trying to tie things together."

Stubbs added that the biggest hurdle to the club staging an event on the 2003 calendar was that they have not got an individual sponsor in place. As yet no one major name has come forward to take on the cost of backing the event.

"In an ideal world we would have one company in to do it," said Stubbs, himself a former professional player.

"But as we are now, we are looking at a series of companies to do it."

Due back at Fulford for more talks early in October with both the club and potential backers, he added: "We have several people interested but it takes time to bring the strands together.

"We are hoping to close things out and we are not going to leave any stone unturned.

"We should know by the end of October either positively or negatively."

The prospect of bringing back top-flight golf to Fulford for the first time since the Murphy's Open, which ran in 1990-91 as the short-term successor to the coveted - and successful - Benson and Hedges Trophy between 1971-1989, was first revealed by the Evening Press last February.

Fulford's interest has been represented by Jonathan Plaxton, the former England international and current Fulford GC board member.

Said Plaxton: "We are doing all that we can to get the Seniors' Tour here."

Over the past five years the European Seniors' Tour has grown in stature and sponsorship and has attracted star names such as former playing stars and ex-Ryder Cup captains Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher.

Any businesses interested in backing an event, which would attract major television and media coverage, can contact Stubbs via Fulford GC tel York 413579.

A MARK of distinction was etched in Easingwold GC's main event of the year by junior prospect Mark Christie.

He had rounds of 76 and 74 for a 150 total that earned him the President's Putter for the best gross score and with it the title of club champion.

He took the crown two shots ahead of David Tompkins (76 76).

The winner of the event's Pearson Bowl for the best net score went to Stuart Bell (68 65), whose 133 was two better than that of his nearest challenger Mark Rice (69 66).

Success at the double was sealed by husband and wife team Gerald and Judy Clark, who won the club's Marvin Trophy.

They took the mixed greensome knockout competition for the second time after beating brother and sister combination Tim and Nicola Summersgill by one hole in the final.

The J M W Dobson Trophy for handicaps 19-29 was won by David Embleton, who pipped David Bennett in the final.

G Cole, meanwhile, won the club's Wombwell Cup medal competition with a net 68 on count-back from Michael Pickering. Third place went to John Enos on 69.

Selby and Knaresborough will both have double representation in the £20,000 Manchester Open which starts at the De Vere Mottram Hall complex on Monday.

The 54-hole tournament - the biggest in the Professional Golfers' Association north region - has attracted a 144-strong field including Selby duo Nick Ludwell and Marcus Maith, plus Knaresborough pairing Gary Vickers and Andrew Turner.

Other local interest is provided by Paul Johnson (Harrogate), Dave Padgett (Pannal), James Drinkall (Malton and Norton), Chris Smith (Bridlington Links) and Gary Brown (Ganton). Former Heworth professional Neil Cheetham, who now plays out of Barlborough Links, is also in the field.

TEENAGER William Gowthorpe amassed a triple slam after a cracking round of 75 earned him the Kilnwick Percy junior championship trophy.

The 13-year-old also won the nearest the pin prize on the 15th, and together with Steven Kendra and Jamie Nesfield collected the team prize.

However, Gowthorpe had to play second best to Pike Hills' Jonathan McNutt, who won the Daily Telegraph/Kellogg's Nutri-Grain junior championship qualifier.

Toby Gowthorpe won the September medal with a net 66, as well as taking the lowest gross of 74, ahead of Neil Atkinson and Alan Howson.

MARGARET Hind captured the Forest Park GC Lady Captain's Cup on count-back after her total of 41 stableford points was matched by Carmen Batty. Third place went to Doris Yorke, who totalled 40 points.

Pike quartet bag catch of the day

PIKE Hills GC scaled unparalleled heights in the York Union of Golf Clubs' Team Championship held at Aldwark Manor.

In a virtual clean sweep of silverware, the Pike Hills quartet of Adrian Lount (rounds of 74 and 77), Robert Hambleton (78 76), Martin Brown (77 72) and skipper Russ Chilton (71 68) totalled 593 to win the team title by 23 shots ahead of Malton and Norton and York.

In leading by example, captain Chilton also captured the Issott Trophy thanks to his two-round aggregate of 139, his afternoon round of 68 breaking the recently-established amateur course record at Aldwark.

And just for good measure the Pike Hills plunderers were also presented with the division one scratch league trophy.

It was a day of delight mixed with a tinge of sadness for skipper Chilton. He said: "It was unbelievable, one of those days when everything went in for me. It was even better that it was such a great day for the club.

"My only regret was that my dad Tom could not see it. He died in July. He was my best mate, more than just my dad, and I have dedicated my course record to him."

Updated: 11:35 Saturday, September 21, 2002