PRESIDENTIAL rule operated again in York Union Of Golf Clubs' Sharp Trophy.

Just like last season the YUGC's first event of the campaign was won by a pair from the reigning president's club.

Easingwold Golf Club duo Denis Sanderson (27 handicap) and Chris Bullen (22) lifted the Sharp Trophy after a score of 68 at Heworth GC.

The next three places had to be decided on count-back over the last nine holes after all posted scores of 69 for the round.

Second place therefore went to the host club pairing of Neil Fox (19) and Kevin Goodrick (27) with Forest Park GC duo Steve Atkinson (22) and David Knight (also 22) in third. Fourth place was taken by Pike Hills GC's John Dodgson (24) and Gary Dunn (20).

New to the YUGC format were Aldwark Manor GC, who have been admitted as the Union's 13th member.

Fulford GC's president's putter competition was won by Tom Buckle.

He had a gross two-over-par 74 off his handicap of 11 to finish two shots ahead of junior member Charlie Parry, with former Cheshire county junior Peter Cole in third place.

The best round of the day came from ex-York champion Kevin Miller, who plays off two. He had a gross one-under 71 for fourth place. He had birdie twos at the third, fifth and 14th holes.

One-time undefeated European, British and Commonwealth super-middleweight boxing champion, Henry Wharton is in a good seam of form

After sharing the honours in a fourball better ball stableford Wharton finished second in the annual Social Cup winter competition, played over eight rounds and with the best four to count. His tally of 172 points was three behind champion Martin Pickles.

AFTER the party antics of the new respective men's, women's and junior captains' drive-ins for Tony Smith, Christine Hunter and Tom Rastall Kilnwick Percy GC's Texas Scramble got underway.

First place went to Mick, Mark and Jason Addinall, together with Ian Williams with a nett 55. Second on 57 were Neil Atkinson, Gareth Pudsey, Rob Kettlestring and a guest with third place going on count-back to Tom and David Laurie, Len Sellers and Eric Sologub.

The club's match-play team of Norman Turton, Peter Williamson, Ray Powell, Geoff Brigham, Chris Gunby and Matthew Burrows were second to Bridlington Belvedere in the Humber Alliance match-play final.

FOREST of Galtres GC's new captains' drive-in by John Place and Ronnie Davison was followed by the traditional Texas Scramble.

Winners were Sam Enwright, Shaun Pagdin, Darren Price and Nick Tutill, who, with an allowance of 7.1, grossed 63 for a nett 55.9. Five birdies allied to a 9.4 allowance (nett 58.6) gave Brian Garnett, Stuart Newton, David Upson and John McDonagh second place ahead of Keith Bottomley, Tony Robinson, Bob Bailey and Dave Fotheringham, whose 7.1 netted 60.1.

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

It is the sixth year Flamborough have staged the betterball stableford tournament open to men's, ladies' and mixed pairs, which this summer, will be played on August 2, starting at 10am.

The first prize is a three day/two night golf break for two, including bed, breakfast, dinner and three days golf donated by Hunley Hall GC.

Other prizes include framed golf gloves, autographed by one-time Masters' champions Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam, for the straightest drive and nearest the pin contests.

Entry is £25 per pair and more details can be obtained from Ian Rogers tel 0113 2436970 or 07889 227601, or by e-mailing ian@amken.co.uk

THE new captain at Fulford GC is Mike Dale with Allenby McIntosh the new president and George Ringwood treasurer.

The women's April medal and Spring Crummack event was won by Pat Radford with a three-under-71 on count-back from Marie Tatt.

Meanwhile Fulford's Jamie Miller came through the PGA Europro Tour School pre-qualifier with rounds of 72 (level par) and 76 at The Wynyard course at Middlesbrough. He plays in the four-round final qualifying event at Saunton in Devon next week.

MALTON and Norton GC's Chris Horsley, a nine handicapper, holed in one at the club's 128-yard second hole. He used a nine-iron in the friendly two-ball for his third ace since he started playing the game as a junior 14 years ago.

Updated: 11:29 Saturday, April 13, 2002