Malton are Cross kings

In round 10, home course advantage was taken by four of the Malton pairings finishing in the top 11 places.

The best score of the day, however, came from Russ Chilton (5 handicap) and Darren Meek (8), of Pike Hills, who recorded a nett 60 which included no fewer than eight gross birdies.

Their nearest challengers were Dave Edwards (9) and Mike Turner (14), of Forest park, who gained second place on a second half countback which probably included the shot of the day when Turner holed out for two, nett one, at the 353-yard par four 16th.

At Forest Park, in Cross 9, the local pairing of Andy Garland (12) and David Page (14) were successful with a score of 62, which included nine nett birdies and one nett eagle.

The final team aggregate scores were: 2,096 Malton and Norton, 2,121 Fulford and Pike Hills, 2,140 Kirkbymoorside, 2,142 Heworth, 2,148 Forest Park, 2,153 York, 2,187 The Oaks.

JAMIE Miller made a successful start to his new career as a professional when he qualified for the final stages of the Master Card Tour qualifying competition this week.

Competing in the 36-hole pre-qualifier at Wynyard Hall near Middlesbrough, Miller, the 25-year-old York amateur champion and Fulford GC's member had rounds of 72 and 73 to finish two shots in front of the qualifying limit of 147.

"The playing conditions were pretty tough with a strong cold wind and some rain. There were 43 spots from the 110 players competing so I knew I had to be near to par if I was to get through.

"I made par (72) on the first day and was going well to be two under par on the 15th tee in my second round. I then drove into the water at par four 15th to finish with a five and I did the same at the next to have a seven on a par five hole. But I managed to finish only one over par with a 73, so I was happy enough," said Miller.

Nick Ludwell (Selby) also qualified for the final stages with rounds of 71 and 70, three under par.

The four round final qualifying competition is at Hawkstone Park from April 14 - 17 and the successful players there are awarded places on the Master Card Tour.

TOM Alford and Gerry Townend, members of Selby GC, won the East Riding Alliance President's Salver competition at Fulford.

Alford, playing off six and Townend (9) had a seven under par 65 to take the honours from pairs from Filey, Ganstead Park and Hornsea.

Best placed local pairings were Simon Appletree, assistant professional at The York GC and Stuart Rank (6) and Easingwold professional John Hughes and Richard Young (12) who had 68s.

Ganstead Park won the team event, based on the lowest aggregate of three returns from each club, with Filey second and Bridlington third.

MARK Houlden and David Crosby (Pannal) won the last Harrogate and District Alliance event of the season. They had a 63, the same total as Tony Richardson and Les Mitchell (Oakdale) and won on countback.

Knaresborough finished nine strokes ahead of Harrogate to win the Knaresborough trophy team event, awarded to the club with the best return from three teams over seven events throughout the season.

Knaresborough totalled 1,396, Harrogate 1,405, Oakdale 1,411, Ilkley 1,417, Thirsk and Northallerton 1,420, Ripon City 1,423, Otley 1,424, Pannal 1,426 and Bedale 1,437.

FORMER York police chief Barry Campbell (Fulford), who plays off a 13, holed in one with a seven iron at the 10th on his home course - the fourth time he has had an ace.

Barrie Simpson, a 20 Handicap member of Malton and Norton GC, has holed in one at the club's 153-yard, par three, 10th hole using a five iron. Playing in a friendly Sunday morning four-ball, it was his first ace since taking up golf about 16 years ago.

RUDDING Park will provide an ideal setting for a drive to encourage more people to the sport of golf.

As part of the Professional Golfers' Association National Golf Week from April 11-19, Rudding Park is to welcome newcomers to the game from the age of five to 75 with free lessons.

The programme will be aimed at beginners, ladies, juniors businessmen and retired couples and will feature free lessons on both the driving range and academy.

The top-notch course in acres of parkland at Harrogate has previously played host to a crop of PGA-run initiatives.

Last year it was one of only seven regional centres - and the most successful - during Golf Week when more than 350 golfers took advantage of free tuition.

Besides the tests and twists of the 6,871-yard Martin Hawtree-designed course, Rudding Park also offers a driving range with 18 indoor and six outdoor bays and two academy holes. Now approaching its third birthday the course has already scooped a series of top accolades.

Would-be golfers wishing to take expert advice or book a free lesson should contact professional Simon Hotham tel 01423 873400.

KILNWICK Percy GC finished a creditable third in the Humber Alliance matchplay final held at Ganstead over 36 holes.

Meanwhile, Barry Brigham opened the club's medal season with a nett 64 win from Philip Curtis (65) and Kevin King (66), the latter two each earning an immediate cut in handicap.

In the 'All-winners" event from last year Paul Walker netted 65 off 19 to beat last year's victor, Neil Stephenson (68), who was second on countback from Rob Bradley.

The midweek stableford went to Roy Walker (34 points) ahead of Mike Neale second with (33) on countback from Terry Wood.

NEW club captain at Knaresborough is Geoff Plummer. He takes over from John McVicar, who won six major club competitions in his year in office despite a shoulder injury.

The new vice-captain is Geoff Kelly, the club's finance chairman. John Lund was re-elected president.

Knaresborough member Pat Eve recorded her first hole-in-one, achieving her ace on the 14th.

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