Magic Melling's glee at hat-trick of District titles

Crompton & Royton Golf Club host Golf District Championship - Brierley Cup winners Crompton & Royton team (l-r) presenting cup Crompton & Royton Golf Club Vice Captain David Harris, Gary Melling, Martin Barnes, Mike Shaw (missing team member Kris Sutcliffe) and presenting Crompton & Royton Captain Andrew Williamson

GARY Melling joined an illustrious band of local golfers after claiming a third District title - but quickly had to turn his attention to a different shaped ball.

Twenty-four hours after accepting the trophy, the Saddleworth School PE teacher was touch judge in the rugby league Championship game between Dewsbury Rams and Rochdale Hornets.

Melling was still on a high, though, after recording a four-shot success at Crompton and Royton, where he is a member.

It ended a wait of two decades to complete a hat-trick of District crowns and came 27 years after his first when he was a fresh-faced teenager.

Victory over club-mate Mike Shaw sealed three ambitions in one for likeable Melling.

Not only did he join the likes Alan Squires, Les Lawton, Harry Swailes, Kris Sutcliffe, playing partner on the day Lee Rowbotham and Mark Riley in lifting the coveted piece of silverware on three or more occasions, but he shot below 140 for the time in a two-round elite competition and saw his handicap cut to scratch.

Melling was neck-and-neck with Mike Shaw after the morning 18 holes - both fired 70s - but thought he had blown his big chance when he bogeyed six, seven and eight in the afternoon.

He got it together with a run of birdies at the turn which eventually led to a 68, while his nearest rivals fell away.

Victory capped five years of hard graft for Melling ­- son of David, Crompton and Royton's professional for 38 years until his retirement in 2010.

He explained: "After the District Championship in 2012 my game was at rock bottom, so I decided to do something about it.

"Then when Daniel, my son, started playing it gave me a new focus. He's only 10, but doing well and I expect to see him playing in the District back here (Crompton and Royton) in five years!"

Melling and his Crompton and Royton colleagues ­- Shaw, Kris Sutcliffe and Martin Barnes ­- bagged the team prize, the Brierley Cup.

District Championship results ­-

1, Gary Melling (Crompton and Royton) 70+68=138; 2, Mike Shaw (Crompton and Royton) 70+72=142.

Best nett: 1, Ben Gledhill (Crompton and Royton, nine handicap) 62+69=131; 2, Alistair Cameron (Crompton and Royton, 5) 67+72=139.

Brierley Cup (team): Crompton and Royton - Gary Melling (138), Mike Shaw (142), Kris Sutcliffe (146), Martin Barnes (147).

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