Lever switches into top gear

THE winning team in the Crompton and Royton Pro-Am have every reason to smile. Flanked by organiser Val Hall (left) and Crompton and Royton lady-captain Chris Rimmer (right), the victorious quartet was, from left to right: Jane Antrobus (Oldham), Kay Orme (Saddleworth), Karl Tighe (assistant professional at Rochdale) and Bev Scholes (Oldham). The leading professional in the competition was Nick Sarjent from Eastham Lodge.

AFTER waiting three decades to be crowned captain’s final champion at Brookdale, Gary Lever has now claimed top honours twice in the space of three years.

The six-handicapper won the club’s most prestigious competition thanks to a level-par total of 136.

Lever shot 71-6-65 in the opening round, before following up with 77-6-71.

Second in the field of 48 was Tom Conley, who had scores of 86-15-71 and 83-15-68 for 139.

Third place went to Gary McHugh, who carded 82-10-72 and 79-10-69 for 141.

The best gross over 36 holes was Peter Buckley’s excellent effort of 145 (67-78), while the best nett scores in rounds one and two were registered by Chris Gleave (68) and Mike Gray (73) respectively.

The captain’s prize for the women’s section was won by lady-captain Margaret Coleman with a nett 64.

SADDLEWORTH

JEFF Howarth lifted the J W Holt Trophy thanks to a superb round of 76-11-65.

Nick Corrigan (85-18-67) was second, ahead of Chris Cunniffe (88-20-68).

Last Saturday’s professional’s invitation competition, cancelled because of torrential rain, will now be played this Saturday.

CROMPTON and ROYTON

YOUNG Scott O’Leary won the Hall Cup, a major at Crompton and Royton.

A student at Leeds Carnegie, he registered a round of 75-7-68 to hold off the challenge of Tony Morton, who fired 84-15-69.

Third place went to Alan Whetham with 87-17-70.

Brian Smithies was the comfortable winner of division one in the midweek medal.

He carded 76-9-67 to finish three shots ahead of Andrew Simpson (74-4-70).

Division two honours went to Alan Hopkinson Jnr (76-11-65), from M Whelan (81-13-68).

Dougie Kenyon claimed victory in division three after returning 85-16-69 for 18 holes. John Truelove (87-16-71) was the runner-up.

WERNETH

MARK Henshaw was the clear-cut winner of a singles Stableford competition.

He registered 47 points, thanks to a gross 75 which would have brought him a nett 57 in a medal, and reduced his handicap from 18 to 13.

Peter Griffin was runner-up five shots back.

The second qualifier for the Fairway Cup — the top 18 went through — was won by Kevin Hicken, who posted 85-25-60.

Lee Appleby (77-13-64) held off Ian Hartley, Brian Taylor and secretary John Barlow to claim second spot on a card play-off.

STAMFORD

THE Wood Bowl, a major, was abandoned after rain left greens flooded.