Long wait is over for stalwart Les

ALL YOURS . . . winner Les Dooley (second right) receives the Chronicle Cup from managing editor Dave Whaley. Also pictured is runner-up Dave Pullen (left) and Werneth captain John Mellors

LES Dooley finally managed to land a district golf title after the Werneth stalwart won the Chronicle Cup at his home course.

The 59-year-old, who has won 33 major titles including 13 club championships in his 35 years at the Garden Suburb course, used all his experience in windy conditions to win by four shots.

BIRDIES
His level-par gross 68 contained three birdies at 4, 8 and 16 and three bogeys at 6, 9 and 11.

"I knew the conditions would make it tough but there had not been much wind earlier in the day and though I am normally quite a good judge of what a winning score is going to be, I had not got a clue and just kept going," said Dooley.

"I am thrilled to win this. All our family are keen readers of the Chronicle and we have books and books of cuttings," said Dooley, who completed a family double as his wife Fiona is a former winner of the women's version of the competition.

Dooley said the win more than makes up for twice finishing runner-up in the District Championship scratch event.

For much of the day a play-off looked on the cards as former Saddleworth captain Dave Pullen and Werneth's Chris Cordwell were tied on nett 64.

"It was a long wait in the clubhouse but we knew that one of the real dangers was the experienced Les Dooley in the last three-ball and so it proved," said Pullen, who had to settle for runner-up while Cordwell had the compensation of claiming the best gross prize for his 68.

In making the presentation to Dooley, Chronicle managing editor David Whaley urged the local clubs to maintain the tradition of the Chronicle Cup as a prestigious trophy to win in years to come as the five Oldham-based clubs supply qualifiers.

EXPANDED

The next of the district association events, the District Championship 36-hole scratch competition - due to be played at Saddleworth on Saturday, July 1 - is to be expanded to include the 14 clubs involved in the Oldham Golf League in a bid to encourage a larger field.

RESULT ­-

1, L Dooley (Werneth) 68-8-60; 2, D Pullen (Saddleworth) 70-6-64. Best gross: C Cordwell (Werneth) 68. First Division: 1, C Boyle (Brookdale) 76-11-65; 2, D Ashford (Werneth) 78-13-65. Second Division: 1, J Loughlin (Brookdale) 85-18-67; 2, G Allen (Brookdale) 87-20-67.