Late call pays off as Kris takes title

HAT-TRICK . . . Kris Sutcliffe shows off the Oldham and District Championship trophy

A LATE change of heart saw Kris Sutcliffe line up in this year's District Championship ­- and by the end of the day he had carried off the title for a third time!

Other commitments meant the 44-year-old was all set to withdraw, but a bit of gentle persuasion from host club Saddleworth on the morning of the competition led to an 11th hour rethink.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Leading home a Crompton and Royton one-two, Sutcliffe posted a one-over par 72 and three-over 74 for a two-round gross total of 146. Runner-up Mike Shaw recorded 151.

HONOURS

Sutcliffe, who previously lifted District honours in 2002 and 2008, said: "I didn't have time for much of a warm-up, but I ended up with a birdie on the first.

"I thought I was in with a chance after a 71 in the morning as conditions were pretty tough because of the weather.

"The staff on the course did a great job on the greens with the squeegees. They kept us on.

"I was two-over par for my round in the afternoon coming down the 18th, which I managed to bogey again. Fortunately, it didn't matter."

Sutcliffe has been a regular winner on the local circuit and on Sunday will try to win the Royton Sword for a second occasion.

A member at Crompton and Royton for more than three decades, the scratch player holds the amateur record at the High Barn Street course ­- a sparkling 63 ­- while he has claimed the Club Championship half-a-dozen times.

Saddleworth's Simon Fancy had the best nett score of 146, on a card play-off from club-mate Jamie Heywood.

Saddleworth won the Brierley Cup team event.