Saddleworth scratch king Adam is in seventh heaven

Saddleworth golfer Adam Rowbotham retained the Oldham District Scratch Championship trophy with a resounding seven-shot victory at a windy Crompton and Royton.

Rowbotham recorded scores of 70 and 71 for a one-over par total of 141 to give him a third win in the most prestigious competition in local golf.

The 32-year-old, who first won the trophy back in 2013, is now level with brother Lee with a trio of titles.

And that means only four men stand ahead of the talented +2-handicapper - Les Lawton (4), Mark Riley (7), Alan Squires (13) and Harry Swailes (14) - all local golf legends in the 101-year history of the competition.

Rowbotham had held a two-shot lead going into the second round which for the first time was played on Saturday and Sunday, with the leaders going out last on day-two rather than 36-holes in the day.

In round one, he recovered from a poor start where he was three-over after six holes to find four birdies before bogeying the last for a level par 70.

The chasers had to force the pace in round two, but when Rowbotham birdied the 8th and 9th holes he was keeping the challengers at bay and the tough conditions made the back-nine tough and a one-over 71 was the best round of the day by five shots.

Home player Alfie Yearsley finished second (72+76=148).

As expected, C&R won the Brierley Cup - which is presented to the club with best four scores - with Yearsley joined by Liam Marshall, Gary Melling and Ben Gledhill.

The other prize-winners were: 36-hole best nett: Steve Bland (Brookdale) 77+68=145; best gross round 1: Liam Marshall (C&R) 72; best gross round 2: Ben Gledhill (C&R) 76; best nett round 1: Johnny Phillips (Oldham) 70; best nett round 2: Michael Shaw (C&R) 74.

The Centenary Trophy, another district ‘major’ played as an 18-hole nett competition and run alongside the scratch championship, was won by C&R’s Scott Bloor.

Bloor, the current club champion at the High Barn Road club, shot a brilliant 70-2-68 in the tough conditions of Saturday.

That total would have matched Rowbotham’s scratch score, but Bloor was not able to enter that competition because he was committed to a family birthday party on the Sunday.

Nevertheless, the centenary win represents the biggest win yet for Bloor, who turned to golf in 2017 after many successful years in amateur cricket.

Bloor made an impressive five birdies including chipping in for a two at the par-3 16th.

His 68 was enough for a one-shot victory over fellow C&R man Liam Lovell (77-8=69).

Other prizes presented were: best gross: Lee Rowbotham (Saddleworth) 72; best gross runner-up: Jack Morrow (C&R) 72; First Division: 1. Johnny Phillips (Oldham) 78-8=70; 2. Liam Marshall (C&R) 72-2-70; 3. Wayne Adamson (Oldham) 81-10-72. Second Division: 1. Ron Bowden (Werneth) 85-10=70; 2. Stuart Hopkinson (C&R) 85-15-70; 3. Sam Clancy (C&R) 87-16-71.

* C&R’s Mark Booth had a hole-in-one with a fine perfect 4-iron struck at the 203-yard par-3 14th hole.

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