Heywood on a high after play-off drama

Photo: Tim Bradley

PRIZE TIME . . . Chronicle managing editor David Whaley (left), runner-up Dave Kendrick, winner Mark Heywood and Oldham Golf Club captain Stephen Daubney.

MARK Heywood saved the best for last when he birdied the final hole in a six-hole play-off to win the men's Chronicle Cup at home club Oldham.

Like the women's event four days earlier the men's needed extra holes to decide a winner after Mark's clubmate Dave Kendrick matched the six-under par nett 60.

Heywood (off 15) and Kendrick (17) then went back on the course and the latter held the advantage all the way to the last hole.

Heywood managed to stay in touch with a fighting bogey five at the fourth. He had to take a penalty drop after an errant tee shot and after leaving his fourth at the top of the green made a 15-foot sliding putt to stay in the game.

He was still trailing on the last hole, the 18th, but fired his drive to within 20 yards of the green.

And when Kendrick missed the green and then failed to get his chip close Heywood canned his seven-foot birdie putt to take the title by just a third of a shot.

Heywood, a 36-year-old bricklayer who has been playing at Oldham for three years, had won the club's Chronicle Cup qualifier a few weeks earlier, but to go on to take the £150 top prize was totally unexpected.

"I came with the thought of just getting my handicap down. I did that (it's now 14), but I spent all day thinking someone would come in with a 59!"

GUITARIST

Kendrick, guitarist in local tribute band 'Where's Ringo' had to dash back to the club for the play-off as he was preparing for a gig in Romiley.

"I was just disappointed not to find the green with my second shot to the last which opened the door for Mark, but fair play to him for making the birdie to win it."

Crompton and Royton players picked up three of the minor prizes. Alan McMunn won the first division with a 74-13-61 return while Gary Holmes (77-14-63) and Ron Frizzelle (86-22-64) took the honours in Division Two.

Home player Paul Dunbar (74-12-62) was the runner-up in Division One while Brookdale stalwart Mark Riley took the best gross prize with a one-over par 67.

David Whaley, managing editor of the Oldham Chronicle and secretary of the Oldham and District Golf Society, which organises the district events, said: "Oldham put on a good event and the members and staff deserve much credit for all their efforts."

The next district event - which covers the five local clubs Brookdale, Crompton and Royton, Oldham, Saddleworth and Werneth - is the 36-hole District Championship which takes place at Crompton and Royton on Saturday, July 1.

Entries are being taken at clubs now and this is the one district event that is opened up to low handicappers at other clubs competing in the Oldham and District Golf League.

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