Akers breaks singles duck

GOLF: CHRIS Akers and Michael Grainger were the star turns on a double major day at Stamford.

Members played 36 holes with combined gross scores counting for the scratch championship and Morris Medal, and net returns providing the winner of the vice-president’s competition.

The latter was won by first-time singles winner Akers, who has been a club member for 14 years.

He shot two net 66s, which bettered the 66 and 67 of runner-up Alan Booth.

Grainger, who was crowned club champion for the fifth time, shot gross rounds of 75 and 72 for 147.

But rising star Josh Ainscough (72 and 76 for 148) pushed him all the way.

Stuart Fletcher, defending both major titles, was third with 73 and 77 for 150.

Meanwhile, the club captain’s competition, played over two days, was won by John Wallworth, who is in his first year at Stamford. Wallworth’s return of 70 and 66 for 136 was just enough to overcome the challenge, on countback, of runner-up Ainscough (66 and 70 for 136)..


IN the Veterans Trophy at Crompton and Royton, Brian Smithies claimed top honours thanks to a round of 79–11-68.

Chris King (83–13-70) was the runner-up on a card play-off, from Steve Mills (86–16-70).

Scott O’Leary (69–3-66) won the Subsidiary Medal, while Orlando Wild defeated Mark Pickering 5 and 4 to claim the Highfield Cup.

The mixed knock-out prize went to Gary McHugh and Zoe Styles, who overcame Tony Costello and Joyce Adams (one up). And in the Junior Challenge Trophy, Carina-May Teirney also a notched a one up margin of victory against Jack Morrow.


DELIGHTED trio Sheila Antrobus, Jane Antrobus and Lynn Kershaw, from host club Oldham, won the Joan Hirst Charity Cup in style.

They blew away the opposition in the three-ball team event, notching a terrific 75 points on the Lees New Road course.

Second were Julie Connolly (Oldham) and Linda Newman and Jean Dervan (Saddleworth) with 67 points.

Winners of the nine-hole Subsidiary competition were Joan Swindells, Sheila Whittingham and Lillian Bevan, of Werneth.

The Oldham Ladies Golf Association raised £500 for Victim Support, Greater Manchester, the chosen charity of Oldham lady captain Julia Wild.