Scott benefits from top tips

Rachel Connor (centre), the England amateur international, gives Ben Crompton and other youngsters some golfing tips on Junior Performance Day - an introductory coaching session - at Manchester Hopwood Golf Club.

LOCAL golf professional Scott Connor is back from America where he has been studying the techniques of three top coaches.

The 21-year-old from Royton has spent time with Butch Harman, who used to coach Tiger Woods, Bob Toski and Chuck Cook.

Connor covered thousands of miles taking in Florida, Nevada and Texas on his fact-finding mission which also took in a visit to the Ping factory in Arizona.

He said: “I wrote to the three coaches and asked if I could go along and watch them at work, and they agreed.

“Obviously Butch Harman is the best known through his work with Tiger Woods.

“I spent several days with him and he is very charismatic - a coach who concentrates on building up confidence.

“It was quite an adventure and I learned a lot from all three of them.”



MARK SMITH, professional at Stamford, finished a creditable sixth in the Glenmuir PGA North Region overseas pro-am at Vale Do Lobo, Portugal.

Smith returned rounds of 73, 72, 77 and 69 for a 72-hole return of 291.

It was seven shots behind winner Paul Eales, the former European Tour professional, and one stroke adrift of former Ryder Cup player Steve Richardson who finished in a tie for fourth place.


MARTIN BEATY, assistant professional at Crompton and Royton, failed in his bid to qualify for the Johnny Walker Classic on his return to Australia.

In his qualifier, Beaty (28) shot 76 which was 10 shots behind winner Jarrod Moseley who claimed one of the four spots available.

“I was very disappointed because I had a number of great finishes in tournaments leading up to this event,” said Beaty.

But he says it was great to compete at the top level again and it has inspired him for this summer’s events on the North Region tour.




WERNETH made an early exit from the Mail on Sunday national golf club classic when they lost 3-2 in the first round at neighbours Ashton.

Winners for Werneth were Nigel Wareing, with a 15-foot putt on the final green, and Paul Rowbotham (4 and 3).




CROMPTON AND ROYTON’S Texas scramble, the latest Winter League event, was won by Peter Boggiano, David Whitworth, Derek and Lee Conway with a score of 48.
Runners-up were Stuart Thompson, Alan Watson, Glynn Parry and Brian Stafford (48.6) from Kris Sutcliffe, Jason Webster, Alistair Cameron and Mark Robinson (49).

Runaway leaders of the order of merit, with four weeks still to play, are grandfather and grandson Derek and Lee Conway with 34 points.


THE Captain’s Farewell at STAMFORD, a 12-hole singles Stableford, was won by Jim Smith with 31 points.