Plan for golf league to grow

THE Oldham and District Golf League is looking to expand to a 12-club two division format for the 2010 season.

Currently eight clubs play in the league at both ‘A’ and ‘B’ team levels and two former member clubs — Fairfield and Crompton and Royton — are now seeking to get back into the fold.

The current member clubs feel it would not be possible to merely expand the league to ten clubs playing home and away as fixturing problems prevent the season starting earlier than mid-April or running into late August due to loss of light in the evenings.

However, they are keen to see new clubs join and have proposed that there is an active recruitment drive to see if any other clubs in the area would consider joining the league to enable two divisions of six at both ‘A’ and ‘B’ team level with play-offs, promotion and relegation.

“This could be an exciting expansion for the league but we need the support of other clubs if it is to happen,” said chairman John Walsh.

Interested clubs need to call Fixtures Secretary David Whaley (077 646 38309) before August 31 and applications will be considered at the league’s September meeting in time to put any proposed restructuring in place for the following season.

Clubs currently in the league are: Ashton, Brookdale, Denton, Dukinfield, Oldham, Saddleworth, Stamford and Werneth.

DEREK Conway pipped grandson Lee for top spot and victory in Crompton and Royton’s Winter League.

Derek amassed 46 points in the Order of Merit which was two clear of runner-up Lee while Peter Boggiano and David Whitworth were equal third with 30 points.

The final Winter League event was a team medal which was won by Derek and Lee Conway, Peter Boggiano and David Whitworth with 146.

Losing out on the card for top spot were Simon Moores, Alan Bottomley, Jack Bottomley-Clift and Tony Morton. In third place on 150 were Jordan and Mike Flint, Chris Clark and George Shepherd.

OLDHAM captain’s drive in, a four man team Stableford, was won by Sam Gilbey, John Wheaton, Mike Allen and Colin Kost with 107.

Runners-up were Gary Lee, Dave Taylor, Clive Newton and Paul Butler (102) on the card from Alan Squires, Eric Charles, Steve Rae and Dave Bruce.

Winners of a four-ball betterball medal were Brian Weems and Harold McGuinness (58) from second-placed John Wheaton and John Glover (59). Third were Dave Ganley and Steve Ogden (60).

STAMFORD’S all-fives three-man Stableford, a 15-hole event, produced a win for Nigel Brooks, Phil Lord and Steve Dooley who scored 65 points.

SADDLEWORTH women’s three-ball goulash Stableford saw Jean Dervan, Julie Ward and Sheila Cooper emerge the victors with 84 points, four clear of runners-up Anita Scholes, Pam Taylor and Julie Johnson.