Hamerton’s Open qualifying bid

LOCAL golfer Grant Hamerton was today teeing off his bid for a return to the big time.

The 36-year-old assistant professional from Brookdale, who also runs the professional’s shop at Pike Fold, was attempting to qualify for the Open Championship.

And Hamerton, who was taking part in the regional qualifier at Mere, could not have wished for a better preparation for the biggest week of his year.

Hamerton, who spent two years on the European Tour, shot a six-under-par 67 at Swinton Park to win the qualifier for the National Assistants Championship.

In his time on the European Tour, Hamerton’s top finish was seventh in the Scottish Open in 2000 when he beat the likes of Sam Torrance and Paul Lawrie.

He is also a former winner of the Challenge Tour’s Luxembourg Open.

Hamerton is not the only local player in action at Mere where Oldham professional James Rowlands, former Oldham paid man Mike Hollingworth, Stamford pro Mark Smith and Marland’s Danny Youd are also in the field.

In the qualifier at Alwoodley, in Yorkshire, are former Oldham amateur Marcus Armitage and Chadderton Fold’s Martyn Hamer.

Hamer has twice won through to the final qualifier as he aims to emulate his father Steve who once competed in the Open, but as an amateur.