Alex is a belter as record falls

Alex Belt - new course record at Werneth.

Golf

Bridlington Links pro fires 61 at Werneth

WERNETH’S hugely successful centenary week finished in style when the professional course record was smashed during the closing 156-field Pro-Am.

Bridlington Links’ pro Alex Belt fired a seven-under-par 61 to break the 63 set by Steve Holden 20 years ago.

He hit eight birdies including five in a row from the eighth, came back in only 28 shots and dropped his only shot of the day at the short sixth.

“I really enjoyed the course and the greens were immaculate,” said the 23-year-old.

Belt’s 61 eclipsed long-time leader Paul Carman (Huddersfield) who was later joined in second spot on 63 by Neil Cheetham (Dore and Totley).

In the team event there was success for father and son John and Jack Suttie playing with former Werneth club champion Nick Fallows, now at North Manchester, and Marsden pro James Crompton with a 19-under 117.

Second were Team Shaw (-18 cpo), third the Oldham Chronicle (-18), fourth the PFA (-17 cpo) and fifth Harmony Blinds (-17).

The other centenary week results were:

Centenary medal — First Division: 1. Adam Rowbotham (66-3-63); 2. Andy Barlow (74-8-66 cpo); 3. Nigel Wareing (72-6-66).

Second Division: 1. Ken Clarke (73-12-61); 2. Terry Walsh (72-10-62 cpo); 3. Dave Griffiths (72-10-62).

Third Division: 1. John Mundy (83-22-61); 2. Eric Webb (82-20-62); 3. Les Jones 87-23-64).

Ladies Division: 1. Fiona Dooley (nett 68); 2. Brenda Martin (69); 3. Lisa Hall (70).

Juniors Division: 1. Gareth Hey (73-6-67); 2. Tom Scott (88-19-69).

Single Stableford: 1. Phil Walker (46pts); 2. Adam Rowbotham (44pts).

Four-person Team Stableford: 1. Tony Doidge, Brian Howarth, Mick Nield and Mike Dyson (93pts cpo); 2. Steve McNamara, Pete Barrington, Tony McNamara and Duncan Hough; 3. Shaun Rattigan, Graham Holt, Ian Radcliffe and Rick Marroney.

Junior Open — Best gross: 1. Josh Johns (Pike Fold) 68; 2. Jack Suttie (Werneth) 69; 3. Ethan Shaw (Marsden) 71.

Best nett: Nick O’Connor (Lobden) 72-13-59; 2. Callum Gunning (Chorlton cum Hardy) 86-25-61; 3. Liam Marshall (Crompton and Royton) 83-21-62.

Under 15’s: James Higgins (Pike Fold) 78-16-62cpo.

Girls — Gross: Francesca Bougen (Glossop) 80. Nett Chynna Hobson (Ashton) 73.


GARETH HEY fired a hole in one at the par-three third hole in a monthly medal round.

It was the second time the 17-year-old had achieved the feat at Werneth - and he has only been playing 12 months! The other one was an out-of-competition ace at the par-three 16th.