Persistent Jeff achieves his major ambition

CUP OF JOY . . . Jeff Howarth (centre) receives his trophy from Saddleworth captain Nigel Cooper (left) and president Tad Knebel.

GOLF: IT was a long time in coming, but it was worth the wait.

Jeff Howarth, a member at Saddleworth for eight years, won his first major when he clinched the two-round Committee Cup.

The 62-year-old recorded nett scores of 70 and 67 for a 137 total and one-shot victory over Nick Sunderland (71 and 67). Iain Cash (74 and 65) was third best.

“This is one for the old wrinkles,” said Howarth, who was previously a member of Springfield Park, Rochdale, for two decades.

“I was the lowest handicaper in the group who were tying for the lead after the first round, so it was a case of closing it out.

“Having been close to winning a major on a couple of occasions before, it’s nice to finally fulfil an ambition.”

Eight-handicapper Howarth, who is the husband of Saddleworth lady captain, Lillian, beat off opposition including his 18-year-old grandson, Jamie Heywood, who finished in the top 10.

Marcus Ray was the second-round winner after shooting 70-5-65 — but it was a close call.

Ray won on a card play-off from Cash, who fired 77-12-65, while S Goodwin took third place after posting 79-13-66.

Meanwhile, Saddleworth are through to the last eight of the Archie Preston — a mixed team event — after a 4-3 win over Withington.

Victorious for Saddleworth were Bill Green and Anita Scholes, who were four down after 10 holes, John Knight and Ann Fitton, Dave Pullen and Kay Orme and Jamie Heywood and Sue Knebel.



WERNETH

EVERGREEN 84-year-old Eric Smith beat his age by four shots in the monthly medal when an 80-20-60 earned him the runner-up spot in the second division behind youngster Tom Scott’s marvellous 73-16-57.

And it was a family affair in the first division with son Lee Rowbotham (64-2-62) edging out dad Paul (63-1-62) on a card play-off.

Other results:

Veterans’ Trophy

1, John Martin 79-17-62 CPO; 2, Alan Milligan 78-16-62.

Subsidiary medal

1, Phil Fogarty 84-26-58; 2, Neil Pickering 81-18-63.

SADDLEWORTH

Singles Stableford

1, Charles Walker 42 points; 2, Gary Chadderton 40; 3, Dave B Taylor 39 CPO.



OLDHAM

Four-ball better-ball Stableford

1, Geoff Beard/Ronnie Cavanagh 45 points; 2, Lee Blainet, Steve Mills 44; 3, Rick Fallon, Paul Butler 43.

Open four-ball better-ball Stableford

1, Phil Dockerty (Oldham), Bill Wright (Houghwood) 45 points CPO; 2, Pete Barrington, Steve Daubney (Oldham) 45; 3, Dave Beech (Oldham), George Bray (Crompton and Royton) 44.



BLACKLEY

President’s Prize Round 1

1, Andy Benton 69 CPO.; 2, Steve Cromwell 69 CPO; 3, Alan Lane 69 CPO; 4, Richard Larkin 69.

Midweek medal

1, Mark Gill 64; 2, Callum Cornielle 67; 3, Mark Radcliffe 68 CPO.

New Blackley Cup

1, John Riley, Steve Murray 47 points; 2, Andy O’Neill, Tom Rabbett 44; 3, Callum Cornielle, Matthew Williams 43.

Vice-Captain’s Cup Round 1

1, Lawrence O’Toole 78-15-63; 2, John Parr 85-20-65; 3, Peter Lane 75-10-65.