Swing changes do the trick for Andy

GOLF:

ANDY Allen regrouped after a “shocking” first nine holes to clinch victory in the Oldham and District Championship on home soil.

The 36-year-old denied playing partner Jack Bottomley-Clift to make it a one-two for the Crompton and Royton club.

Allen carded two rounds of 71 to take the title for the first time.

A member at Crompton and Royton since 2006, he said: “My first nine holes were shocking — I couldn’t find my swing. But I made a couple of alterations and came back in two under par.

“My game was solid after the first nine and I had 17 pars and one bogey in the second round.”

Allen has seen his handicap cut from 4.4 to 2.4 after a string of positive results, which included a fourth-place finish in a Northern Order of Merit event at Penwortham.

Allen is now setting his sights on this weekend’s prestigious Royton Sword competition.

As well as individual success, Allen helped Crompton and Royton to land District Championship team honours alongside Bottomley-Clift, Michael Shaw and Gary Hartley.

It was the third time he had lifted the Brierley Cup.




LYNN Kershaw scored 37 Stableford points to win the Lady’s President’s Competition at Oldham.



Jill Nolan was second with 36, while the sweep went to Jane Antrobus and Edythe Turner with 34.




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