Penning ends long major wait

GOLF: ALAN Penning claimed his first major in 30 years of trying as he came out on top of the pile in the captain’s combined medal at Stamford.

Penning produced a pair of very steady rounds to card 69-68-137 (handicap 16), finishing ahead of Stephen N Thither in second (68-69-137, 12) and third-placed Michael Grainger (67-70-137, 3).

Penning was also deemed the best-dressed recipient of a Stamford major this season.

“It was a great turn-out from our members, who help make the whole event as great as it is,” said Stamford captain David Allen.

“The course was in superb condition and this showed through the scores produced.”

The Saturday winner in the men’s section was David Halliday, who went round in 82-16-66, while the following day Alex Martin was triumphant with 82-17-65.

Overall for the major, the top five places were decided on a card play-off.

The ladies’ section winner was Jo Akers, while in the junior section Saturday’s best score was recorded by Archie Palmer, with Taylor Yates doing likewise on the Sunday.

The overall junior winner was Matt Broderick with scores of 89-19-70 on Saturday and 91-19-72 on the Sunday for a weekend total of 142.

LOUISA Brunt belied her years when she finished runnner-up in the England Golf North Region Girls’ Close Championships.
The tournament, played at Haydock Park, featured the best under-18s from across six northern counties over 36 holes.

Ashton member Louisa (14) opened up with a five-over-par score and posted an impressive level par in the afternoon.

She said: “It was a great experience. I learnt a lot from competing with the older players and, being only 14, I can come back and play in the event.”

The teenager has achieved great success this season. She was crowned the Lancashire Girls under-15s champion and helped the county’s women’s senior ‘B’ team to victory over North Wales.

Louisa won her foursomes match on the 18th and her singles 5&4 after leading out the team.