Golf: Host club stars aiming for title

Jul 8 2009 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A DOZEN local professionals are in a record field to contest the Yorkshire PGA championship at Willow Valley over two days from today.

The recent form of Chris Hanson (Crosland Heath and David Astin (Woodsome Hall) suggests they can be a force though a band of host club men, notably Lee Shepherd aim to make local knowledge count.

Past champions Adrian Ambler (Walton) and Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorkshire), who teamed as joint winners of the PGA National Fourball qualifier at Woodsome Hall, are also major contenders for the title held by John King (Lindrick).

Local players chasing a title won by Ryder Cup men are: Jamie Coverley, Tom Wild (both Bradley Park), J Harworth, D Rands, A Cranston, P Young (all Willow Valley), R Booth and C Foster (both Bradley Hall), D Arber (West End).

Local born Dan Greenwood, the professional at Forest Pines, near Scunthorpe, shot three under par 70 at Barassie, Ayrshire, in the first round of the Open Championship final qualifying.

Meanwhile, last year’s European No1 Robert Karlsson will miss next week’s Open Championship because of his left eye problem.

The 39-year-old Ryder Cup star, joint seventh at Royal Birkdale last summer, has not played since the European Open at the end of May.