CHRIS HANSON won through the North Region qualifier for the Powerade PGA Assistants’ Championship at Penwortham, Preston, on one under par 68, two off the pace set by Bolton’s James Barr, who owns his own golf academy.
A clutch of birdies on the back nine steered Hanson home, beating the cut off mark by a couple of shots.
He now moves on to the 54-hole final of the championship to be staged at East Sussex National on July 28-30 where the first prize is £5,000.
Whitley Trophy, Dewsbury. Leading scores: 133 - R Broadley (Huddersfield) 66 67. 138 - A Shaw (Huddersfield) 68 70. 146 - T Sykes (The London Club) 75 71, T Garrett (Crosland Heath) 75 71. 150 - M Hepworth (Dewsbury) 71 79, A Appleyard (Bradley Hall) 78 72.
Wayne Arnold, a retired 62-year-old from Huddersfield, will be aiming at a luxury trip to the Bahamas and the final of Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-Am Championship when he competes in the regional final at Fulford, York, on June 23.
He won the qualifying round at his club Cleckheaton to earn his trip to York where he will partner his club professional Warren Lockett, who also lives in Huddersfield.
Arnold, a 16 handicapper who has been playing golf for 20 years, carded a net 66 to win his club event.
The national title is held by Yorkshire pro Darren Lend, from Far Grange, and this year he will be partnered in the regional final by Richard Brown.
