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Rochdale celebrate double win

Ian Ogden
22/ 7/2005

Golf

THERE was success at the double for the Rochdale club in the finals of two prestigious North West Manchester Assocation matchplay events on Wednesday night.

The club's junior captain Scott Baxter took the Secretary's Challenge by beating Matthew Struminskyj of Prestwich 3 and 2, then Steve Lord took the President's Scratch Trophy by going round in level par for a 3 and 2 triumph over Robert Barlow (Prestwich).

An eagle at the last in the second round, then a final round 72 helped Manchester's Rachel Connor finish 14th in a field of 120 in the English Ladies Close amateur strokeplay event at St Annes Old Links.

A countback was needed to separate the first three in Rochdale lady captain's third round qualifier.

Pam Ford got the nod over Anne Kearns and Sue McNiff after the three of them returned 67s.

A play-off next Saturday will decide this year's winner of Rochdale's Irlam Cup after Bill MacLaren and Mark Cunningham came in with very impressive 64s.

Alan Blomley captured the club's Veterans' Cup with a splendid 65.

Jim Camp came top of the pile in the captain's fifth qualifier at Manchester's Hopwood course. The 10-handicapper shot a 64 to pip David Copping and Colin Ralph who had 65s in Division Three.

It was low scoring in Springfield's lady captain's day. Victory, after a card play-off, went to Vivien Bleakley who shot a 61 alongside Irene Lockley. Janet Whittaker took third spot three strokes further back.

The par threes on the back nine were the undoing of Martin Pearce's card at Springfield Park last Saturday.

In his best ever round he had six birdies, but he dropped seven shots on the threes, for a 61, and tied for third place.

Further proof that Lobden veteran Roy Jefcoate is returning to something like his old 'steady Eddie' form after major hip surgery came in the sixth captain's qualifier when he pipped Gordon Leach on a card play-off. Both carded 65s, with three-handicapper Craig Hardman two shots further back.

David Ball edged a stableford competition at Whittaker, pipping Paul Fox by one point.