BIRCHWOOD tournament professional Phil Archer will play in next week’s US Open at Torrey Pines, California, after qualifying at Walton Heath.

The 36-year-old European Tour player tied 48th in his one previous appearance in the event at Winged Foot, New York, in 2006.

Shaw Hill’s Nick Dougherty, seventh last year Oakmont where he led after the first round and played with Tiger Woods in the third, is already guaranteed his place.

LANCASHIRE held on to pole position in the Northern Counties League when they beat Cheshire by a point at St Annes Old Links despite missing eight key players.

"I was proud of the lads," enthused skipper Bill Bromilow. "We had three new caps and they did not let the side down."

The Red Rose side halved the foursomes before taking five of the top six singles, Shaw Hill's Sean Nicholls ending Cheshire's late revival by beating Leasowe's David Hird three and two.

Earlier, Sam Stuart gained a crucial half when he won the last hole against Stockport stalwart David Peel then swept to victory in the Penwortham Rose Bowl 24 hours later.

And it was perfect timing for the 20-year-old England A Squad member as he heads to Scotland later in the week to compete in the St Andrews Links Trophy.

"I've made a slow start to the season so to get a first win under my belt is all the incentive I need," he said.

CONSTRUCTION is due to start on a state-of-the-art pay-and-play course on a former Leigh mining site.

The 18-hole, 6,300 yard project for Wigan Council includes a driving range and pitch-and-putt facility and features extensive outdoor activities, park and wildlife areas.

The emphasis is on ecology and sustainability, reducing the project carbon footprint to a targeted zero, and with at least 20 per cent of materials used to be recycled.

DOUBLE Cheshire Girls' champion Cheshire's Laura Jones, 18, has rounded off her first year at Oklahoma University by helping the golf team win the National Intercollegiate title for the fourth year in a row.

Meanwhile, Bramhall's Jade Evans won the county mid-season medal with an 80 at Bidston where Marple's Jade Evans claimed the nett prize with 71.

RAIN ended Lancashire LGA's annual match against Oxbridge Men prematurely at Stand after they had won the foursomes 3-1.

ELLESMERE captains Ian Michaels and Christine Long won the South East Lancs Mixed Greensome medal at Swinton Park.