A RECORD field of junior players from across the region turned out for the annual Joanne Morley Challenge at Sale Golf Club.

More than 40 under-16 golfers, nearly half of them with single figure handicaps, competed for the prizes, which were provided by main sponsor and Sale member Gill James and companies Trolley Dolly, Kelloggs and the Golf Foundation.

The trophy’s namesake Morley was unable to attend because she was playing in China but Morley will compete in a challenge match with the champion, top boy and top girl at Sale later in the year.

Local star David Horsey, whose first major junior competition was this event in 2000, was present and took time to talk to the young golfers.

Fresh from winning the European Challenge Tour in his first season as a professional, Horsey is now preparing to take part in the full European Tour, which begins in Shanghai.

The early pace was set by Disley Junior Captain James McCormick, playing off a four handicap, who scored 40 points.

He was only knocked off the top of the leader-board on a count-back by Northenden’s Tom Press.

The 15-handicapper had a magnificent haul of 24 points on the last nine holes, including two birdies and four pars over the last six holes to win the Joanne Morley Challenge Trophy to take back to Northenden for the first time.

Other leading boys were Joe Lawton (Ashton-under-Lyne) and Tom Rowlands (Vicars Cross) both 38 points.

On 37 were the Trafford trio of Jack Barber, Sam Garnett and Haydn McCullen along with Sale’s Juwhan Han.

It was also close in the girls’ section with Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross) coming out on top with 30 points, one clear of Gemma Clews (Ashton-on-Mersey).

TO get your club and individual results and events in this report contact Geoff Garnett on 0161 881 7550 or email ggggarnett@aol.com

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