Old Links Trophy Won with Borrowed Clubs

The prestigious Old Links Trophy, sponsored by Hobin of Bury, Seat Main Dealership, was won by Liam Ball from Chorley GC with a borrowed set of clubs that he didn’t have time to practise with.

The 18 year old one handicapper won in testing conditions over the Old Links Course with rounds of 71 and 75. Liam was resigned to pulling out of the Northern Order of Merit event when his clubs were stolen from his car parked in the driveway of his Westhoughton home a few days earlier. A club mate came to the rescue lending Liam his irons.

On a cold, wet and windy day Liam nearly let it slip when, after sharing the half-way lead, he made a potentially disastrous start to his afternoon round with a double bogey at the second hole, where he lost his drive, and dropped another shot at the short fourth. But he regained his composure and the initiative to win by three shots from Old Links player David Jones. CSS for both rounds was 74 against the SSS of 71 - showing how tough it was to get a good score.

Scores:

• 146 - Liam Ball (Chorley) 71 - 75
• 149 - David Jones (Bolton Old Links) 78 - 71;
• 151 - John Scholes (Bolton Old Links) 76 - 75;
• 151 - Henry Tomlinson (Preston) 71 - 80;
• 152 - Oliver Smith (Ashton-on-Mersey) 80 - 72;
• 152 - Steve Bryan (Bolton Old Links) 73 - 79.

To see the whole result look here or download/view a pdf file of the result

The event is one of the last of the season counting towards the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.
Further details about the Northern Order of Merit are available at www.mitsushiba.com.

Old Links win Archie Preston Trophy

Bolton Old Links mixed team, led by Captain Kevin Shannon and Lady Captain Jean Guffogg, won the Manchester Golf Alliance Archie Preston Trophy at Blackley Golf Club on Sunday September 28.

Over 100 clubs originally entered the foursomes knockout competition and Old Links 4-3 win over Ashton-under-Lyne went to the wire with Sue Harrison and David Tasker winning their match at the first extra hole.

Following their victory and a brief celebration the whole team dashed over to Turton Golf Club to support the Old Links’ Men’s Team in their win over Deane GC in the final of the Bolton Championship.

Club Championship 2008

The Club Championship Final was fought out between Matt Taylor and Rick Powter. These guys are the best of friends and fought a thrilling and skilful final that was decided by the last putt on the 18th with Rick just pipping Matt.
Two finer ambassadors of Old Links you could not find and I look forward to seeing you both in major finals in years to come.
Congratulations to Rick on becoming Club Champion for the first time.

Senior Club Championship 2008

The Senior Club Championship Final was held in very poor weather; commiserations go out to Allan Schofield who retired injured and congratulations to John Killoran, our Senior Club Champion, on winning the Morton Trophy.

Old Links members David Jones and Simon Whittaker won the inaugural event in the Bolton Golf Association 2008 golf calendar. The BGA 4BBB Medal was held at Harwood Golf Club on the 19th April.

The presentation was made by the President of the BGA (Roy Swift) – standing on the right - and the Captain of Harwood GC (David Barrington).