He will remain as a member at Cobble Hall and subject to the PGA North Region continuing to stage the Leeds Cup at the club, he will maintain his input into the organisation of the oldest tournament in professional golf.

The 60-year-old, who served 30 years with Leeds police, mainly as a detective officer, was instrumental in the Leeds Cup returning to its original home after it had gone the rounds throughout the north.

Back in the 18th century, a Lord Mayor of Leeds and a prominent Leeds club member donated the valuable silver trophy which was first won by Open champion legend Harry Vardon, then based at Ganton.

The Leeds Cup will be contested by the north's top men, starting on August 18 with a pro-am getting the action under way the previous day.

"There are plenty of vacancies for teams in the pro-am and those interested can contact me at the club," said Clarkson, who during his tenure as secretary was heavily involved in the club's centenary celebrations.

"It's been an enjoyable time but all things have to end and I'm looking forward to a break and even playing a bit more golf," added Clarkson, whose son Neil is a teaching professional at a course in Cheshire.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire PGA tournament director Jimmy Pape, the retired Roundhay professional, was back in competive action today.

Pape, who now teaches at Garforth Golf Range, makes a rare playing appearance alongside Gary Hutchinson, the former Filey professional now based at South Cliffe, in the North Region qualifier for the SkyCaddie PGA Fourball championship at Woodsome Hall.

More than 40 Yorkshire pairs battled for places in the final of an event to be held at Fulford on October 1-3.

A fancied pairing was that of PGA Cup internationals Paul Carman, from Huddersfield, and Simon Edwards, from North Wales, while host club man John Eyre teamed with assistant David Astin in a field with a strong Lancashire influence.

Among the Red Rose men was Northern Order of Merit champion David Shacklady, who lost out on a place in the Open this week when he missed out following a play-off at West Lancs.

Elsewhere, Moor Allerton will be favoured for a place in the Yorkshire team championship at Middlesbrough on August 20 when they go in the Division Two event at their home course on Wednesday, July 30.

They qualified with a one-stroke victory ahead of Phoenix in the Division Three test at Hallowes where Cleveland, Malton & Norton, Horsforth and Cleckheaton were also promoted.

Johnny Lawrence led the way for Moor Allerton with rounds of 72 and 75 and he was backed up by J Walker (75, 75), D Taylor (83, 75) and A Webster (67, 74).

John Pearson shot 74, 68 to make sure Horsforth moved up, backing coming from J Ryan (78, 75), S Vine (73, 78) and M Thorpe (79, 78).