Former Leeds Open winner Ricky Masters earned a chance to challenge holder Gordon J Brand and other top European Senior Tour men in the £250,000 De Vere Collection PGA Seniors championship which started at Slaley Hall today, writes John Drake.
Masters earned his opportunity when he won through this week's pre-qualifying event at the North East venue.
There is a connection between the two – Ilkley-based Brand played his amateur golf at Baildon where Masters is the club professional.
M
asters shot 73, two over par, to share the third qualifying place while Brough club pro' Gordon Townhill qualified on 76.
Brand's start to the season has not been pot-breaking – just one top 10 finish, sixth in the Irish Seniors – and 32nd place in the order of merit with 32,217 euros against Ian Woosnam's 101,484 euros.
But Brand, who finishing second in the money list last season, said: "I suppose I've got a certain amount of confidence going into the championship because Slaley Hall suits me.
"It's a big course and you need to be fairly accurate and, although I'm not the longest hitter, I can hit longer irons pretty straight."
Results round-up
Leeds Scratch League: Div 2 – Moor Allerton 4, South Leeds 2. Div 4 – Roundhay 4, City of Wakefield 2.
Placings: Div 1: 24pts – Selby; 23 – Moortown; 19 – Pontefract; 18 – Wakefield; 17 – Howley Hall; 13 – Wike Ridge; 12 – Normanton. Div 2: 23 – Cookridge Hall; 22 – Moor Allerton; 20 – Garforth; 19 – Scarcroft; 18 – South Leeds; 9 – Horsforth. Div 3: 27 – Low Laithes; 19 – Barnsley; 18 – Temple Newsam; 16 – Mid Yorkshire; 14 – Leeds; 13 – Headingley. Div 4: 24 – Woolley Park; 22 – Wetherby; 13 – Gotts Park; 11 – Roundhay; 9 – City of Wakefeld; 5 – Middleton Park.
Leeds Net League: Div B – Moor Allerton 4, Low Laithes 2.
Leeds Junior League: Div 1 – Barnsley 2, Temple Newsam 4; Howley Hall 6, Cookridge Hall 0; Low Laithes 4, Headingley 2. Div 2 – Garforth 4, Roundhay 2; Wakefield 2, Wetherby 4; Pontefract 3, Wike Ridge 3. Div 3 – Normanton 2, Horsforth 4; Scarcroft 4, Lofthouse Hill 2; Waterton Park 4, Moortown 2. Div 4 – Leeds 6, City of Wakefield 0; Sand Moor 2, Mid Yorkshire 4; Moor Allerton 2, Gotts Park 4.
Harrogate Union Scratch League placings: 42pts – Oakdale; 37 – Rudding Park; 34 – Ripon City; 32 – Ilkley; 31 – Harrogate, Knaresborough; 25 – Pannal; 24 – Bedale; Masham; 19 – Romanby; 16 – Thirsk & Northallerton; 13 – Otley.
Ends
