Fylde coast golf round-up: New Lancashire Senior champion crowned at Blackpool North Shore

Tony Flanagan capped his return from major surgery by being crowned Lancashire Seniors county golf champion for the first time at Blackpool North Shore.
Captains and winners at Fairhaven charity dayCaptains and winners at Fairhaven charity day
Captains and winners at Fairhaven charity day

The Clitheroe golfer’s entrance into the over-55 ranks had been delayed by a back problem which required an operation and intensive physiotherapy.

But the 58 year-old’s determined rehabilitation programme paid off in style with a three-shot victory.

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Flanagan paved the way for his victory with an opening round of 70, one under par, which was matched by Karl Bowker of Bolton Old Links.

And he held off the chasing pack with a second day 74 to leave last year’s winner, Trevor Foster from Accrington Golf Club, in second place.

Playing his first full season in the senior ranks, Flanagan said: “ I was a bit choked. I have received so much support from people.

“This was a championship I always felt I could win but that doesn’t mean it was going to happen. So I am delighted to have come out on top of a high quality field.”

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Tony will now head north for the Scottish Seniors and is also hoping to play his part in Lancashire’s bid to become national champions again.

The group category winners included Fairhaven’s own Clive Appleby.

Fairhaven Golf Club raised more than £14,000 for Trinity Hospice-Brian House at its Community Charity Golf Day.

In glorious weather, 28 teams competed for prizes kindly donated by business sponsors and members.

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Fairhaven captains Hellen Miller and Colin Jakeman presented the winning team prize to a strong Lytham Window Company team and many other individual prizes.

The day was rounded off by a presentation dinner MC’ed by ex- footballer Steve Kindon who auctioned off a fabulous golf day at Muirfield Golf Club hosted by former Muirfield and R&A captain Alistair Low.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney regaled the audience with his Old Trafford experiences, while Michelle Lonican from Brian House expressed her gratitude and gave a very moving insight into the support that they provide for children.

The weather was unkind to Lady Captain Jen Booth and the ladies of Knott End Golf Club.

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Storm Hector forced the first round of the Lady Captain’s Competition to be cancelled.

Undaunted the ladies set out to play the second round on Saturday, though it poured with rain.

By early afternoon some of the greens were under water but those made of sterner stuff were determined to complete their round.

The lady captain praised their fortitude at the presentation dinner in the clubhouse.

The winner of The Lady Captain’s Prize was Kath Wright with a great score of 86-13=73. Runner up-was Kath Coleman with 93-18=75 and third was Joanne Kay with 88-12=76 .

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