Bedale; Lacelles qualifier: Played in a divisions medal format to identify the 32 players who will go head-to-head in this matchplay competition.

Played in excellent weather with a standard scratch of 74, the best gross score on the day was 77 returned by Kevin Ward, Bedale's, scratch golfer.

Divisional winners - Division One: 169 Neil Brown (6), 70 Mark Goodyear (9), 71 Simon Griffiths (5). Division Two: 71 Neville Taylor (20), 72 Michael Greenwood (15), 73 Darren Brown (16). Division Three: 72 Mark Leigh-Howarth (23), 75 Neil Exelby (22).

Newcastle and Sunderland: Two teams played for a trophy presented by Wilf Whitnall in this annual match is played for by supporters of the respective teams. Teams of eight players usually compete but this year the supporters of Newcastle were down to seven as unfortunately one team member had be taken to hospital and had failed to notify his captain! So adjustments had to be made with the scores to cover this problem. It was a similar result to their footballing seniors in the Premiership with Newcastle winning by 337 points to 124. Next year it is hoped that team numbers will be increased to 12-a-side.

Dales Alliance: A great improvement by the Bedale team was evident in the penultimate match played at the Thirsk & Northallerton club when Bedale finished second to the home club with an excellent 43 points by Ian Ratcliffe & Craig Harrison. They were followed by 42 points Martin Fuller & Ian Morris; 39 Ian Smith & Mike Mayman also Steven Whitwam & Kevin Ward; 37 Bill Barclay & Ian Morris. Whilst second place did not alter Bedale's overall position fifth position the gap between Bedale and the three Cams immediately above was only four points so hopefully the last match of the spring season at Richmond will continue this improvement.

Ladies Mail on Sunday: The ladies winter success over the winter has continued in the spring season with the team of Sue Mayman, Gillian Petrie, Julia Doughty and Mavis Button winning through to the fourth round of the competition. This followed success away at Oakdale prior to which the they had triumphed in a home fixture against Easingwold. The first fixture of the Ladies A Team this season was against Roundhay and Captain Liz Stubbs led her team to victory. With a strong team it is hoped that success will continue.

Dales Alliance Spring 2003: The penultimate round was played at Thirsk & Northallerton and resulted in victory for the home team although by only two points from fellow strugglers Bedale. The overall leaders Crook were only able claim fifth spot.

Scores on the day: 202 points Thirsk & Northallerton, 200 Bedale, 197 Blackwell Grange, 193 Richmond, 192 Crook, 193 Catterick Garrison. Prizewinnwers: 45 points C West & S Kerr (Thirsk & Northallerton), 43 I Ratcliffe & C Harrison (Bedale) also M Atkinson & A Clinton (Richmond), 42 N Fuller & I Morris (Bedale). Overall, although Crook are still in the lead in spite of the result the next four teams are separated by only four points: 955 Crook, 918 Blackwell Grange and Catterick Garrison, 916 Richmond, 914 Bedale, 891 Thirsk Northallerton.

Harrogate and District Union

The 2003 President of the Harrogate Union is Bedale golf club member, thoroughbred Yorkshireman and retired police inspector John Shaw.

John joined Malton and Norton golf club in 1964 and when the club was extended from nine to 18 holes was involved in the construction of the club house for which he was granted after he left the area. On moving to Northallerton, John joined Bedale golf club and was competition secretary for many years before becoming captain in 1995.

The Harrogate Union competition secretary for six years, John is well versed in golf administration and organisation, a fact which is recognised by his second term as a very active member of the Yorkshire County Executive. Married to Angela, a non-golfing wife, John's busy life will be even busier for the next 12 months. Already well known in union and county golfing circles John is looking forward to renewing old friendships and making new friends during his year.

Lombard Trophy

A golf trip of a lifetime awaits amateur Peter Doherty and his Billingham PGA professional Michael Lire if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Doherty took his first big step towards a luxury five-day trip to one of Europe's leading courses, San Lorenzo in Portugal, when he won the club qualifying competition on March 30 with a nett score of 69.

He and Lire now advance to the regional final on June 25 at Seaton Carew golf club where they will play one round of better-ball medal play. The winners of 16 regional finals throughout Britain and Ireland will enjoy an all expenses paid luxury trip to compete at San Lorenzo from September 5-9. Peter Doherty is a Ceil Leader from Stockton in County Durham where he lives with his wife. He has been playing golf for 17 years and plays of a handicap of 11. His hobbies, apart from golf, include equestrian and show jumping. Michael Lire, 40, has been a club professional at Billingham for eight years. The winning professional in the regional final received £475 and there are valuable prizes for the top amateurs. Sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Lombard Trophy offers an overall professional fund of £75,000. The winning pro in Portugal will receive £7,500. Now in its ninth year the Lombard Trophy has an entry this season of around 100,000 club golfers from all over Britain and Ireland. Last year's winners were Oulton Park represented by Steve Gromett and 12-handicapper Alan Cooper.