ANDREW Taylor cruised to victory in Crook's President's Day with 45 points.

Alan Smith took the July medal with a gross 74 (nett 65). Ian Heslop triumphed in Division Two (gross 88, nett 66).

Meanwhile, the Crook team hammered High Throston 9-1 to record an emphatic win in the Prince Bishop Golf League.

l KEEN golfers have the chance to play for free this summer on De Vere Slaley Hall's championship Hunting Course.

Players need to complete three rounds on the championship Priestman course at reduced green fees, before receiving a fourth round on the Hunting Course for free.

Specially reduced fees for the Priestman course offer a round of golf for only £80 per four players or £50 for two, a saving of up to 50 per cent on the usual fees.

The offer, which is subject to availability, is valid until the end of August 2000 and can be booked up to seven days in advance.

l E Gulliksen from Seascale took the honours in the Northern Counties Senior Championship, beating Crewe's C R Smethurst by two shots.

Gulliksen's rounds of 79 and 67 gave him a total of 146.

P Shaw (150) won the 60-64 years, ATH Turtill (Eden) the 65-69 years with a total of 153, while in the over-70s, Eaglescliffe's D Munro triumphed with a two-round total of 160.

l Scotland is stepping up its bid to host the 2009 Ryder Cup. Glen Kirton, who masterminded English football's bid to stage Euro 96, has taken up the reins for Scotland as it aims to bring home the Ryder Cup for the first time in 36 years.