Junior section is thriving at Leyland Golf Club

While the famed professionals prepare for Leyland’s youngsters have been taking part in their own competition.

Rhys Heald, 12, Sam Waddington, nine, and his brother Jack, seven all won their age categories at the junior drive, chip and putt competition.

And head professional and coach Colin Burgess says the junior scene at Leyland is one to keep an eye on.

Burgess said: “We get a lot in the junior classes every Sunday, up to 30 youngsters come every week.

“It is thriving at the moment.

“We have little nine hole competitions for them, a junior course now and every third Sunday they play a competition.

“The other weekend our junior class held their drive, chip and putt competition.

“We had three groups of different ages and we had a super day.

“The kids enjoyed it so did the parents and grandparents.

“They did very well.

“Young Jack who is seven hit it 120 odd yards off the tee for his long drive, and one of the boys, Reece, was 200 and something yards, which for a 12-year-old is pretty good.”

Junior lessons take place every Sunday with both girls and boys learning the sport.

And Burgess, who also teaches a ladies class from 6:30pm onwards every Tuesday night, says the ladies section is also thriving.

But he urged anyone interested in taking up golf to try the sport.

He said: “We are trying to get more female golfers, Leyland Golf Club is very family friendly and has got a big ladies section.”We have got 90, a good strong section and I have a class every Tuesday.

“And we always welcome new members.”

For more details, call 01772 436457.

But Leyland is not the only local golf club with a thriving ladies’ scene.

Chorley and Shaw Hill Golf Club also have strong ladies’ sections.

The sterling efforts of Chorley Golf Club members in hosting the Bolton Ladies’ Championship and Senior Championship were amply rewarded last week.

They won high praise from many competitors for the course and how it was presented, and also the facilities including the newly opened 197 Bar and barbecue area.

And the club were doubly delighted when two home players battled through to the senior final.

Milly McGinty and Steph Patterson played out a tight game, in which there was never more than a one hole advantage for either player.

But Milly eventually edged to one up on the 17th, and held her nerve on the last hole to become Bolton Ladies’ Seniors champion for 2018.