Former European Challenge Tour pro Ian Bottomley is the new professional at Fardew Golf Club, East Morton.

Ian, 36, from Bingley, has spent the last year as a professional at Shay Grange, and before that was pro at a 700-member country club at Dusseldorf. He spent two years on the European Challenge Tour as a professional after playing for Bradford, Yorkshire and England as an amateur.

Ian started playing golf as an 11-year-old at Shipley Golf Club, and by the time he was 15 he was playing off one handicap. His brother Stephen is a pro on the Challenge Tour, and will be best remembered for finishing second to John Daly in the 1995 Open at St Andrew's.

Ian intends playing on the Hippo Tour, but his main priority is to set up individual and group coaching at Fardew, as well as expanding the shop there. He can be contacted on 01274 561229.

Bingley St Ives pair John Chambers and Rob Robertson, both playing off 10 handicap, won last week's Bradford Winter Alliance event at Shipley with a four under par 64.

In third place were Skipton's B Mallinson and D Jubb, followed by St Ives pair C Bastow and J Hobson, all on 66.

The previous Alliance event at Riddlesden saw a smashing drive by Bradford Union secretary Brian Newiss, whose tee shot on the elevated 18th went into the car park and through club captain Andy Salanyk's windscreen. Brian says: "It could happen to anyone. It was my only bad shot of the day. Fortunately I was insured."

Results

Bingley St Ives -- Five-Club Medal Trophy: 1 S Mitchell 89-28-61, 2 A M T Johnson 84-15-69, 3 C P Shaw 85-16-69. Ladies Ambler Cup Qualifier: 1 Mrs J Battye 92-18-74 on back nine from Mrs R Brown 92-18-74.

Branshaw -- April Medal, 1st Division: 1 Graham Whiteoak 65, 2 Bill Dakin 66; 2nd Division: 1 Peter Ripley 60, 2 Paul Hargreaves 62; 3rd Division: 1 Geoff Smith 60, 2 Jim McSharry 66.

Fardew -- April Medal: 1 M Fordham 90-24-66, 2 D Garnett 98-28-70, 3 M Ling 84-12-72. Juniors: 1 R Ling 88-20-68, 2 D Jordan 93-21-72, 3 S Ling 97-24-73.

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