THE BGA inter-club league, sponsored once again by the Bank Top Brewery, produced a great start for Old Links in their first match when they crushed the home side Regent Park 6½-1½ in League B.

Unfortunately ‘Park’ lost some significant players during the summer and found Old Links just too much for them. Tonight, they meet Deane and will need to give a solid performance if they are to reduce their early deficit.

The 2014 BGA league champions, Turton, were narrowly defeated in their first match when hosts Deane gained a significant 4½-3½ victory.

Turton’s team captain, Billy Dempsey said: “We played well overall and it could have gone either way with Gary Myerscough just losing on the last, Steve Greenough was one-up after 17 but lost the last and the reigning BGA Champion Liam Ball, also lost.

"In the end, Deane just pipped us to the post.”

Meanwhile in League A, Horwich visited Dunscar last week and claimed a narrow 4½–3½ result for the Locos. Horwich club captain, Mark Oldham said: “I was delighted to see us take the spoils at Dunscar which has given us a good start to the new season.”

Chorley came up trumps with a solid 5½-2½ victory at home against rivals Bolton.

“It was a convincing win,” said Chorley’s team captain, Dan Wright.

The Hall ‘o th’ Hill side will visit Westhoughton tonight and they feel confident to accumulate another win – despite being away from home.

Elsewhere, Westhoughton suffered a home defeat in their opening match when Great Lever made no mistake with a 5½- 2½ win.

The Farnworth side host Dunscar tonight and are reasonably confident that they can make it two in a row.

In League B, Breightmet over-turned visitors Hart Common with a narrow 4½-3½ victory last week.

However, they face local rivals Harwood away this week when the home side make their first league appearance.

There is no doubt that Breightmet will need to be on top form for this encounter.

Hart Common has some excellent top handicappers in their team and are normally favourites at home.

It will be interesting to see how they fare against the reigning league champions Turton who are looking for another trip to the league finals in September.

Elsewhere, Regent Park Golf Centre have announced the appointment of Mark Latham as green keeper as part of the extensive course improvement programme that has already started to bring the course back to its former glory.

He will be complimenting the work currently being undertaken by course constructor Rob Hall who is busy with various major on course projects including the finishing off of the new nine-hole par 3 short course.

Owner Robin Day said: "The golf market is more competitive than ever but with the improvements we have made at RPGC we expect to bring the course back to its original status when it was recognised as the best golf course.

"The new short course or family course should be open for the summer season and this will compliment our golf offering and our whole set up is now geared up to promoting golf and encouraging the people of Bolton to start and continue to play golf. "