Best amateur players in Lancashire battle it out for championships in Bolton

There will then be a ‘cut’ and the final stages will conclude on Sunday when the field will be reduced to '40 and ties' and the presentation will be made by the Lancashire President – Tony McMunn.

The club has made a significant effort to ensure that the course and facilities for both players and officials will be well served.

Bolton Golf Club’s Chairman, Roger McMullan, said: “We are delighted and proud to have been asked to stage this prodigious championship.

"A considerable amount of effort from our staff, together with over 40 volunteers, has been working for many weeks to ensure that the championship is ready. We only hope that the weather treats us kindly”.

Twenty-six Bolton competitors from eight BGA clubs have signed up including nine members from Old Links and eight from the host club which includes two three time BGA champions with Gareth Hastie and the reigning Bolton champion Liam Ball from Turton.

Hastie added: “Well as a home club player I must try and make this one special. But there is a stream of top class Lancashire players in the field – it could be anybody’s championship.”

Players from Old Links include Steve Bryan, the 2004 Bolton champion, Matt Buckley and the perennial Karl Bowker who recently transferred to Old Links from Harwood.

Other potentials from Old Links are Aaron Watkinson, Sam Towers and Marcus Scholes.

Rob Taylor of Bolton, who has just returned from his honeymoon, is hoping for a chance to shine, while a regular LAC competitor from Bolton is Mark Millhouse. Other Bolton players are Mike Stafford, John Maree and Chris Lloyd.

Dean supplies three competitors with Gary Walker, Javiad Sabrine and Andy Pilling while Nicky Hibbs and Chris Lowe are from Hindley Hall.

Other competitors are Joe Whittaker (Great Lever), Mark Latham (Hart Common) and Anthony Stirling (Harwood) is the only competitors from their clubs.