8:22am Friday 22nd June 2012
By Gary York
OVER a dozen East Lancashire golfers will aim to move one step closer to competing against world class stars Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy when Open Championship regional qualifying begins at Clitheroe on Monday morning.
A field of 98 professionals and amateurs will head to the picturesque course aiming to reach local final qualifying, with this year’s Open returning to Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Among those looking to make full use oflocal knowledge will be Clitheroe trio Graham McEwan, Jonathan Pollard and Nathan Dunn.
Pleasington pair Jack Brooks and Robert Middleton are also in the hunt, along with Blackburn’s Steven McGlynn and Hurst Green-based Mark Young, the 2012 Lancashire amateur champion.
For the golfers taking part, the chances of reaching the Open Championship itself are very remote, as hundreds take to regional qualifying at 14 different venues across the United Kingdom.
The cream of the crop then battle it out at four local final qualifying venues – Hillside, West Lancashire, St Annes Old Links and Southport & Ainsdale – on July 3 for just 16 places at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
It is anticipated that the top 10 finishers at Clitheroe will progress to local final qualifying, but the figure could change depending on results at other venues.
A handful of golfers from East Lancashire are also hoping to qualify at Mere, one of the other regional venues.
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