Fylde coast golf round-up: Junior Open at Knott End, Ladies first at Old Links, and how to play like Dustin Johnson

Sponsored by Nu-Form Fire UK and supported by Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, Knott End’s fourth staging of the annual event proved a great success.

Despite coronavirus restrictions, the competitors enjoyed a splendid tournament.

And the winners were able to receive their trophies and have photographs with club captains.

There were some outstanding scores in fairly windy conditions and the gross winner was scratch player Will McGhie of Lancaster GC with a 71.

Ben Drummond (five handicap) of Hesketh was second with 72 and his clubmate Dylan Astin (four) third with 74.

Nett winner was Amy Sarjantson (15) of Ringway with 64. Amy won by one shot from Elliot Gawn (20) of Poulton-le-Fylde and by two from Aaron Kenyon (19) of Hart Common.

The girls’ winner was Grace Gallagher (eight) from Dean Wood with a 71.

In the wake of a thrilling Women’s Open at Royal Troon last week, St Annes Old Links is running a special promotion for ladies, offering half-price entry fees and five/six-day memberships.

The club’s ladies enjoyed some excellent competition last week, when Chris Appleby scored a birdie two on her way to a nett 73 and second place in the midweek medal.

Lynn Park also scored well and birdied the 11th.

Chris won the Saturday medal with a net 77, with Fran Lilley second on 81. Ann Ballard scored the only two of the day.

The 36-hole Ladies’ Club Championship took place on a single day and is not for the faint-hearted, especially with a strong wind to contend with.

Lauren Oatley was the clear winner with gross scores of 79 and 78.

Playing off one, Laura had 20 pars and two birdies in her rounds to win her second club competition in as many weeks. Lynn Park (six) finished second.

An excellent final nine holes saw Fran Lilley (nine) take the best nett prize with an overall score of 14-over.

The best morning nett winner was Anna Dobson (29) and best afternoon nett Chris Appleby (six).

Conditions were far from seasonal for the Summer Meeting, though late starters benefited from the best of the weather.

Fran Lilley, from the silver division, was the overall winner with 10 pars in her nett 74.

Runner-up Susie Harwood (nett 77) was the only bronze division player in the top six .

The 18-hole Ladies’ Medal at Fairhaven was won by Gill Jakeman (division two) with a 73.

Winner for division one was Lynn Griffiths and for division three Lynda Huzal, both with 78.

The nine-hole ladies’ stableford was won by Maria Isherwood with 16 points, though the men’s medal was abandoned.

This week’s top golfing tip from Herons’ Reach teaching professional Alastair Taylor can help you to ... play more like Dustin!

After Dustin Johnson shot 30-under par in Boston last week to claim his 22nd win on the PGA Tour, it may seem odd me suggesting we should play more like him. Most golfers simply can’t ... but here’s what I mean.

It’s only a few weeks since Johnson shot 80-82 to miss a cut, then in his next event he withdrew in round two after an opening 78.

Lots of people were asking why he was struggling.

So after shooting one of the lowest totals ever to win, he was asked what he was doing differently and answered, “Nothing”.

Johnson simply stated that he was still working on the same things he had for a while, and he just felt everything came together after a couple of tough weeks.

I thought this was a brilliant answer, because if one of the best players in the world can accept he had played poorly for a few weeks, why can’t we all just accept that sometimes?

We don’t always need to try something new to improve. We just need to keep working on what we know is correct and get better at doing it.

Follow that advice and I can’t promise you’ll score 30 under for your next four rounds – but I guarantee you will play better.

To contact Alastair at Herons’ Reach email info@alitaylorgolf.com or check out his YouTube channel AliTaylorGolf for more free tips.