BOB Bardsley lifted the Floyd Trophy, Denton’s 36-hole scratch championship, for a remarkable 14th time.
Yet it was the first time in 12 years that 60-year-old Bob had triumphed in the competition.
“I hadn’t entered every year and, when I did, some of the younger lads shot some good scores,” he explained.
Scratch player Bob shot rounds of 73 and 76 which was seven over par.
“It was very windy, and the course was fiery so playing conditions were not easy,” he said.
Apart from a triple bogey on the ninth, Bob described his play over the two rounds as “steady”.
“I must have had five or six birdies over the two rounds and a few bogeys,” he continued.
Bob, who works for the golf company FootJoy, has been a member for 49 years at Denton where his father and grandfather also played.
He was one of the country’s leading amateurs, representing England at youth and full level and representing Lancashire for 28 years.
Bob finished two shots clear of runner-up Connor Sutton (151) while a further two back in third place was Damian Travers (153).
The Bardsley Trophy, given to the club by Bob’s grandfather for the best nett score in the 36-hole event, went to Amir Nazir.
Playing off a handicap of 14, Amir had nett rounds of 68 and 67 for 135 which was seven-under-par.
Amir, a service project manager for the Ministry of Justice, admitted the windy conditions suited him as he hits the ball low.
He hit three birdies, including the seventh which is the hardest hole on course.
Amir, who lives in North Manchester, added he enjoyed a “lot of luck” as he appeared destined to win.
He said: “I hit the telephone cable on the fourth with the ball going into the water.
“We have a local rule you can play the ball again when you hit the cable and that saved me two shots.
“I was behind the trees on the seventh and nine times out of 10 would have hit them but managed to punch the ball on to the green.
“I had the rub of the green with little things like that as well as sinking a lot of putts.”
Amir, who captains the B team in the Oldham & District League, has been a member for seven years. He has won one previous major, the Victory Cup in 2019.
Amir’ score of 135 was well clear of second-placed Jim Cox (141) and Warren Jones (144) who was third.
The Wednesday Bowl has been won by Nicholas Green with an overall score of 207. Ian Lakin (212) was second and Kevin Brearley (214) third.
The final bowl event saw Stephen Cook (66) finish top of the leaderboard from Nicholas (67) and Ian (69).
The first division of the monthly medal saw Robert Ashelby (67) take top spot on the card from Gary Boott while third was Vincent Froggatt (69).
Shahnawaz Gauhar (67) edged division two on the card from John Bennett. Third was Paul Skelly (68).
Decisive winners of the Am-Am were Gary Boott, Martin Proffit, Alan Savidge and Gary Finn with 92 points in the team Stableford.
Runners-up were Dave Kelly, Mark Alexander, Tony Morgan and Peter Hulme (86pts) on the card from Alan and Tony Barber, Keith Johnson and Dave Howard.
- A charity golf day raised almost £5,500 for Prostate Cancer UK.