AN American slice of golfing pie is now awaiting a posse of Yorkshire golfers spearheaded by York's former England international Jonathan Plaxton.

The revived annual fixture between York/Yorkshire against a team from the United States of America is to get its second airing in August 2005 when the Riverton Country Club in New Jersey will host the international fixture.

Now organiser Plaxton is appealing for players to commit themselves to the trans-Atlantic tussle for which he was the driving force last season when it was hosted by Fulford GC.

Back then Plaxton was serving as club captain, a post which he wanted to commemorate with a revival of the matches between York and New York teams held throughout the 1970s.

That came to fruition in September when Fulford played host to a party of golfers from across the Atlantic.

Now a return visit is on to the Donald Ross-designed Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson in New Jersey for the match on August 8-9 next year with the keen backing of Craig Ammerman, who serves on the United States Golf Association committee and who is currently organising the national amateur links tournament.

Interest has been so keen from America that a third match is being mooted at Fulford GC in 2007, explained Plaxton, whose tenure as Fulford captain has since been replaced by his elevation to the chairmanship of the club's centenary committee.

"Craig Ammerman has been a great help and supporter of the event," said Plaxton. "He is a top American official and has previously been involved with both the Masters and US Open tournaments.

"There are a limited number of possible places in the 24-strong golf team for next year so if anyone is interested then they can contact Fulford GC's secretary/manager Linda Gurnell (tel 413579) and leave her some contact details so I can then get in touch with them direct."

As with last year the Anglo-American encounter will coincide with the annual Walker Cup international - the amateur game's top team tournament - which, next year, will be hosted by Chicago Golf Club on August 13-14.

Added Plaxton: "I am hoping that there will be other people like myself who would want to stay over to take in the Walker Cup match on American soil, especially as we have won the last two or three."

The Riverton Country Club should provide a thrilling backdrop for the Yorkshire/York v USA 2005 challenge. Formed in 1900 by a group of Quaker businessmen, the club has in the last few years undergone an extensive refurbishment programme at a cost of $5million.

HOLDING the fort prevented North Yorkshire's leading amateur player Emma Duggleby from attempting to win a top crown.

Duggleby was standing in at the Malton and Norton GC professional's shop as pro' Steve Robinson was spearheading the Yorkshire boys' team, which he coaches, in the Northern County championships at Stockport.

That meant that Duggleby had to sit out the English Ladies' Strokeplay Championships currently being played at Woodhall Spa.

But the Curtis Cup star will be back in top-grade action next month when she will vie for the British Strokeplay Championship at Alwoodley GC near Leeds.

HEWORTH GC have shook off the handicap of having only a limited amount of players to call on to open an emphatic 21-point lead after seven of the scheduled ten matches in the York Union of Golf Clubs' Scratch League.

The division one leaders have amassed six wins and one draw from their outings so far to put them on the verge of clinching the title.

However, the battle for minor places is wide open with second-placed Pike Hills next week playing Fulford, who are just one point and one place below them.

Kirkbymoorside head division two, but Easingwold and Forest Park are in close contention.

KATIE Dobson was to the fore in The Oaks GC's mixed open.

The youngster, who this week competed in the English Ladies' Strokeplay Championship at Woodhall Spa, was the best home performer when she and club-mate Gary Johnson came second on 43 points to winners Jenny Burt and Martin Moody (Elsham) on 44.

Katie's contribution was to post an impressive gross score of 70 and also hit the ladies' longest drive.

That followed on from her capture of the Northern Ladies' Championship Millennium Bowl at Blackpool's North Shore course last month.

Updated: 09:25 Saturday, July 17, 2004