GREAT Britain and Ireland's treble-seeking Walker Cup stars were in York today polishing their skills ahead of the big weekend showdown with the United States.

They were scheduled to practice at Fulford Golf Club in preparation for the two-day battle which starts on Saturday.

They followed the Americans to the Fulford course, the US team having played there yesterday in a practice match against Yorkshire, which the White Rose side won 16-5.

Although the USA lead 31-6 overall, GB&I go into the weekend having won the last two matches, the last across the Atlantic at Sea Island, and are aiming for a first-ever hat-trick.

Accuracy rather than big-hitting will be required at the gorse-festooned North Yorkshire course and the home players were getting acquainted with Ganton's subtle nuances yesterday.

Among them was 19-year-old Michael Skelton, one of the proteges of top coach Steve Robinson, who is based at Malton and Norton GC.

The teenage Middlesbrough GC star from Marske said: "Ganton is my favourite course in the world.

"I've played at Ganton loads of times but its it playing a bit different than it was a couple of weeks ago when we were all here.

"It is playing a bit softer. Last time we were here it was all sun-burned grass so there must have been a bit of rain."

Today's trip down the A64 to Fulford is designed to give the Walker Cup squad a break from the Ganton course.

"It's just to get a bit of freedom. If you are not careful you can get a bit sick of playing the same course all the time," said Skelton, whose caddie will be Emma Duggleby, the former British Women's Amateur champion from Malton.

The States team arrived at Ganton earlier than the GB&I boys and have played 36 holes each day.

With the Americans having lost some of their best players to the professional game, GB&I find themselves in the unaccustomed position of being favourites.

They will be back at Ganton tomorrow to prepare for the final practice round on Friday which will be open to the public and should see the atmosphere in the tented village start to build.

Both days feature four foursomes matches (18 holes) each morning, eight singles (18 holes) each afternoon. Play starts on Saturday with the first foursomes going out at 7.30am. The singles start at 12.30pm.

On Sunday, it is an 8am start for the foursomes, followed by the singles at 1pm.

The various pairings are expected to be announced on Friday.

Tickets, costing £20, will be available at the gate on both days in order to satisfy public demand.

Yesterday, the Fulford course - as reported by the Evening Press - staged a goodwill match between Yorkshire and the United States, used by the Americans as warm-up for the Walker Cup clash.

The Yorkshire team won the match 16-5 and Fulford GC captain Jonathan Plaxton, who competed in the contest, told the Evening Press the success of the event boosted Fulford's hopes of one again staging professional competitions.

"It was fabulous," said Plaxton, who, with clubmate Bob Elliott, won his double encounter two-and-half to a half.

"Everybody enjoyed themselves and everything went as we planned.

"All my helpers and co-ordinators did exactly what was asked of them and more. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress said it was one of the best events they've been to. We could not have asked for more.

"With the GB and Ireland team coming today, it's been a busy week at Fulford.

"It shows that as a golf club we're capable of hosting a major event and we're hopeful that in due course we may attract enough local support to bring a professional tournament back to York."

Updated: 11:35 Wednesday, September 03, 2003