TWO of the area's leading professionals were hoping to be in the swim in the Lake District this weekend.

Malton and Norton GC professional Steve Robinson and his Knaresborough GC counterpart Gary Vickers were spearheading the local challenge in the Professional Golfers' Association Rayrigg Motors Lakes Classic at Windermere today and tomorrow.

They are in a strong field of 56 featuring several past winners of the title, including one-time Ryder Cup player Gordon Brand.

Both Robinson and Vickers, who enjoyed runs of success early in the season, will be seeking to end the northern region of the PGA calendar with a flourish.

After this weekend's Lake Classic, the region's final Order of Merit tournament is the Manchester Open at the De Vere Mottram Hall complex on September 23-25.

IT was a day for bravery and Garys at Forest of Galtres GC's club championship.

Just three days before the event, a winner of the midweek medal had grossed 70. But on championship day conditions were so punitive - driving wind and rain - that scores were largely in the 80s.

But the contest did provide a 'first' for Forest of Galtres. Five-handicapper Gary Garbutt and Gary Wensley, who plays off eight, both posted scores of 78 and 79 to necessitate the first-ever play-off in the championship's history.

The crown eventually went to Garbutt, a 37-year-old building surveyor, courtesy of a par on the last of the three-hole decider.

Simon Cowan (13 handicap) was third with a gross 158 (81 77), which also gave him the consolation of the best nett score.

YORK Union exceeded expectations to finish fifth out of eight teams in the Yorkshire Inter-District Union team championship at Brass Castle, Middlesbrough.

Fulford player James Mason excelled as he posted the best one-round score with a three-under 67 and also the best aggregate of 140. Pike Hills' Martin Brown had a one-under-par 69, while teenager Matthew Lord (Fulford) had a first round 72.

ALLERTHORPE Park's Caroline Lewis, Christine Floyd, Eunice Mouncey, Thelma Dutton, Chris Hyde, Pat Stageman, Sally Wilkinson and Judy Clarke were beaten by eventual winners Pontefract 4-3 in the Yorkshire Ladies' County Golf Association inter-club team championship semi-final at Meltham, Huddersfield.

FULFORD GC's seniors trophy was won by Bill Woodley with 41 stableford points on count-back from John Linaker and Bill Coatesworth.

BILL Tasker won Allerthorpe's September medal with a nett 63, three ahead of Steve Moran, Ian Mounser and Alan Jones.

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, September 14, 2002