hit hard

EAST Lancashire's top young golfers have been through a tough preparation ahead of today's ELGA Junior Championship.

The association's representative side, containing many of the favourites to lift the trophy at Rishton, were brutally brushed aside by Fylde at Fleetwood yesterday, ending up on the wrong end of a 11-6 scoreline.

ELGA title holder Steven McGlynn and Brett Langstreth got their side off to a perfect start with a one hole win in the morning foursomes, but the next four ELGA pairs all lost before Tom Lewis and Jake Chadwick pulled it back to 4-2.

McGlynn then lost 5 and 4 before Ryan Foster went down 7 and 5, although Dean Pickard and Nick Pearson kept ELGA within two points .

However, their fate was sealed when Langstreth, Lewis and Chris Nicholls all lost their matches.

Ian Hamilton and James Jackson salvaged some late pride with wins, and Chadwick halved his singles game but this was ELGA's last word as Sam Punchard and Scott Redferan went down to defeats in the final two games.

Blackburn's Steven McGlynn will be attempting to become only the fourth player to retain the ttile, and indeed win it twice, since the competition started in 1962.

But, according to ELGA president David France said, the day is not just about the top golfers, which is why there are net prizes for youngsters with higher handicaps.

France said: "It's about being open to golfers of all levels.

"There is a high standard of players but it gives the lads who don't get picked for East Lancs a chance to see what it's like in competing against golfers from othe clubs rather than at their won club.

"It's always hugely well subscribed and it's surprising how many of the youngsters come up through the ranks and get noticed."