GOLFER Gary Spann is hitting the right note . . . on and off the course.

The 17-year-old Stand Golf member is picking up honours in quick succession after just three years playing the game - and he is also hoping to rise to the top of the charts with local band Winston.

Whitefield-based Gary plays bass guitar with Winston and after posing for our photographer, he had to dash off to get in a final practice before the band appeared at a Manchester nightclub as part of the Greater Manchester Showcase.

Gary learnt his golf the hard way - around the hard, hilly terrain that is Heaton Park golf course.

"My friends and myself played there, and on the pitch and putt at Heaton Park," said Gary.

"I had a season there and it only cost £30 . . . but if you don't learn to hit the ball straight quickly it will cost you an awful lot at Heaton Park in lost golf balls and it becomes an expensive sport.

"The first round I had at Heaton Park I hit a 128. Last time I went round in 69, which is one under par."

So Gary did learn fast . . . and it has shown over the last few months as he has picked up the Best Overall Gross award in the Manchester Junior League over the last year, the Flixton GC Challenge Trophy and the Junior Trophy at his own club, Stand. In that one, Gary hit a two under par 70 . . . and that's just three off the course record.

The Flixton event was won with a par 71 and he picked up three best gross finishes over the 10 rounds in the Best Overall Gross competition played at courses around Manchester.

"I really want to stay as an amateur as far as golf is concerned," said Stand College student Gary. "I haven't been playing that long and my target at the moment is to continue at my present rate and get down to playing off plus figures."

Gary, who has also played for Lancashire and North West Manchester's U-16 and U-18 teams, is studying PE, physcology and computing at Stand and recently played at Bramhall Park GC for the college in a regional qualifier for the Golf Foundation event.

"We were in a three-man team and one of the lads hit a high score so we didn't make it to the national finals," said Gary.

You can't win 'em all, as they say, but Gary could be a winner at the double if Winston take off too.

"We sent in a demo tape and were chosen for the Showcase from 120 bands," said Gary. "We are a four-piece band and we have had some good reviews."

Back to the golf course, and Gary is aiming to play in the senior Northen Order of Merit next year. "All the golfers that compete in that event are off scratch or less," said Gary.

Onwards and upwards then for the lad who aims to take it to the top and be a star Spann-gled name in the worlds of golf and music.

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