ST HELENS golfing enthusiasts are in for a real treat this Sunday.

For Grange Park's annual open day gives them the chance not only to walk around one of the longest established courses in the region but also to see the cream of the North's leading amateur players in action as they challenge for the Rosebowl Trophy.

Since 1983 Grange Park has supported the Mitsushiba 'Northern Order of Merit' by staging the Rosebowl competition. Until last year Pilkington plc, the landlords of Grange Park GC, fully backed the Rosebowl but subsequently decided to withdraw sponsorship.

The club's council decided that every effort should be made to continue the event and thanks to support from members and local businesses sufficient sponsorship has been generated to meet the £3,000 running costs.

Many county and international players regularly take part including past winners such as Steve Hamer, Gary Boardman, Karl Wallbank, Gary Lacey, Paul Williams and Tony Jackson. Grange Park has not provided a home winner of the event since Greg Helsby in 1992 but Johnathan Greenough, a former runner-up, Ken Hudson and Andy Twist are among those expected to do well. Gary Garret, Danny Seddon, Martin Shaw and Robin Hall will also be stronger contenders for their experiences in the event last year.

Gary Frodsham, who joined Grange Park this year from Dean Wood will also be another local representative while Sherdley Park's challenge will again be led by Paul Fairhurst.

Says Grange Park Captain Geoff Makin: "The course is in fantastic condition. The fairways are clearly defined and the greens are running true. Since last year we have complete a £40,000 facelift with all the bunkers being revamped. As always Grange Park will represent a tough but fair challenge and will reward good shots. It promises to be a great day and we welcome support from not only club members but also the general public. Anyone genuinely interested in seeing very good golfers on a very good golf course will be made welcome".

The event gets under way with the first group of three golfers teeing off at 7.45am. The last group of the 60-strong field will begin the morning round at 11.15am. Play will continue throughout the day until around 8.30pm after which the player with the lowest 36 hole total will be presented with the new Grange Park Rosebowl trophy, which has been provided by the ex-captains of the club.

Two future stars of the Rosebowl, Grange Park's Ian Berry and Danny Marsh, represented the South Lancs Junior League against the Bolton League at Dean Wood GC.

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