THE lure of a top local tournament proved to be too much for golf-mad Chris Newsham - even though he was on his honeymoon!

Chris was back home from America to tie the knot with his bride Sandi but he still managed to find time to compete in the Wilpshire Trophy at Wilpshire Golf Club at the weekend.

The 26-year-old former Clitheroe Grammar School pupil still has close links with the club and when an application form popped through the post at his parents' house in Simonstone, it proved irresistible

However Chris, who plays off a handicap of one, was denied his perfect wedding present when he lost out by just two shots to finish second to close friend Nick Uttley in the Mitsushiba northern order of merit event.

Chris and Sandi, who have settle in South Georgia, were married at West Bradford Methodist Church, Waddington on Saturday, July 26.

His father John said that Chris was the last name to be entered into the competition while his mother Brenda said that Sandi did not seem too bothered as she comes from a golfing family herself. John said: "I told Chris about the application form and the club had to check whether he was eligible to enter which he was. He just had to bring proof of his handicap with him and we managed to get him registered just in time."

Chris moved to America six years ago when he won a golf scholarship to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He has since gained a degree and masters and is currently teaching special education to High School pupils in South Georgia.

So Chris has been no stranger to hopping the Atlantic to compete in local events and on his last visit two years ago, he won the prestigious Wilpshire Championship Trophy and picked up second places in both the Silver Trophy at Burnley Golf Club and Revidge Cannon at Blackburn Golf Club.

John added: "I suppose winning would have been the perfect wedding present but it has been a fantastic couple of weeks. Chris got a bit carried away when he gave his speech at the club after finishing second and forgot to thank his caddie Howard Edwards which I hope I can do for him."

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