GARY Phillipson will be aiming to win the ELGA Scratch Medal for the fourth time in five years when the Scratch Shield and President's Trophy get underway at Whalley this weekend.

The Darwen ace has practically made the competition his own during the last few seasons after his debut victory at Rossendale in 1995.

Two years later he won it again with a round of 72 at Shaw Hill.

And last summer he became the medal winner for the third time with a 69 at Blackburn which also helped his Darwen team-mates secure the President's Trophy with a total of 299.

Now the 31-year-old is looking to do the double again, this time over Whalley's popular nine-hole course.

The Scratch Shield and President's Trophy ranks as one of the most prestigious events on the ELGA calendar and competition organisers are again expecting a quality field.

All 23 member clubs of ELGA will enter a side, featuring some of the best amateur golfers in the county.

The Association Shield goes to the club whose team returns the best aggregate scratch score over 18 holes.

And the President's Trophy will be won by the team with the best aggregate nett under handicap - each player being limited to a handicap of 12. But it's the Scratch Medal Phillipson will have a special eye on.

That goes to the competitor who returns the best gross in the Shield competition.

And ELGA secretary Peter Duerden is anticipating a real battle.

"Gary's a very good player," said Peter.

"But I think it's going to be a great contest because there should be some good scores.

"The Whalley course is in very good nick at the moment so we're just hoping the weather won't let us down."

The Scratch Shield and Presidents Trophy will also act as a good form-guide for ELGA's showpiece event the Harold Ryden Trophy, which is being hosted by Burnley this year.

A 60-strong field will take part in qualifying for that on Saturday-week and the competition will reach its conclusion on the following Wednesday.

Phillipson will be hoping he can go one better than last year when he finished runner up to ELGA captain Tony Holt at Pleasington.

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