FATHER-of four Phil Benyon is the new St Helens Open Golf Champion.

He clinched his crown at Sherdley Park on Saturday with a gross score of 73, playing off four.

He just pipped his Sherdley team-mate Phil Evans, thanks to a better back nine.

A member for eight years, Phil is the club's captain-elect.

A spokesman for the event's organisers said: "We would like to thank Mr Brian Collins and his green-keeping staff for putting the course in such magnificent condition. We would also like to thank the sponsors along with Linda and her catering and bar staff who did a superb job."

RESULTS

Gross:1 P. Benyon, Sherdley Park GC (73, handicap 4); 2 P. Evans, Sherdley Park (73-1, better back nine); 3 J. Greenough, Grange Park (76-12).

Nett: 1 B. Platt, Mersey Valley (64-10); 2 N. Carruthers, Sherdley Park (68-16); 3 G. Kearns, Sherdley Park (68-12).

Category prizes

Handicap 0-9: J. Collins, Sherdley Park 69.

10-17: A. Corbett, Grange Park 69.

18-24: P. Rimmer, Bowring Park 69.

Captains/Secretary's Prize: Captain of Alder Root GC 71.

Sponsors prize: C. Singleton (Commercial Business Equipment).

Nearest the pin: 5 S. Lomax (Sherdley Park); 12 Paul Green (Sherdley Park); 15 W. Dennison (Sherdley Park).

Longest drive: handicap 0-12 B. Taylor (Sherdley Park); 13-24 D. D'Souza (Sherdley Park).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.