WHEN competitors tee off for the 15th Pilkington Rosebowl Golf Tournament at Grange Park Golf Club on Sunday, August 3, the current title holder will not be around to defend his title.

Former Lancashire County player Grant Hammerton, from Manchester Golf Club, who lifted the trophy last year turned professional at the end of the season.

He said: "Naturally I was delighted both for myself and for my club to lift such a prestigious trophy last year. The course at Grange Park seems to suit me. It certainly rewards if you attack, especially on the par fives and that's the way I like it".

Gordon Wand, chairman of the Special Events Committee at Grange Park, said: "It is only the second time in the history of the Rosebowl that a current holder has turned professional before being able to defend his title. However, because this is one of the competitions from which the Amateur Golfer of the Year will emerge I am confident competition at this level will bring out the best in the 72 'Tiger Woods type' competitors who will be travelling from far and wide in the hope of lifting the trophy".

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