Golf: James Robinson catches the Formby Hare to set early pace

May 6 2008 by David Birtill, Liverpool Daily Post

JAMES ROBINSON took pole position in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit when he won the Formby Hare, the day after finishing runner-up in the Southport and Ainsdale Bowl at his home club.

And as his handicap was reduced to plus three for the first time, the 19-year-old England Under-21 player described a stroke of luck in his first round.

After striking a three wood tee- shot down the left side of the 312- yard fourth hole, he lost sight of his pitch as it rose over the greenside bunkers.

"I thought I’d hit it close but could not see the ball anywhere until I found it in the cup," he said.

The eagle, followed by three birdies, helped him to a 69 to which he tagged a 73 for a two-under-par aggregate to prevail by three shots from his Lancashire team-mate Mark Young, the defending merit winner from Longridge.

DETAILS:@ 142 James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale) 69,73; 145 Mark Young (Longridge) 73,72; 146 Michael Hunt (Pleasington) 72,74, Gareth Clark (Manchester) 71,75; 147 Paul Lowey (Douglas) 73,74; 148 Tom Stuart (St Annes Old Links) 78,70; 149 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale) 75,74, Stephen Hindle (Ellesmere) 75,74; 150 Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall) 75,75, Stephen Brennan (Wheatley) 75,75, Nick Bell (Carlisle) 74,76; 151 Carl Thompson (Manchester) 77,74.

MERIT LEADERS: @250pts James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale); 150 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 100 Mark Young (Longridge); 85 Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall); 75 Willie Bowe (Workington), Michael Hunt (Pleasington); Paul Lowey (Douglas); 60 Gareth Clark (Manchester); 50 Phil Waugh (Hexham); 55 Gary Wolstenholme (Carus Green), Tom Stuart (St Annes Old Links).

* JOHN CARROLL called the tune in the Southport and Ainsdale Bowl as the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit swung into action for its 21st season.

The 29-year-old painter and decorator, from Huyton and Prescot, gave the rest of the big field the brush off with rounds of 68 and 67 for a seven- under-par total.

Plus three ranked Carroll, the 2006 Lancashire County champion, was a shot ahead at the halfway stage, thanks to an eagle at the second hole followed by three birdies.

He picked up five more strokes in the afternoon to finish two ahead of host club player James Robinson.

Workington’s Willie Bowe was third, five shots off the pace, while three further back in sixth spot was his new Cumbria team-mate, Walker Cup legend Gary Wolstenholme who represents Kendal club Carus Green.

The six-time Walker Cup player, who has moved to Heysham from Leicestershire, said: "How many of the fixtures I enter will depend on those with the England team and other 72 hole events which are perceived as more important these days."

Wolstenholme said he will also compete in the Wilpshire Trophy on August 2, which he has supported in the past, unless he reaches the final stages of the English Amateur Championship at Woodhall Spa.

DETAILS: 135 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 68,67; 137 James Robinson (S&A) 69,68; 140 Willie Bowe (Workington) 72,68; 141 Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall) 70,71, Phil Waugh (Hexham) 70,71; 143 Gary Wolstenholme (Carus Green) 72,71; 144 John Longcake (Silloth-on-Solway) 73,71, Garry Lacy (Ashton-in- Makerfield) 72,72, Alan Harrison (S&A) 71,73, Paul Lowey (Douglas) 70,74, Ian Winstanley (Formby) 69,75; 145 Andrew Terry (Manchester) 71,74.