Golf: James Robinson leaves the door open to Merit rivals

May 20 2008 by David Birtill, Liverpool Daily Post

JAMES ROBINSON continued his stunning form when he won the Pines Trophy at Hillside to record back-to-back Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit victories and take his total of points to 400 after only three events.

The 19-year-old England Under-21 player, who last month raced away with the Formby Hare and finished second in the Southport and Ainsdale Bowl at his home club, made short work of the recently extended course with rounds of 68 and 73, three-under-par in total.

And he arrived there the day after a thumping eight and six singles success as Lancashire overpowered Cumbria in their opening Northern Counties League match.

Robinson, who is also a member of Gathurst, harvested five birdies in his first round to lead by three shots, a margin he maintained after a 73 in slightly more testing conditions in the afternoon.

Garry Lacy, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, finished second after posting 71 and 73 to move third in the merit on 130 points, 20 adrift of fellow past Lancashire champion John Carroll, from Huyton and Prescot, who is 250 behind Robinson,

But Robinson has left the door open already for the chasing pack because he only expects to play in three or four more fixtures due to his England commitments.

“They are my priorities,” he said, revealing that he attributed his success to all-round his consistency, especially with the putter.

The plus three player, coached by Adrian Fryer at Warrington Drivetime, was more than happy with his weekend’s work after the disappointment of failing to make the cut in the Lytham Trophy – the first big amateur international event of the season – seven days earlier.

DETAILS: 141 James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale) 68,73; 144 Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 71,73; 146 Kevin Kean (Ashton-on-Mersey) 73,73, Steve Hindle (Ellesmere) 71,75; 148 Richard Blundell (Hillside) 72,76; 150 Kristian Taylor (Formby) 76,74, Matthew Hough (Manchester) 75,75, Sam Stuart (St Annes Old Links) 75,75, Simon Bell (Baildon) 73,77; 152 Richard Kilshaw (Hillside) 77,75, Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale) 75,77, Matthew Cox (Royal Birkdale) 74,78.

MERIT LEADERS: 400pts James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale); 150 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 130 Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield);100 Mark Young (Longridge); 90 Steve Hindle (Ellesmere); 85 Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall); 75 Willie Bowe (Workington), Michael Hunt (Pleasington), Kevin Kean (Ashton-on-Mersey); Paul Lowey (Douglas); 60 Gareth Clark (Manchester); 55 Mark Rabone (S&A); 50 Phil Waugh (Hexham), Richard Blundell (Hillside); 45 Gary Wolstenholme (Carus Green), Tom Stuart (St Annes Old Links), Kristian Taylor (Formby).