SHOOTING a fantastic gross 68 to amass 41 points, Michael King became the first qualifier of Bellingham’s pro-am.

With the club having a gents’ and ladies’ team in the tournament by virtue of three qualifiers throughout nominated competitions, King booked his place ahead of Brian Hardon (37) and John Walton (37).

There have been two Stableford Cup qualifiers played at the Boggle Hole club with Bill MacAlister (33) and Alec Jones (35) tasting success.

Teenager Jack Johnstone (32, 33) finished runner-up in both, with Alan Townsend (32) and David Lawson (32) third in the respective competitions.

There was double triumph for David Cowan as he won both the Goodinson Cup and the opening Medal Championship.

His score of 75-9-66 put the luckless Johnstone (75-7-68) again into second spot in the Goodinson, while Paul Creighton (78-8-70) was third and David Scott (74-3-71) was fourth.

Cowan (85-9-76) then won the Medal qualifier, on countback from Hardon (89-13-76). A close third was Dom Rapier (82-5-77).

Hardon (83-12-71) went one better in the subsequent qualifier, seeing off the challenge from David Dunn (80-8-72) and third placed Chris Murphy (88-15-73).

Rachel Batchelor (34) took top spot in the Ladies Eileen Martin Memorial, ahead of Pam Jones (32) and Jane Jones (31).

At Stocksfield , countback separated the top three in the Trail Trophy with Paul Rymer (78-12-66) declared overall winner. David Bell (71-5-66) just missed out despite recording the lowest gross, as did third placed John Dickinson (84-18-66).

Bell (34) again had to settle for second spot in the Fred Punshon competition, finishing just behind champion Fred Johnson (35) but ahead of third placed David Byerley (33).

The Lowdon Tankards was won by the pairing of Phil Armstrong and Neil McDiarmid (77-13-64). Second was Byerley and John Steventon (79-13.6-65.4) with Neil Henderson and Roger Jones (75-8.8-66.2) third.

The fourth medal contested by the ladies was another close affair with the lowest gross score helping Brenda Mills (102-20-82) to glory ahead of Carole Smith (107-25-82) and Jen Langrish (103-21-82).

A busy bank holiday weekend at Tynedale saw the hosting of the Lee Cup qualifier, with Michael Stonehouse (83-14-69) finishing top of the pile. Gary Brown (88-18-70) and Edwin Bell (84-13-71) made up the top three with the other qualifiers: Jeff Glenwright (90-18-72), Terry Lee (89-16-73), Graeme Halkerston (83-10-73), Trevor Hodge (86-12-74) and Martin Lamb (81-7-74).

The mixed doubles Bellingham Cup was also contested with Stephen Plemper jnr and Linda Murray (72.5) seeing off the competition to occupy top spot. Second was Bell and Joyce Wood (74) who edged out third placed William Bates and Rita Barber (74) on countback.

In the ladies’ section, Angela Gilhepsy’s score of 37 stableford points saw her lift the Tynedale Cup ahead of Sheila Newman (36) and Barber (31).

With the best gross, Trevor Jackson (71-7-64) won Category One of the May Medal at Haltwhistle . Neil Birkett (78-13-65) was second and Phil Thompson (75-6-69) third.

Ivan Hepple (90-21-69) won Category Two, ahead of Gavin Mitchell (93-20-73) and John Tweddle (92-19-73).

Division One of the monthly medal at Hexham was won by Jonathan Arnott (69-2-67) with Ian Robinson (78-9-69) and Michael Inglis (75-6-69) battling it out for second spot.

Peter Smithson (82-16-66) won Division Two, with Martin Hassett (92-23-69) second and Geoffrey Harrison (89-18-71) third.

A prolific winner at Alston Moor , Yung Me Butterworth (90-19-71) stormed the ladies’ monthly medal to finish well in front of captain Anne Parkin (105-25-80) and Anne Howard (110-29-81).

The Whyte & Mackay competition was won by Gary Osborne (87-19-68) ahead of Gordon Cameron (85-13-72) and Paul Rymer (87-12-75).