Booth targets North Region Championship double

Robert Booth has hit a rich vein of form as prepares to defend his PGA North Region Championship crown at Bolton Old Links next week.

The 33-year-old assistant professional at Crosland Heath has already clocked up six wins this season, including the Yorkshire Open at Howley Hall which he followed a day later by adding the Werneth pro-am to his list of achievements.

Booth, who finished third in the Leeds Cup at Cobble Hall in May, won the region's flagship event last year at Carus Green by a shot, and he's hoping to complete a rare double at Old Links in the 36-hole tournament on July 25-26 which will be preceded by a pro-am.

"I've only played the course once and that was some time ago but I can remember it was very challenging," he said.

"My goal this year is to try to win my card at the European Tour School.

"I've been encouraged by my boss and coach Richard Lambert, the head professional at Crosland Heath, who's been teaching me for nearly five years.

"My other target is to win the PGA North and Yorkshire PGA orders-of-merit," he added.

Bolton assistant professional and former Old Links junior Aaron Moon is also in the 107-strong line-up. He lost part of his right leg serving in the Marines when their armoured vehicle was struck by an explosive device in Afghanistan eight years ago.

There are also seven past winners in the field including Phil Archer, a member of the GB&I PGA Cup team who will face their American counterparts in the biennial match at Surrey's Foxhills resort on September 15-17.

The Birchwood player last won the North Region title back in 2002 before embarking on a European Tour career.

Other past champions apart from Booth include Snainton Golf Centre's Alex Belt, Chilli Dip Academy's Craig Corrigan, Royal Liverpool's Michael Jones, Penwortham's Ryan O'Neill and North Wales based Matthew Tottey.

Meanwhile, Renishaw Park's Michael Ramsden will be hoping to add the title to his Leeds Cup success.