Shacklady aiming to master Sandburn again

The War of the Roses will be re-enacted next week when a strong Lancashire contigent cross the Pennines to face their old rivals in the PGA Yorkshire Masters at Sandburn Hall.

They will be led by defending champion David Shacklady whose confidence is riding high after an impressive start to a season in which he has set his sights on a fourth Michael Slater Memorial Order of Merit crown. 

He swept all before him last year with two titles and high finishes in all five ranking events. 

And he staged a grandstand finish at the scenic Vale of York club when he birdied the last two holes to deny fellow Lancastrian Grant Hamerton, from Pike Fold, by a shot. 

The 36-hole tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday, which has attracted a full field of 126 professionals, was upgraded to full regional status last season.

Shacklady, who represents Mossock Hall which is near his home town Ormskirk, said: "It's great to go back to a course where you've won, especially such a fine track as Sandburn. I'm happy with my season so far although I've been working hard on my putting which had gone a little off line recently." 

He can expect to come up against a formidable Yorkshire contingent headed by newly-crowned PGA North champion Alex Belt, attached to Snaiton Golf Centre; former Tour players Nick Ludwell, from Selby, who defends the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall in August; and ex-Manchester Open champion Ben Mason, who coaches at Waterfront Golf in Rotherham. 

Morpeth professional David Clark ended a barren run by taking the honours in the Hadrian Healthcare pro-am at Whickham last month, and along with Tees-side's Vincent Guest could lead the North East challenge.