THE Culcheth-based Leigh Golf Club’s highly experienced and respected professional Andrew Baguley rolled back the years as he inspired his team to success in the Dunham Forest final – some 18 years after their previous success in the Manchester Alliance’s top knock-out competition.
Leigh beat Worsley 4-3 in the morning semi-finals to book their date in the afternoon final against Prestwich who accounted for debutants Leek Westwood by a similar margin.
Then Baguley, who was a key member of the successful 1992 side, set his team on track for victory as he beat Prestwich pro Mark Pearson 7/6 to give his team a lead they never lost.
Mark Garrod pulled Prestwich level with a 2/1 win over Steve Dagger but Mark Blinkhorn restored the Leigh lead with a 2/1 win over Chris Kearns and Dan Crook added another vital point with a 2-1 win over Phil Walsh.
A battling Prestwich reduced the arrears as John Hughes won by one hole against Stuart Harrison but Paul Sherwood bagged the vital fourth point with the match between Sean Blinkhorn and Barry Cuthbert left as a half as they played the 19th to see Leigh home by 4.5-2.5.
Pictured: the triumphant Leigh team.
