Richard Wheatley believes a consistent selection policy helped Bingley St Ives claim their first Bradford Union Scratch League title for 21 years.

The former professional, who is relishing his return to competitive amateur golf this year, played a key role in helping the club triumph.

St Ives have a wealth of talented players but opted to stick with the same core throughout the season of Wheatley, Terry Brushwood, Andy Town and Mark Evans, with youngster Jack Laybourne playing the main supporting role.

The strategy paid off as Bingley finished eight points clear of runners-up Cleckheaton to win their first crown since 1992.

Wheatley said: “We’ve tried to keep things as stable as possible and stick to the same players week in, week out. That way we were able to establish some momentum.

“Everyone has been rooting for everyone else and there’s been a real family atmosphere. We’ve really pulled each other along.”

St Ives laid down a marker with a stunning 8-0 victory at reigning champions Baildon early in the campaign.

It was the first step towards a remarkable whitewash – Bingley also won the home fixture 8-0 – over a side who had won five titles in the last seven years.

Wheatley, who claimed a 4&2 win over the experienced Ian Martin at Baildon, said: “I’ve never known anyone take 16 points off Baildon in one season – never in my life.

“They are always the ones to beat if you have serious title ambitions, so to get 16 points out of 16 against them was just awesome.

“I think it sent quite a big message out to the rest of the league.”

Wheatley tried his luck as a playing professional but injury and disillusionment with the EuroPro Tour saw him opt for a career change.

Pursuing his childhood dream, he qualified as a pilot and now flies planes for Ryan Air across various European routes from Leeds-Bradford Airport.

It means he has to fit his golf in around a busy work schedule but he is still playing to the high standard of a plus-one handicap.

He still needs to take pain-killers for the tendonitis in his wrist which plagued him as a professional but he has rediscovered his love for the game.

“It’s fun playing again and I’m very much enjoying it,” he said.

Bingley, who were competing along with Cleckheaton in the Yorkshire Division Two Championship at Hunley Hall today, are now eyeing a Bradford double this Sunday.

They are defending their Bradford Team Championship title at Woodhall Hills – a competition they won for the first time since 1987 last year at Keighley.

Brushwood, Town and Evans line up but Dane Bairstow, who has just returned to the amateur ranks, comes in for Wheatley.

Meanwhile, Bingley’s strength in depth was illustrated last week when youngster Henry Tetley came runner-up in the Cobble Hall Scratch at Leeds Golf Club.

He shot 70, 69 to end one shot behind winner Andrew Jones from Moortown.

Bradford’s James Flesher was sixth.