Sibbles edged out in North Region play-off at Ilkley (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Sibbles edged out in North Region play-off at Ilkley

4:57pm Wednesday 18th April 2012 in News By Mike Crowther

Bradford Golf Club’s James Sibbles came second after play-off in the Skycaddie PGA North Region Assistants' Championship at Ilkley.

Westerhope rookie Ross Crowe, who is probably used to having his leg pulled about birdies, shot three of them in winning his first title since joining the pro ranks last September.

And the 24-year-old former Northumberland County player achieved it the hard way though a sudden-death play-off after his level-par 69 was matched by two others.

He kept his composure to prevail at the first extra hole with a par to beat Sibbles, while the third man in the group, Graham Neville, failed to arrive at the tee on time.

The Mere assistant had returned to his Manchester home thinking he’d no chance of winning then got stuck in a traffic trying to get back to the course.

Crowe, meanwhile, is hoping his victory will serve as a springboard to more success this year but he admits his priority is to study for his PGA exams.

“I might try for the EuroPro next season but that will depend on how my training is going,” he said.

His mentor is Westerhope boss Mike Nesbit, a double winner of the now defunct Northern Rock Tournament and PGA North Region Order of Merit.