For the second time in ten years, when the trophy was first introduced, there are joint winners of the Harrogate and District Union of Golf Clubs Golfer-of-the-Year.

Events counting towards this award include Union Championships, Inter Club and Union Team Matches.

It comes as no surprise that one of the winners is 16 year-old Tom Hesketh of Oakdale. Tom has won numerous club and union competitions this season, and is to represent England Boys v Scotland this weekend.

The other receipient, sharing 305 points, is Chris Hughes of Ilkley. Chris won the prestigious Ogden Trophy in June, and is a regular member of the Harrogate Union team.

Third with 200 points is the popular Bedale player Roger Parry, and fourth with five points fewer is Carl Simpkin of Ripon City, the winner in 1999. Tom and Chris will be presented with the trophy at the Union's annual dinner at Pannal Golf Club on October 7.

Chris Hughes is hoping to forge a career on the professional circuit. Chris took up the game as a 10 year-old under the guidance of his father Nick.

He took him down to Ilkley Golf Club for the Saturday morning junior sessions.The young player quickly whittled his handicap down from 26 to 14.

It was in 1997 that Chris won his first major prize in an open competition by landing the President's Cup and the awards have come thick and fast since then.

Chris is currently the No 3 player in the Harrogate Union but he is looking to carve out a career for himself in the professional ranks.

There is plenty of encourage-ment for him when he reflects on the success of Ilkley members such as Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie and James Hepworth on the bigger stage.

COMMITTEE CUP: This competition is open to Union Executives, Vice Presidents, Past Presidents, Club Captains and Union Representatives. The format for this year's event was a full handicap stableford.

This year's winner at Oakdale was Paul Ridyard, the Otley Captain, with 41 points. One of Paul's playing partners was Ted Moore, the 1994 Union President, who donated the trophy during his year in office.

Ben Rhydding JUNIORS: Ben Rhydding Golf Club are looking to add another title to their list of honours, when they join other qualifiers in the North East final of The Sunday Telegraph Junior Team Golf Home Nations Championship at Harrogate Golf Club tomorrow, Friday.

The club's recent success in the Bradford and District Junior League has enabled them to progress into their regional final.

The reward for the winners and runners-up of the North East final is the chance to compete in the English National final staged at the historic Brocket Hall Golf Course on Monday, October 18. Brocket Hall Golf Course is part of the splendid 543 acre Brocket Hall estate.

The winners will representing England in the Home Nations Championship from December 4-7 at La Manga Club in Southern Spain.

ILKLEY Ladies: The Pearson Trophy and the Rombalds Trophy were played in almost gale-force winds and with the river rising it was a battle to just get round the course. The Pearson Trophy, an 18-hole stroke play competition for members with a handicap of 1-24, was won by Mrs Jackie Curtis. The Rombalds Trophy, for players with a handicap of 25 and above, was won by Mrs Adelina Lees.

Pearson Trophy - 1, Jackie Curtis, 98-20-78, after countback; 2, Liz Webster, 93-15-78, lowest gross after countback; 3, Dottie Cartwright, 97-19-78.

Rombalds Trophy - 1, Adelina Lees, 117-35-82; 2, Judy Palmer, 117-32-85; 3, Angela Harrison, 112-26-86, lowest gross.

On the previous day, in equally high winds but with the addition of driving rain showers the K Salver (Scratch Play) final saw mother and daughter Lyn and Lizzie Brand battle it out on the course for the honour of winning this prestigious Scratch Trophy. For the second year running Lizzie was victorious (five and four).

Gail Austin and Angela Harrison played through six rounds to reach the final of the Moor Cup, a match play competition off handicap. Gail, playing really well in the difficult conditions, beat Angela five and four.

COOKRIDGE HALL: With the summer season drawing a full handicap stableford, the penultimate qualifier for the Top Senior, three or four were still in the running for this award. Peter Walker's win, with 39 points will not quite do that for him. Two behind was Dave Roberts and third place was hotly contested by Colin Wilson and Tony Cotton who both achieved 36 points, but Colin pipped Tony, as he had a slightly better last six holes.