Bradford is fast becoming known as a hotbed of golf and Yorkshire selectors are picking up on that fact - five local players are in the 12-man team to take on Derbyshire in a friendly at Erewash Valley on August 16.

Making his debut will be McDonalds shift manager Gareth Evans from Northcliffe, Shipley, who has yet to lose a match for Bradford this season in the Yorkshire Inter Union League.

Also in the Yorkshire team are Richard Wheatley (Bingley), Lee Shepherd (Cleckheaton), Simon Bell (Northcliffe) and Andy Town (Northcliffe). And remember, Darryl Berry (West Bradford), who announced last week that he is to soon turn professional, is normally a regular.

Town also makes his debut for Yorkshire - against Doncaster on Saturday, when he plays alongside locals Berry and Wheatley.

New-boy Evans is excited about being involved in the county scene. He said: "I always thought that I was in with a chance. I only lost the Bradford Open by a couple of shots and I won the Hawksworth Trophy at the beginning of the season."

It has been a fine season for Evans. He and Andy Town made history in May by becoming the first pair to retain the Bradford Union 36-hole Foursomes Strokeplay Championship.

"I do practice for hours and hours," added Evans. "There is a driving range near to my home and I am there most evenings. In fact I have been practising so much I have a sore wrist! But I make sure there is plenty of time for me. That is important.

"If I play well for Yorkshire, I will probably get into their coaching set-up which is really good."

But Evans has no ambition to join the professionals on tour. "The level you see on television is so much higher," he said. "Most of it is their short game. I don't think they strike the ball much better but they are so much better at chipping and putting."

Evans added: "But the golf scene in Bradford is excellent at the moment. I cannot remember a time when so many players were involved with the Yorkshire scene."

The situation also looks good for the future. Peter Delaney has had headaches selecting his junior squad for the Yorkshire Inter District Junior Team Championship at Bradford on August 28.

"It has been difficult to pick this team because there are so many good juniors. I am confident we will win the title on our home course," he said.

Teesside defend the junior trophy and other teams involved are Leeds, Harrogate, East Riding, Halifax- Huddersfield, Sheffield and York.

President of the Bradford Union, Richard Dracup, said: "Over the years, clubs have been putting in a lot of effort with juniors and this is why top-class golf in the Bradford area is in such a healthy state.

"Quite a few youngsters are now coming into the game who are not from golfing families. Golf is losing its elitism and that is a good thing as long as the eitiquette and discipline is maintained."

Bradford team to play in the Yorkshire Inter District Junior Team Championship: Andy Town (Northcliffe), Patrick Young (Northcliffe), Alistair Houldsworth (Keighley), Daniel Littlewood (Calverley), Chris Green (Cleckheaton), Joe Marshall (Keighley).