County captain Cliff eyes successful season
Last updated 13:39, Thursday, 27 March 2008
COUNTY golf captain Cliff Heath has his eyes on the double as he prepares his players for the new season.
Players will shake off the ring rust when they take on the South of Scotland in their opening friendly match on Sunday at Carlisle’s Stony Holme Golf Club.
They then complete their preparations when they face a team of Cumbria’s professionals at Silloth on Solway on Saturday, April 12.
Heath, whose team has been boosted this season by the arrival of international golf star Gary Wolstenholme, is optimistic about Cumbria’s chances of success this season, which starts with a home clash against Lancashire at Seascale on May 10.
They have been working over the winter with former European Tour player Peter Mitchell, who has been running coaching sessions at Carlisle Driving Range.
Heath believes his team is good enough to challenge for both the Northern Counties League title, as well as the “Big Six” tournament on the Isle of Man.
He said: “We’ve had some successful get-togethers and it is going to be pretty competitive for places in the team this year. We’re very optimistic and I would love to see us win the double, which would be a first.”
Cumbria will be at full strength on Sunday, apart from new-signing Gary Wolstenholme, who is unavailable as he is playing in a tournament in Spain.
Heath insists he is keeping an open mind about his team plans and has called up Kirkby Lonsdale’s Mike Turner and Grange over Sands teenager James Oliphant for the first time for Sunday’s friendly.
Turner is a former professional, who has a handicap of plus 0.4, while the highly-rated Oliphant has come through the junior ranks, and is regarded as one for the future.
Sunday’s friendly is the first time a county game has been played at Stony Holme, which has been full refurbished after being destroyed by the Carlisle floods in January 2005.
Heath said: “People have raised their eyebrows that we are using the municipal course but we’re delighted to have the chance to play there.
“They have put in a lot of effort at Stony Holme and are thrilled at having the opportunity to host the game. We run 30 events a year and you have to look for other courses. If it is successful, we could use it again in the future.”
Cumbria v South of Scotland at Stony Holme, Carlisle, Sunday, March 30: Will Bowe (Workington), Simon Young (Workington), Nicky Bell (Carlisle), John Longcake (Silloth), Craig Morrow (Ulverston), Geoff Nixon (Brampton), Grant Little (Brampton), James Atkinson (Kendal), Mark Cowen (Workington), Mike Turner (Kirkby Lonsdale), James Oliphant (Grange over Sand), Martin Hand (Carlisle). Reserves: James Housby (Penrith) and Stephen Jopson (Carlisle).
Cumbria v The Professionals at Silloth on Solway , Saturday, April 12: Will Bowe (Workington), Simon Young (Workington), Nicky Bell (Carlisle), John Longcake (Silloth), Craig Morrow (Ulverston), Geoff Nixon (Brampton), Grant Little (Brampton), James Atkinson (Kendal), Andrew Millray (Windermere) , , Brian Rhodes (Barrow), Johnny Coates (Carlisle), Martin Hand (Carlisle). Reserves: Mike Turner (Kirkby Lonsdale) and Stephen Jobson (Carlisle)
