Habib's super summer

Willow Valley’s Habib Khan has enjoyed a red-hot summer. He shot a sizzling 62 to equal the course record at Elland as he lifted the Lightcliffe Tankard and the Halifax-Huddersfield Union's junior stroke play championship. Khan had the best gross score and a winning margin of three over his union junior side foursomes partner George Hanson (Crosland Heath). The record had been set in 2006 by Edward Battye, who was at the championship supporting his son and was among the first to congratulate Khan on his achievement. Khan birdied four of his opening seven holes to reach the turn in three-under-par 30 and came back in 32 with two birdies and one dropped shot. His plus-three handicap meant the Lightcliffe Trophy for the best 18-hole nett score went to Brighdy Connors, of Huddersfield, who shot an excellent 77 off 13 for a 64. She edged Blake Drury, of Lightcliffe, by one after he had carded a nett 65 off his handicap of 10. Crosland Heath's Jack Hampshaw, who this summer has joined Khan and Hanson in the ranks of Halifax-Huddersfield's senior side, won the prize for nearest the pin on the 9th with the award for nearest the pin on 11 going to Crow Nest Park's Harry Bottomley. These prizes were donated by Mark Hampshaw and the union's President, Glynn Mellor, a member at Elland. A tremendous round of 64 nett saw Bradley Park's Harris Barnes win the Bradley Park Junior Open on his home course.

Meanwhile in the Fulford Junior Open Khan cemented his prospects of a place in the Justin Rose Finals in Portugal. He carded the best gross of four-under-par 68 at Fulford, having shot a magnificent five-under-par 67 at Woodhall Spa.

Ganton’s Alfie Dacey shot a superb gross 78 for a nett round of 63 to win the Fulford junior open and put himself in line for a trip to Quinta do Lago, in the Algarve.

Dacey's Ganton clubmate Amy Staveley was leading girl at Fulford with a fine 74 off four handicap.

There will be 24 finalists from the gross competition this year (12 boys and 12 girls) in the Justin Rose event from October 31 to November 5 and six winners from the nett competition (three boys and three girls).

Pictured are Halifax-Huddersfield Union President, Glynn Mellor, Habib Khan, Edward Battye and Elland captain Stephen Gourley.