Cox pips them

Aaron Cox embarked on a birdie spree as he racked up a six-under-par 65 in the PGA North Members Tour at Stockport club Disley.

The 33-year-old Brisbane-born professional, who arrived in Britain in January last year and plays out of Blackwell Grange in Darlington, erred only once with a bogey at the third hole and never looked back.

“I reached the turn one-under and shot five-under 30 on the back nine,” he said.

“The putter worked well because I holed two 25-footers on the home stretch. I’ve had some good finishes so far this year.”

Shot of the day was an ace at the 15th hole by Ernie Foster, who is attached to Grange Fell in the Lake District.

“I’ve had 14 all told but I’ve not played a lot this year nor last year,” he admitted. “My short game had not been good but I’m starting to get into it again.”

Foster, 61, hit a wedge to the uphill 112-yard 15th and did not see the ball drop into the hole but knew it would have been close, he said. “It was the first time I’d played the course and found the greens difficult.”

He added: “I’m in a seniors’ competition at Ashton-in-Makerfield next week and giving Foxhills a miss. I’m intending to play more North Region events.”

LEADING SCORES:

65 Arron Cox (Blackwell Grange); 69 Matthew Kay (Ashton-under-Lyne), Craig Corrigan (Chilli Dip Academy), Colin Maroney (CM Power Golf), Lee Rooke (Royal St David’s); 70 Matthew Wright (Woodlands Driving Range), Tim Dykes (Penrith); 71 Graham Cox (Lymm), Mark Bradley (Chorley).