Duncan rises to PGA Lancs challenge

Andy Duncan has been appointed The PGA in Lancashire secretary following the resignation of Jeff Mathews who is concentrating on his playing career.

The 52-year-old professional at Oak Royal Golf and Country Club established a healthy fixture list last year which his successor hopes to expand.

"I helped Jeff out as tournament controller at the bigger events so I'm familiar with the procedures," said Duncan, who has gleaned a lot of experience working with PGA North.

"Six pro-ams have been confirmed already and we are negotiating two more. There will be half-a-dozen players' tour fixtures in addition to the established county stroke and matchplay championships.

"We are also planning to arrange a fourball, which would become the third major, and a series of friendly fourballs. All told, we are confident of producing a 22-event calendar which will cater for all our members including those who don't play so often but enjoy a day out."

Duncan, 41, has been a professional for 25 years and has pledged to support the newly-formed Lancashire County Golf Partnership which is tasked with trying to get more people into golf.

He teed off his career at Castle Hawk, where he later returned as pro, and also worked at Bolton Open and Myerscough College.

More recently he has been concentrating on his own internet company which is a conduit for his club building and shaft fitting business from his Lancaster home.

"The Lancashire job is a challenge and I want to build a strong product which is something I can sell to sponsors. I also want our professionals to regard our association as a club with a big emphasis on the social aspect."