Shacklady tops Manx hit parade

David Shacklady heads a 20-strong field battling for honours in the Manx Classic Pro-Am which starts at Ramsey on Friday.

The Mossock Hall professional is enjoying his most productive season in PGA North in more than two decades with victories in the Manchester Open and Yorkshire Masters which ensured an unprecedented third Michael Slater Order of Merit title.

And he hopes to mark his success by winning the Manx crown 10 years after he last prevailed in the 36-hole event which has an £11,500 prize fund.

Shacklady lost in a play-off last season to Lee Park’s Chris Crowder, who is not defending, but he can expect plenty of competition from the likes of Didsbury-attached Danny Wardrop.

He was second in a PGA Europro tournament at Lossiemouth club Moray Old Course in July and shared the spoils at Ramsey two years ago with Dean Wood’s David Wilcock who’s in contention again.

Host club professional Andy Dyson is among five local challengers plus Michael Brooks who succeeded Murray Crowe at Castletown before moving to Yorkshire club Malton & Norton.

Mike Vipond and Gary Hunter, his assistant at Douglas; Mount Murray’s Alyn Laing and Paul O’Reilly, from Peel, make up the island contingent.

For a full list of players click here.