Sharkey and Luther on song

Jonathan Sharkey (Links, Newmarket) and Charlie Luther (Hertfordshire G&CC) each signed for a three-under-par 68 at North Weald to head qualifying for the East Region Championship.

The pair led a total of 20 players who made it through to the June 18-19 event at Essendon Country Club.

Twenty four hours earlier, Luther and Sharkey had finished second and third respectively in pre-qualifying for the Weston Homes Plc/Bishop’s Stortford Classic.

The duo took that fine form to North Weald with assistant pro Luther reeling off a bogey-free round. He made three birdies on the front nine before parring his way in from the turn.

Sharkey, assistant to his father John at Newmarket, had a different tale to tell as he found himself one-over-par at the halfway stage. But a superb burst of four birdies in five holes from the 12th saw him out in front alongside Luther.

James Gurry (GurryGolf.com) was the other player in the 68-strong entry to break par, shooting a one-under round of 70.

James Mynott (St Ives), Thomas Marsden (Knebworth), James Reynolds (Stanmore) and Fredryck Meikle (Leighton Buzzard) all shared fourth place at one-over-par.

The qualifying mark came at three-over, the score of Glen Kemble (Direct Golf), who brilliantly birdied the final two holes to battle through.