Greg Owen returned to Britain for the first time since the 2006 Hoylake Open Championship in last week's Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry - the event in which he recorded his only European Tour win at the Forest of Arden in 2003.
After a three-under-par opening round of 69 the 36-year-old recorded rounds of 76, 71 and 73 to finish with a share of 30th place.
This week Owen lines up alongside Oliver Wilson, who returns to action looking for that first tour win, in the Alfr
ed Dunhill Links Championship played over St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns courses.
He then returns to the United States for the final four tournaments of the year as the Nationwide Tour reaches its climax, secure in the knowledge that he has already reclaimed his PGA Tour card for 2009.
Meanwhile Sherwood Forest's Janet Collingham will be in the England Seniors team which will be looking a sixth successive Seniors' Home International crown when the annual round robin matches begin at Little Aston Golf Club near Birmingham this week.
l On the local clubs scene, Fred Marriott ran away with the top Division of Coxmoor's Summer Medal Finals on Saturday, returning a nett 65 off 11 to win by seven from James Rutter and John Woolley.
The day's best scratch round of 75 came from Martin Scothern.
In Division Two Tom Nelson took the first prize on a count back from Bob Evans, both carding nett 69.
Coxmoor ladies team of Pam Jordan, Judy Parker, Chris Hill and Kathryn Horberry lost one down to Rushcliffe in the Notts Ladies Inter Club Final held at Sherwood.
The final of the club's Mixed Greensome Knockout was won by Pete and Sue Colley with a 3 and 1 victory over Doug and Vicki Wilson.
l Geoff Betts needed a count back to win Rufford Park's Captain and Lady Captain's Day from Steve Asher, both with 37 points, one point better than third-placed Nick Johnson.
Jodie Peacock won the Ladies' Weekend Stableford with 38 points, four ahead of Emma Coddington.
l Over 500 primary school children in the Bolsover and District schools have recently enjoyed free golf coaching over the summer months courtesy of Big Lottery funding.
The after-school coaching has been delivered in 20 primary schools predominantly to year 5 pupils.
The best four boys and four girls in each school were then chosen to represent their school in a festival at a nearby golf club.
Nineteen schools entered the two summer festivals held at Bondhay and Shirland Golf Clubs.
The winning team from each of these events, Westhouses Primary School and Clowne Juniors, took part in a Ryder Cup style final and after some excellent golf by both teams, Westhouses clinched the trophy.
Bolsover schools' golf development co-ordinator Craig Pollard, commented: "The golf programme has brought young people to a sport they may not otherwise have ever had the chance to try.
"Many of them have not only enjoyed their experiences but also shown great potential if they choose to continue with the sport.
The full article contains 522 words and appears in Ashfield Chad newspaper.
