FRILFORD Heath’s junior membership has swelled by almost 60 per cent following an initiative supported by Eddie Pepperell.

The European Tour professional, from Abingdon, decided to return his sponsorship from Frilford, with the proviso it was spent on young golfers.

The club responded by appealing for youngsters who had little or no golfing experience, focusing on six local schools.

It was intended to create 24 free memberships, but with the scheme oversubscribed Frilford did not want to exclude anyone.

As a result, there are 51 new juniors who will receive a 12-month membership and six coaching sessions.

The new crop, who increase Frilford’s junior section to 130, met Pepperell last week at two open evenings.

The 25-year-old, who is back in action on tour in Morocco next week, was reluctant to take the credit, but is thrilled to see the response.

He said: “I don’t see it that I’ve made it possible in any way, shape or form.

“It’s the club that have helped that along and hopefully more juniors are going to be able to play.

“Any kids playing golf is great, but I want to help those who maybe don’t have the access.”

Jimmy James, Frilford’s general manager, said: “Rather than going through an interview process and delaying things, by bringing everyone on board it will generate a bigger buzz.

“I think it’s a fantastic initiative.

“There are so many people who don’t have a dabble at golf and Eddie’s opened the door to everyone.”

A FIELD of almost 90 players will take part in the Burford Pro-Am this weekend.

The 36-hole event starts at 8am, with a prize fund in excess of £2,000 on offer to professionals, who include Burford’s own Richard Talboys and Oxford’s Adam Wootton.

Spectators are welcome.

CLUB RESULTS.

SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE.

Section 1 .

Feldon Valley 1½ (2pts), Frilford Heath 1½ (2) (Feldon scores first): M Abbotts & G Paish lost to T Smith & L White 2 & 1, R Browne & W McCoombes bt R Langton & H Richardson 7 & 6, O Wildsmith & S Smith halved with O Tubb & J Smith.

Oxford City 2½ (3½), Tadmarton Heath ½ (½) (Oxford City scores first): C Marriott & G Reaney bt A Laird & B Phipps 7 & 5, P Higgins & R Furguson bt L Washbourne & J Burman 2 & 1, G Soave & A Higgins halved with J Smith & L Bullard.

Burford 1 (1), The Oxfordshire 2 (3) (Burford scores first): S Tanner & R Connor lost to I Forbes-Russell & P Green 4 & 3, J Wilks & J Simpson lost to A Stubbs & R Hampshire 2 holes, A Ashbury & J Lally bt J Cameron & R Longshaw 5 & 3.

Section 2.

Chiltern Forest 2 (3), Hadden Hill 1 (1) (Chiltern Forest scores first): N Trew-Smith & E Lloyd bt D Bevon & J Roper 3 & 2, B Phillips & G Wilkinson lost to M Partridge & R Perry 4 & 3, M Williams & S Welfare bt M Grootz & L Fuller 1 hole.

Section 3.

Badgemore Park 2 (3), The Springs 1 (1) (Badgemore Park scores first): C Miller & S Shurman lost to D Walker & G Walker 2 & 1, D Brown & F Kassam bt J Price & I Empson 3 & 2, B Travers & A Menear bt D Bowd & M Poynton 6 & 5.

NORTH OXFORD.

Ladies’ Medal 6 – Silver Div: 1 S Stewart 91-20=71. Bronze Div: 1 M Rhymes 94-21=73.

Eccles Williams (stableford): 1 M Tippett 40pts (cb), 2 L Horne 40, 3 P Barrow 37.

Midweek stableford: 1 C Hiles 37pts, 2 M Wharton 36 (cb), 3 R Titcombe 36.

Winter Challenge final: BP England & J Riley bt D Titcombe & D Morris 2 & 1.

Men’s match: Cotswolds 3, N Oxford 2.

OXFORD LADIES.

Stableford April 21: 1 J Tavinor 33pts, 2 G Chapman 31, 3 R Caunt 29.

Stableford & St. George’s Day Rosebowl: 1 H Pennick 37pts, 2 L Halsey 33, 3 S Sadler 31. Rosebowl winner: H Pennick.

WITNEY LAKES.

Ladies Wednesday April Medal: 1 W Murray 103-26=77, 2 V Pole 135-36=99, 3 L Forrest 139-36=103.

Men’s Findlay Construction April Stableford – Div 1: 1 P Read 39pts, 2 L Allmond 38, 3 S Keyes 38. Div 2: 1 S Hatton 40pts (cb), 2 R Dearman 40, 3 T Winstone 37.

FIVE STAR EVENTS.

Liz Harris Cup (at Tadmarton): 1 C Kerridge & B Bingham 44pts, 2 J Ormrod & S Powell 40 (cb), 3 F McKenna & G Darling 40. Best unplaced pair on front nine: M & S Southey 23pts. Back nine: G Coppock & C Rosser 20pts. Nearest the pins: C Kerridge, D Smith & K Heathcote.

OXFORD CITY.

Midweek Seniors 70+ stableford: 1 R Glover 33pts, 2 D Portman 32, 3 G Tasker 31 (cb).

Battle of Britain Trophy: 1 D Hamilton 39pts, 2 D Callaghan 38, 3 I Inness 36.

Hillman Trophy: Calcot Park 3, Oxford City 4.

Club match: Oxford City Seniors 6, The Wychwood 4.