JAMES Curtis is one of the most respected PGA professionals in the area and he was the youngest-ever player to win his Cheshire county colours when he was a junior at Didsbury Golf Club.

He has had extensive professional experience at Chorlton and Northenden Golf Clubs as well as in Florida and at the Trafford Driving Range.

He has delivered more than 40,000 golf lessons to date and now he has decided to dedicate his skills to coaching full-time at Dunham Forest Golf Club.

He said: “I’ve moved to Dunham purely for the facilities which are ideal for coaching and club fitting.

“I have a swing studio with GC2 launch monitor, gasp swing system with the highest speed cameras, 250-yard grass driving range, short game coaching area, a 140-yard scoring zone hole and arguably one of the best courses in the area for a complete set of top-class facilities.

“Anyone looking to find out more or to book lessons can contact me on either 07791 995009 or email jamescurtispga@hotmail.com.”

Meanwhile, the draw has been made for another excellent entry to the Manchester and District Alliance’s Scratch Knock Out featuring professionals and top amateurs from the region aiming to reach finals day on April 10 at Ashton on Mersey Golf Club.

Graham Cox of Davenport Golf Club will be defending the main trophy and Chorlton’s big-hitting assistant pro Adam Hodkinson will be looking to retain the assistant pro’s trophy.

After the preliminary round has been played the last 32 will be in action in a seeded round one.

Preliminary round draw: 1 Chris Lea (Mellor and Townscliffe) v Jamie Chadwick (Stamford), 2 Jonny Wright (Denton) v Ollie Smith (Altrincham), 3 Andy Earlam (Oldham) v Gary Brown (Marple).

Round One: Graham Cox (Davenport) v winner of match one, Kris Andrews (Ashton on Mersey) v Colin Moroney, Ian Ridgway (Disley) v Gary Norcott (Stockport), Steve McCarthy (Lymm) v Andy Palmer (Chorley), Ben Thompson (Hazel Grove) v Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold), Martin Longshaw (Hindley Hall) v Craig Daggitt (Bramall Park), Dave Green (Dukinfield) v Ollie Pantoja (Ashton on Mersey), winner of match two v Phil Archer (Birchwood), Liam Burgess (Bramall Park) v Mark Hancock (Cheadle), Adam Hodkinson (Chorlton) v Tony Stevens (Davenport), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford) v Mike Boyle (Ashton under Lyne), Dave Brunton (Ringway) v winner of match three, Anthony Millar (Ellesmere) v Tom Bolton (Gatley), Mark Smith (Stamford) v Mark Pearson (Prestwich), Scott Jackson (Disley) v Graham Neville (Northenden).