NINE-YEAR-OLD Lewis George geared up for next month's Junior Golf World Championships by successfully defending his title at the Westminster Park Junior Open in Chester.

Lewis, of Wistaston, was again entered into the six-to-eight age category because he was eight as of August last year - and he made a triumphant return.

Lewis, who has a handicap of 25 and is also a member of Crewe's Wychwood Golf Club and Vale Royal Millennium Junior Golf Club in Northwich, made a steady start to the day and chalked up a good enough score over a nine-hole round to make the cut.

Lewis played the back nine with partners Eloise Healy and Daniel Lloyd and carded a final five-over-par score of 32, giving him a single stroke win ahead of Eloise.

Before Lewis heads to the junior championships in Pinehurst, North Carolina, he will turn his attention to the Golf Foundation Junior Champion-ships at Haigh Hall in Wigan on July 11, where he'll compete in the U13s section.

Just 48 hours later, the Wistaston Junior School pupil will compete in the Wee Wonders Regional Final, with a place in the grand final at St Andrews up for grabs. nFormer Alvaston Hall club captain Jim Whitlow won first prize of a three-day break for two after collecting 43 points with his partner from Wrexham Clays Golf Club, Charley Allen, at the Men's Senior Open.

As many as 32 teams representing 21 different clubs attended the annual event, sponsored by Warner Breaks and Cooper Buckley Transport.

Runners-up for the second year running after a card play-off with the winners were Tom Cox and Frank Bluestone, both from Brookfield Golf Club.

In third place with 42 points were Alvaston Hall's current captain Clive Copeman and his partner Trevor Rowland from Brookfield.

They pipped Mike Carless from Wolstanton Golf Club and Dave Morris of Alsager Golf Club who finished fourth.

Completing the prizewinners were Dave Long and Roger Newell from Wychwood Park with 41 points.

Meanwhile, at Alvaston's club championship handicap competition, Steve Roberts emerged as winner with a nett total of 118 (57, 61).

Alex Morrey was runner-up with 121 (63, 58).

The 'scratch' champion for the second year running was eight-handicapper Nick Morrey with a two-round score of 142 (74, 68).

Steve Roberts was runner-up with 144 (70,74).