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Dave wants Accy bragging rights

23/ 8/2007

DAVE Grimshaw is after bragging rights at Accrington Golf Club.

The Men's Observer Golf Shield final is set to be an all-Accrington affair with Dave already through and Accrington pairing Chris Nuttall and Dave Byrom facing each other in the other semi-final.

The final is at Rishton Golf Club on Sunday, September 2 and Dave is hoping the day will end with him being the top man at Accrington.

Dave, 48, is in his first Observer final and admits he only entered because the man who he could meet in the final persuaded him to give it another go.

Dave, who plays off six, said: "It is the first time I have entered it for about 12 years as I work in Liverpool and it is difficult to arrange matches.

"The last time I did, around 13 years ago, I reached the semi-finals.

"It was Dave Byrom who persuaded me to have another go this year and I said to him at the time, jokingly, 'see you in the final' but it could come true.

"Dave Byrom is one of my best friends and I play in Accrington's A team with Chris Nuttall so I don't mind who gets through between those two.

"There will be friendly banter and we will be all competing for the bragging rights at the club."

Dave, who beat former finalist Paul Swan in the quarter-final, has been playing golf for 34 years.

After a tough test against Paul he saw off Glyn Hargreaves in the semi-final, conqueror of last season's champion Paul Biggins.

"It was a really good game against Paul," said Baxenden Golf Club member Glyn, as the two clashed at Rossendale.

"He gave me five shots and he went one up early on. I got it back to two up with three to play and then he birdied the last hole to take it into extra holes.

"It was getting a bit tense as we went to the third extra hole but I was just glad to win it. Paul did look disappointed at the end but it was a good game."

Chris Nuttall, 19, had a hard fought clash with Ian Billington as their quarter-final clash went to the 19th hole before the teenager held his nerve. Dave Byrom overcame Andrew Nightingale in their last eight clash.