THE FIRST Round draw for the 2003 Accrington Observer Golf Shield has been made.

A total of 177 players have entered the annual singles matchplay knock-out and paid their £5 entry fee which, as always, sees deserving local charities benefit.

The numbers are down by around 40 from 2002 but Baxenden have only provided three entrants this time, well down on previous years.

Accrington Golf Club, with 90 competitors, provides more than half of the field while in contrast Whalley have just one man in the hat, former Tournament Secretary and committee stalwart Peter Shaw.

Among the names drawn out among the 49 First-Round matches was that of 2002 champion Gary Byrne, who will face a trip to Accrington to play S Duckworth with a place in the last 128 at stake.

His opponent in last year's final, which took place at Great Harwood, Rossendale's Barry Meager, has got a bye to the Second Round.

Also among the byes is 2001 winner Gary Walmsley, from Rishton, who missed out on the chance of attempting to defend his title last year after switching clubs to Wilpshire but has since re-joined Rishton.

This year's final will be held at Green Haworth on Sunday 7 September.

For the full draw, see this week's Observer