BRIAN Knapp literally went to the scaffold before driving in as North Oxford's new captain, writes MICHAEL KNOX.

Knowing he was involved in the building trade, club members constructed a 14-foot high scaffolding platform from which he was to take his official drive-in.

The seven-handicapper from Kidlington's elevation to captaincy has coincided with his retirement as clerk of works at Oxford University's land agents and accommodation office.

"So I should have plenty of time to devote to the club in the next 12 months," said Knapp, who was captain of Chesterton in 1989, two years before joining North Oxford.

Knapp, who played bowls for Oxfordshire before turning to golf 25 years ago, has chosen the Oxford Children's Hosptial as his charity for the year.

KIRTLINGTON'S three new captains - Tim Cooke (men), Maggie McKillop (ladies) and Geoff Crompton (seniors) - all successfully launched their official drives down the first fairway.

A nine-hole stableford competition was won for the ladies by Michela Evans (19 pts) and for the men by Pete Fisher (21).

STUART Allen and Luke Thorpe became the only pair to defeat the captain and assistant pro Tim Reynolds and Stewart Davies in this year's competition at Chipping Norton, winning 3 & 2.