A still, hot, morning looked to provide great golfing conditions, but a feeling of trepidation hung in the air due to the fact it was to get much hotter throughout the next 36 holes; endurance as well as ability was the order of the day for the 2022 ERUGC Open Championship at Burstwick Country Golf. The maturing course was very well presented despite the ongoing drought
and the sprinkler and extra hand-watered greens were in excellent condition. The well bunkered course has many risk-reward holes, where straying out of position can easily cost a player a few shots. It provided a fair test for the Open Championship with only one player finishing under par for the 2 rounds.
First round leaders were Steve Dale (Ganstead) & Paul Lockwood (Driffield) with 2 under par 68’s. Followed by Jack Northgraves (Ganton) 69 and Alex Boyton ( Pro Cottingham) 70. Another six players were within 4 shots of the lead. Looking at the scores for most it was a mix of birdies and bogies or worse, which emphasised the character of the course. By the time the first afternoon group teed off a steady crosswind had appeared which although it did keep the temperature down, made it slightly harder for scoring.
Of the morning contenders most fell away with Chris Hyam (Cave Castle) 70 and Luke Bell (Burstwick) 70 posting two of the better afternoon scores. Ryan Gray (Driffield) added a 72 to his 71 for a total of 143 for 3rd place overall. Jamie Gill (Beverley & East Riding) added 71 to his mornings 72 to take 2nd place overall again with 143. Leading the professionals were in 1st place Alex Boyton (Cottingham) 70 & 73 = 143 and 2nd place Paul Mayoh (Hainsworth) with 72, 72 for a 144 total.
Best net prize was Andy Crawford (Cottingham) who added a Gross 72 to his earlier 77 for a net score of 139.
This left morning leader Paul Lockwood who with 7 birdies could afford a double bogey on the last to finish 7 shots clear. With a 68 68 total of 136 Paul wins both The Needler Trophy for the Open Championship and the George Ash Salver for the leading Amateur.
Well played Paul!
Overall Results
| Pos. | Name | Club | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Total |
| Champion | Paul Lockwood | Driffield | 68 | 68 | 136 |
| 2nd | Jamie Gill | Beverley | 72 | 71 | 143 |
| 3rd | Ryan Gray | Driffield | 71 | 72 | 143 |
| Best Net | Andy Crawford | Cottingham | 72 | 67 | 139 |
Leading Professionals
| Pos. | Name | Club | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Total |
| 1st | Alex Boyton | Cottingham | 73 | 70 | 143 |
| 2nd | Paul Mayoh | Hainsworth | 72 | 72 | 144 |
Full results can always be found on the East Riding page of Howdidido.
Many thanks go to Alan Key and his team at Burstwick Country Golf for hosting the event, the members for giving up their course for the day, the greens staff for the hard work in preparing the course and Bekky and the rest of the catering staff for the warm welcome.
ERUGC thanks to starters Howard Palmer & Andy Pittaway, Referee Steve Whiting, and President John IIlingworth - who again manned the desk throughout the day.
The next competition is the 36 hole Junior Championship and the new Junior Development Championship (18 hole Stableford for players with handicap index of 24.5 and above) to be held at Kilnwick Percy GC on Thursday the 11th of August 2022.
