Twelve months on from winning his third ERUGC Open title, Filey's Fraser Kelley (above left) produced two excellent sub par rounds at Scarborough North Cliff to claim his fourth Needler Trophy. He now sits alongside father Mike on the Union's roll of honour who also won this event four times between 1969 and 1981.
A sparkling 67 in round one, which included six birdies and only one dropped shot at the short 15th, had the defending champion out in front by 3 shots at lunch from the in form Amateur Champion Matty Raybould from Hornsea. Home player Paul Harper was a shot further back with his 71, whilst Tom Duck (SNC) and Leigh Gawley (Hornsea) lurked at level par.
The afternoon round did not start very well for the leader, who racked up four putts at the long second to drop two shots. Amazingly, Fraser proceded to put that behind him and go bogey free for the remaining 16 holes to card a 71 for an unassailable total of 138 (6 under par).
Matty (pictured below) had a mixed afternoon and his double bogey at the 12th effectively cost him a late run at the title. He settled for third place with his 144 total.
Harper, Duck and Gawley fell away with 79s and 80 respectively, but the biggest move came from Bridlington's Olly Beckett who had seven birdies in his afternoon 68 to finish runner up, just three shots behind Fraser.
Blake Ellison (pro) put together two solid rounds to finish 4th, three ahead of a log jam of players on 144 - Jack Clark (Ganstead), Warren Burns (Hessle) and Rees Brown (Hornsea).
Olly Beckett (top photo right) duly picked up the George Ash Salver for the leading amateur. Both trophies were presented by ERUGC President Dave Greenwood (centre).
Ross Giblin of Hessle took the best nett prize for his 144 total.
Big thanks to Ian Jeffrey for organising the event and manning the desk all day with ERUGC Secretary John Illingworth. Another 14 hour day ticked off for these two tireless Union ambassadors.
A big thanks to host club Scarborough North Cliff for their warm welcome, excellent hospitality and quality of the course.
Results
| ERUGC Open | ||||
| Player | Club | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Total |
| Fraser Kelley (Pro) | Filey | 67 | 71 | 138 |
| Olly Beckett | Bridlington | 73 | 68 | 141 |
| Matty Raybould | Hornsea | 70 | 74 | 144 |
| Blake Ellison (Pro) | unattached | 73 | 72 | 145 |
| Jack Clark | Ganstead | 76 | 72 | 148 |
| Warren Burns | Hessle | 73 | 75 | 148 |
| Rees Brown | Hornsea | 73 | 73 | 148 |
| Best nett * | ||||
| Ross Giblin | Hessle | 72 | 72 | 144 |
* (not in main prizes)
Full results on Golf Genius as always.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Press Secretary
