Seth Topham completed the East Riding Junior strokeplay / matchplay double for the second time in three years to close out a busy week and successful season for the Ganton youngster.
Fresh from bringing home the winning point for Yorkshire in last week’s English County Finals at Goswick, Seth was taken to the last green twice in two thrilling matches.
In the first of the semi-finals, Seth took on Hull’s home hope Tom Hinks, hoping to emulate clubmate George Pepper who won last year. Nothing could separate them as they went up the 17th. Both boys dialled in their approaches to inside 6 feet, but only Seth holed to gain the upper hand.
Tom’s approach to the last chased onto the green from the left trees and settled around 5 feet from the hole. When Seth missed his own birdie putt from 18 feet, Tom had the chance to take his Ganton opponent up the 19th. His effort slipped agonisingly by (pictured below).
In the other semi final, it was an all Ganton affair with George Walker taking on Ewan Mackenzie. Ewan looked odds on to progress to the final when he went dormie 2 up. However, a poor tee shot into the trees at 17 cut the lead to one and then a three putt at the last took them back up the 19th.
This time it was George who had tree trouble, leaving Ewan to hole from 5 feet for par and a place in the final.
Ewan was out of the blocks quickly after lunch and found himself 3up in the final after 5 holes. Seth dug in though and won three holes on the spin around the turn to level proceedings.
He was then 1up playing the 13th, but a three whack from above the hole and then an iron for safety at 14 pulled out of bounds gifted the advantage back to Ewan again. A superb approach to 6 feet at the 15th and Ewan looked like a champion in waiting. Seth hit his wedge to 8 feet under pressure and then confidently holed for birdie to tie things up again when Ewan’s birdie putt dived low.
A messy half in four at 16 kept things level, before Seth unleashed a bomb up the long 17th. Ewan’s drive kicked horribly into the right rough and under a gorse bush from where he couldn’t salvage par. Another mammoth drive at 18 and Seth was literally and figuratively nearly home. A solid wedge to 15 feet allowed him the luxury of two putts for the title.
In the 3rd / 4th place playoff, George and Tom raced around in under two hours and also went to the home green. George prevailed 2up to take third spot.
Hull Golf Club Captain Mike Rooms welcomed everyone to Kirk Ella and congratulated all four players, before ERUGC President Alan Hutchinson (below) presented the vouchers and trophy.
A big thank you to Hull Golf Club for once again hosting all four rounds of the matchplay and to East Riding Past President Edward Clark who has run the tournament every year after giving the trophy in 1997 – his year of office.
Dave Norton and his greens staff presented the course in superb condition and the clubhouse staff looked after the players and spectators alike so royally over the long day.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Press Secretary
