ERUGC u18s 24 – 12 Leeds Union u18s
Beverley & East Riding Golf Club
Sunday 24th May, 2026
The opening match of the 2026 Yorkshire Inter District Union (YIDU) championship for the East Riding took place at Beverley and East Riding Golf Club.
The glorious Westwood was bathed in hot sunshine and the cobalt blue of the East Riding glistened brightly amongst the golden yellow of the buttercups. The Westwood is a unique and much-loved area of Beverley. This common pastureland has been under the guardianship of the Pasture Masters for generations with permissions for leisure being granted in 1137.
The Scots claim to have invented golf, but it became popular in England in the 19th century, when the oldest inland club in Yorkshire opened on the Westwood. Originally based in Black Mill, it moved to its present site at Union Mill in 1906. Several notable locals have golfed the Westwood – none more so than the unsung Miss Bertha Mildred Thompson who won the Ladies Open Championship in 1905. The 13th Hull Batallion of the East Yorkshire Regiment were encamped on the Westwood in the First World War. The battle that was to ensue on this occasion was the visit of the Leeds Union Boys Team.
The players were greeted with warm sunshine and very little wind. The imposing Minster stood proudly on the skyline bouncing sunlight over the beautiful town. Dog walkers and locals scattered the Westwood and John Illingworth (pictured below) and Jonathan Clark did a fine job marshalling the locals on the 7th fairway.
The team talk from Team Manager Stuart Russell centred around improving in the foursomes and closing out games from winning positions. Our ‘13th man’ (the cows) were in good shape and were well briefed to put off the opposition.
Today’s guests were the Leeds Union who are a very good side. Always playing with etiquette and courtesy and well organised by Team Manager Paul Browning. The East Riding knew this would be a tough match and the players would have to deliver in order to succeed. The East Riding were without strong players in Callum Burns and Tom Hinks so, it was call ups and debuts for Louie Brookes and Luke Green. We have a very committed squad who give it their all when called on to do so.
Beverley is excellent for matchplay golf. But you must treat it with respect and learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of such a course. Birdies would have to be made. The key was to play aggressive and utilise the length off the tee we have in our team. And it worked!!
The East Riding had to take control of the foursomes, and it was imperative to get a win in the first match. The number one pairing of Seth Topham and George Walker got us underway in front of the imposing structures of the Racecourse and the Black Mill on the skyline which was dismantled in 1868.
Racing at Beverley officially started in 1690 for the social elite but feasts and races were prevalent in the 1400’s using the tan gallop circuit around the black mill. These races were a wild affair with locals from the tanning industries consuming way too much local ale. Other bloodthirsty sports such as cock fighting, ratting and bare-knuckle fighting were practised on the Westwood for betting in the Newbegin Pits to the right of the third green.
So to the golf, both pairings made a number of birdies but East Riding played solid foursomes golf against a strong Leeds pairing and teamwork, decisive shot selection and execution ensured that they won on the 17th green. A great start. Matches 2 and 3 continued in the same vein. Charles Wright and Luca Boyer playing excellent golf to win 3&2 on the 16th green and Ewan Mackenzie and Harry Earl fought hard and came from well behind to secure a half on the 18th green.
So, match 4 was now crucial to staying in control of the Foursomes and maintaining momentum. Luke Green and Ben Staveley made great birdies on the long 9th and short 18th to keep control of their match. They were never flustered and fought off a spirited fightback from Leeds to win on the 17th green. Many of the Leeds pairings could not effectively deal with the 9th hole, often hooking their drives towards the infamous Cobbler’s Well where exceedingly cold pure water once flowed abundantly. Tradition tells how a cobbler of Beverley, jealous of his wife, drowned her in this well, while in a mad drunken state, but he cheated the law by dying almost immediately of remorse and grief before he could face justice.
In match 5 Alfie Dacey and Jack Burt were always in control moving to 3 up after nine. Sensible, well-planned golf ensured they closed the match out on the 16th green. Some outstanding near level par golf was played in the final pairing with East Ridings Louie Brookes and Ethan Matthews winning in commanding fashion 5&4. It could’ve been a lot earlier too. A superb performance in the foursomes which has been an objective to achieve, and work has been done through the winter coaching to improve in this area. Lunch in the sunshine with the East Riding leading 11-1.
A commanding lead but still all to play for in the singles. Between sessions, advice was imparted to the team from the manager that the mindset was the score was 0-0 and you were playing for your 11 teammates and not individually. This team ethic combined with desire was to eventually pay off! So, it was back to the first tee for the singles and further duties for starter Andy Pittaway, fashionably shaded from the sunshine in his bucket hat.
The East Riding boys knew what they had to do. Led out in the singles by George Walker who was again playing Leeds strongest player in Joel O’Boyle. He marched up the first hole with purpose and fought to the very end but unfortunately succumbed on the 18th green.
Around the turn the momentum had moved towards Leeds and the East Riding were down in a lot of the matches. The heat was taking its toll, and it seemed a bit flat. The team manager positioned himself on the 12th hole to deliver encouraging words of support to each player as they passed through. The team stepped up a gear, and a lot of the team delivered wins from losing positions.
Charles Wright showed grit and determination to turn his match around, winning on the 17th green. Seth Topham, buoyed by nearly holing in one at the 8th (pictured below) continued to play solid golf and won on the 18th green as did Luca Boyer and Ethan Matthews.
So, it was left to Harry Earl in game 6 to decide the outcome of the match. He was always in control but after missing the green right on 16 he assessed himself a very unfortunate penalty stroke which caused him to lose the hole. He put this behind him and fired a 280 yard drive down the middle of the 17th fairway. A precise pitch shot and two putts ensured he was dormy playing the last. Absorbing the pressure, he parred the last to win his match and ensure a memorable victory for the East Riding Union.
The East Riding had now won the match and the middle order faltered slightly with 3 wins going towards the Leeds Union. However, an excellent win from Jack Burt (2&1) and a mention to Luke Green who secured an excellent half on his debut ensured that the East Riding Union capped of a commanding win.
The result was 24-12 to the East Riding Union which delivers a statement to the rest of the league. It was an excellent result in warm weather made possible by the commitment and desire shown by the lads.
Credit to the Leeds Union who always play with good etiquette respect to their opponents. It was nice to see a few spectators supporting the boys and a big thank you to the parents, starter Andy Pittaway, John Illingworth, Tom Elder, Jonathan Clark, Edward and Eileen Clark for their help and support on the day. President of Beverley, Derek Baugh was also out in support.
Team Manager, Stuart Russell was really pleased that the work carried out through the winter relayed into the foursomes which delivered an overwhelming morning win. We now head to Ganstead Park in June to welcome the Huddersfield and Halifax Union.
A big thank you to the Beverley and East Riding Golf Club who were the perfect hosts. The hospitality was excellent; the course was presented beautifully, and the staff and members went out of their way to ensure we received an excellent welcome.
Overall, a very enjoyable day!
Stuart Russell
Junior Team Manager
