Luke Townhill finally closed out the 2022 Junior Matchplay Championship after his third trip down Hull's 18th hole in half an hour.
In the gathering gloom, Cottingham's Cooper Beck saw his five footer slide by on the 22nd hole of the final, allowing Ganton's Townhill to tap in and claim victory.
The day had started with two very evenly matched semi-finals as Cooper edged past Cottingham teammate Ewan MacKenzie, whilst Luke had to overcome Hull's Harry Mukerjea with his local knowledge.
After a nip and tuck match, Cooper finally saw off Ewan at the long 17th, whilst Luke closed out his semi-final a hole earlier with a neat up and down at the par 3 16th.
So ERUGC President and final referee John Illingworth set out at 2.40pm with the finalists unaware of what drama was to follow.
Cooper had looked set to go one up at the par five 12th after a colossal drive, but Luke had other ideas and made an improbable birdie from the trees near the chipping area in front of the clubhouse. The roles were reversed at the 14th as Beck squared the match with an up and down form 80 yards. Halves at 15 and 16 were witnessed by the growing crowd which now included Ewan and Harry who had completed their 3rd/4th playoff with Ewan emerging victorious at the 16th.
Luke's monster drive up 17 looked like being decisive as Cooper went from trees to bunker to rough short of the green. Luke's flier from the first cut airmailed the green and somehow Cooper even had a putt to win the hole which cruelly lipped out. The dreaded 'horseshoe' happened again at the 18th as Cooper's six footer for the match span out of the hole after a spectacular approach from the 12th fairway!
So back up the 19th and a fairly regulation half in five. The 20th saw Cooper have another chance to take the title, but the subtle break on Hull's home green again fooled the Cottingham youngster. Another regulation par from both players at the 21st brought them back down the 18th again as Junior Matchplay organiser Edward Clark and referee John Illingworth started to worry about how much daylight remained for the longest final in the event's 25 year history.
Another monster Townhill drive put him in the box seat as Beck again carved one onto the adjoining fairway. This time Cooper couldn't repeat his short iron of earlier and flew the green. Both players then felt the pressure as a succession of putts slid by, but Luke held his nerve to claim victory on his 38th hole of the day!
President John Illingworth praised all four players for the spirit in which the matches had been played and thanked Hull Golf Club for once again hosting one of the Union's prestige junior events. Luke received his trophy in front of dad Joe and proud grandfather Gordon.
All four players will team up again in 2023 and beyond in the ERUGC under 18s side and, judging by the quality of golf on show today, will be hard to beat as they tackle another YIDU campaign.
