In one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the East Riding Open Championship, Fraser Kelley rolled back the years to record his third win to take the Needler Trophy at an immaculate Hessle Golf Club.
The morning scores showed how tough Hessle was going to be for the field of amateurs and professionals, with only one player breaking the par of 72.
Hull's Ben Rozenbroek led the way at lunchtime following his 71, putting him one ahead of ER Men's Team Manager Andy Lockwood on his home course. Two further back was Burstwick's Martin Fox, with Scarborough North Cliff's Paul Harper on 75. Others just about in touch were 2003 winner Blake Ellison, one of the pre event favourites Aaron Brettell and Charles Wright - all on 76. No sign of Fraser - stuck in a large log jam on 77.
Ben's one under card started with an incredible three 3s - a birdie at the 1st, a solid par at the tough second and an eagle at the long 3rd. Further birdies at 7 and 14 offset the bogies at 5 and 10, but dropped shots at 16 and 17 cut what might have been a more comanding lead at the halfway stage.
The afternoon round began with all eyes on the two leaders, Rozenbroek and Lockwood. Would either of them falter to let others into the frame?
Andy couldn't get his putter going and rued an early double bogey at the tough 4th and dropped further shots at 8, 12 and 17 to fall out of contention with a 77. Ben started slowly, but took advantage of the par 5s to hold his round together. A three putt from the front of the 15th green put him one over for the day and he parred in for a total of 145 to look a likely winner as Fox and Harper couldn't improve on their morning scores.
Hessle member Aaron Brettell had other ideas, coming from five shots back to shoot an impressive bogey free 69 to match Rozenbroek's two round total of 145. It could have been one better after a sublime chip at the last left him a slippy three foot putt for birdie. Many watching behind the home hole believed this was for the title, but it agonisingly slipped by and the talk of a play-off had begun.
Of the morning 77s, Ganton's Harry Mukerjea fell away with an 81, but had the consolation of winning the nett prize with his 68-72 effort. Tom Duck and Matty Raybould impreoved on their morning scores, but had too much ground to make up. That left one group coming down the 18th which included previous winners Ellison and Kelley.
Blake could only match his morning 76, whilst Kelley made up some ground going out in a bogey free 34. Another birdie at 11 got him to two over for the day, but a shot at the title seemed to have gone after a bogey at 13. A birdie at 16 from 20 feet, followed by a six footer for a three at 17 set up the thrilling finish to a magnificent day under the sun at Raywell. Fraser found the 18th in two and two putted for a third birdie on the spin to win by one, 25 years after first lifting the Needler Trophy. Having backed that up with another win in 2000, Fraser's three wins is now only one short of his father Mike who won four between 1969 and 1981.
Ben Rozenbroek (middle) and Aaron Brettell (right) shared the George Ash Salver for the leading amateur. Both trophies were presented by ERUGC President Jonty Hall (left).
Big thanks to Dave Greenwood for organising the event and to John Illingworth and Ian Jeffrey for covering the desk all day. Andy Pittaway and past President Edward Clark did a great job as starters for the day and players and officials alike praised Hessle Golf Club for their warm welcome, excellent hospitality and quality of the course.
| ERUGC Open | ||||
| Player | Club | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Total |
| Fraser Kelley (Pro) | Filey | 77 | 67 | 144 |
| Aaron Brettell | Hessle | 76 | 69 | 145 |
| Ben Rozenbroek | Hull | 71 | 74 | 145 |
| Andy Lockwood | Hessle | 72 | 77 | 149 |
| Tom Duck | Scarborough NC | 77 | 74 | 151 |
| Martin Fox | Burstwick | 74 | 77 | 151 |
| Best nett * | ||||
| Harry Mukerjea | Ganton | 68 | 72 | 140 |
| Best round * | ||||
| Andy Lockwood | Hessle | 72 |
* (not in main prizes)
Full results on howdidido as always.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Junior League Secretary
