Top knock from Norton secures Seniors title

Beverley's Richard Norton lifted the East Riding Senior Championship for the first time after a stunning level par 72 around a tough Scarborough South Cliff layout. A stiff breeze on the cliff top, lightening fast greens and some devilish pin positions meant that scoring was difficult with only one sub 80 score recorded until the final few groups appeared over the home holes.

Richard had to wait until the 5th for his first par, having sandwiched two bogies between birdies at the 1st and 4th. Further birdies at 8 and 9 took him out in 34 and he played steady golf coming home with the only blemishes being a bogey at 12 and a frustrating dropped shot at the last as his rapid par putt slid agonisingly by (pictured below). Richard wondered whether that would prove costly, but he already knew he had beaten two of the leading contenders in playing partners Leigh Gawley (81) and Mark Lamb who finished second overall with his impressive 75.

Other notable scores were from home players Shaun Smith (78) and Jason Jones (79), the Champion's brother David Norton (79), Hessle's Phil Scott (79) and ERUGC Men's Team Captain Andy Lockwood (79).

Smith and Scott took divisions 1 and 2, whilst Beverley's Rod Shimwell returned to the winner's enclosure for the umpteenth time in the Senior Championship with another victory in the 70+ age category after an excellent gross 84.

In the nett categories, no-one got near East Riding Secretary John Illingworth's 69. A birdie at the 9th had the Cave Castle man out in 40 and he shrugged off an ugly 7 at the home hole to card an impressive gross 83 which many single figure players in the field would have happily signed for!   

ERUGC Secretary John Illingworth and Competition Secretary Dave Greenwood were pleased with the healthy entry of 70 players despite the rescheduling of the event from its original date in May. Dave thanked Scarborough South Cliff for the presentation of the course and their excellent hospitality throughout the day. A big thanks also to the sterling job done by starter Andy Pittaway and the help on the desk given by President Jonty Hall who later presented the prizes.

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