Matchday 5 of the Inter District Union Mens League saw Sheffield come to town at a cloudy and cool Oaks Golf Club. 

The always strong team of Sheffield certainly imposed their dominance over the young York side, with hopes of home advantage not materialising from opening Oaks pair Tom Pyman and Harry Lee. Similarly for regular points winners George Robson and Ciaran Matthews, likewise Matt Hull and Matt Dolling. The sole win in the morning Foursomes came from Nathan Wilkinson and Marcus Brigham with a 4 & 3 win. To complete the pairings were Tom Kelly and Rob Hutton, debutant Matt Stephenson and Ben Plaxton.

Even with a 4 match / 8 point deficit at lunchtime, with 24 points on offer, the York lads knew that individually each matches could be won and a good start in the opening matches could provide some momentum.

Team Captain Andy Robson, couldn't ask for any more from his players when after 5 holes, York were only down in 3 matches. These played out for 2 early wins from Tom Pyman (5 & 4) and Harry Lee (4 & 3), then followed wins for George Robson (2 & 1) Rob Hutton (3 & 2). With a well deserved half from Ciaran Matthews on the 18th, being 1 down, 1 to play it was game on, the deficit was gone and the overall result was going to hinge on the other 7 matches.

3 of these matches could have gone either way going the full 18 holes, but from those of Nathan Wilkinson, Matt Stephenson and Marcus Brigham, only Marcus managed a point.

The Oaks once again provided excellent hospitality and during a superb Sunday Roast, Vice President Peter Smith congratulated Sheffield on their 12-24 points win.

Matchday 6 is Sunday 16th August at Saltburn by the Sea against Teesside. All supporters will be greatly appreciated.

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A hot and sunny morning at Heworth GC greeted the 34 Ladies competing in this years Championship with Past President and Heworth member Eddie Travis on Starters duties.

The pace was good as expected, with the first pair nicely fitting in behind the last 3 ball through Heworth's opening 11 holes and everyone round in time to get home for the Open Championship. With many either playing Heworth for the first time, or at least, not for sometime, the course's famous tight fairways and sneaky length pretty much had the beating of the field. Nonetheless, there were scores returned worthy of the 3 titles on offer, Bronze Trophy, the best nett in Division 2, Silver Trophy, best nett in Division 1 and the Ladies Champion being the best gross.

These went to Caroline Pugh (Scarthingwell - Nett 71) Evelyn Low (Fulford - Nett 69) and Carol Simpson (Malton & Norton - Gross 76) respectively. Carol collected her Trophy with much pleasure and applause from those present and expressed how delighted she was to win after 30 years of trying! Congratulations Carol you are a very popular and worthy Champion.

Our thanks to Heworth for their customary hospitality and the excellent condition of the course.

Sandburn Hall was the venue for Matchday 3 of the Men's IDU season against the strong East Riding Team and fine weather and a course in top condition lay ahead for the morning foursomes. With the day clashing with various York clubs', Club Championships, debuts were handed to Luke Hampshire and Robert Hutton from Fulford and returns to the team for Ben Plaxton, Nick Dyson and Rob Whiteley.

York's leading foursomes partnership of George Robson and Ciaran Matthews came up against an unstoppable force in Steve Uzzell and Jack Maxey. Recently returning from Professional to Amateur status, Uzzell and Yorkshire County player, Maxey, put on a show with 8 birdies to win 5 & 3. Many of the following matches were closer, but with ER edging out advantage in all but match 2 with Nathan Wilkinson and Nick Dyson clawing back a halved match point after being 2 down and 2 to play. Much of the players through the day commented on the frustration of the length of puts holed by the opposition and wondered when York's fortunes will change.

The afternoon faired better, but the momentum of the morning foursomes continued for ER and even though they were close affairs, the first win of the day came in match 4 with a 3 & 2 victory for Tom Kelly. Rob Hutton had the same result in his first singles outing and Matty Dolling continued his 100% singles record with a 2 up win. 

This coming Sunday, York travel to Knaresborough GC to play Harrogate and hope for those putts to start dropping!

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