David Houlding proved again that over 36 holes off the back tees there is no one better at the club for the fourth year running - winning the Scratch Cup with scores of 71 and 75 beating one of the newer members Tom Robertshaw by three shots after rounds of 77 and 72. The blue tees proved too tough for many but Stuart Rees had a fine nett 71 to take first place from Oliver Stephenson by one shot. The top 8 in the scratch cup qualified for the Club Championship matchplay, and it was great to see three of the juniors - Tom Gray, Marcus Shepherd and Tom Townsend qualifying.

Click here to see the draw for the Club Championship

Click here to see the draw for the Intermediate knockouts

On Tuesday I went to Hillside to see if Nick McCarthy could qualify for The Open having won the regional qualifying at Moortown. A 7am start on the back nine (Hillside's toughest) and unfortunately Nick got off to a poor start, playing the back nine in four over par - three shots just a little off line were all heavily punished. Nick battled on through the heat and after 12 holes of the afternoon round had got it back to level par, with the qualifying score looking likely to be 3 or 4 under. An errant tee shot on the 13th hole resulted in a lost ball and despite battling well over the closing holes that was it - with only 3 qualifying spots for St. Andrews, Nick finished in a tie for 16th place at 3 over par, six shots off qualifying. In summary 4 or 5 shots just a little off line and that's the difference, such are the fine lines of professional sport.

The ladies scratch team are topping their league with one match to go - it looks like all three ladies teams might all make the Yorkshire Interclub finals with the A team in 5th place and the B team in 6th place. Well done ladies.

Many of you will have seen the deer on the course recently, but Bob Banks snapped this picture of the baby fawn a few weeks ago whilst off the beaten track on the 4th hole. (Obviously looking for his partner's ball!!) - CUTE.

Its Open Sweepstake time, entry is £5 per player and players will be drawn on the Monday before The Open, enter in the Pro Shop. Will it be Rory again or will Jordan Spieth add the third major of the year to his collection. My tip is Paul Casey, he finished tied 3rd last time at St. Andrews and is on form having lost to Bubba last week in the States. Well that's the end of Paul Casey!!

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