THE formula of success is again returning to York University mathematics and computer science student James Mason.

After concentrating on his studies at the Heslington campus, where he has another year to go on his degree course, the 20-year-old upcoming Fulford Golf Club star is back on the clubs scene and gradually slotting right into the groove.

Mason finished just one shot away from capturing the North England amateur youths' championship played over four rounds at Middlesbrough GC.

After successive level-par rounds of 70 - "the putts just would not drop" - Mason hoisted himself into a challenging position with a third round 68 followed by a storming final day seven-under-par round of 65.

Said Mason: "I had been playing well right through, only in the last two rounds I began to sink the putts.

"I got to the 17th hole on the final day at six under and one of the officials said someone was back in the clubhouse with seven-under.

"I knew I had to get something from the final two holes and managed to birdie the last. I honestly thought seven-under would win it."

Unfortunately for Mason, home-based Peter Richardson weighed in with a course record-equalling 64 to take the prestigious title with a total of 272, just one shot ahead of the Fulford star.

"However, I can't really be that disappointed after firing a 65 in the final round. My game has started to come back over the past month, though I haven't got my handicap down to what I would really like it," said Mason, who is playing off scratch.

As evidence of his storming form, Mason won the individual title in the Sheffield team championships and reached the fourth round of the English Amateur championship at Walton Heath.

Today he was appearing for Yorkshire in an inter-counties match against Cumbria, while tomorrow he heads for Oakdale to compete in the Oakdale Acorn event.

Mason was not alone in doing North Yorkshire proud at the North England championships.

Harrogate GC's Joe Buckley finished fifth on 276, while the under-17s' crown went to club-mate John Parry, who earlier in the summer won the Yorkshire Boys' under-16 trophy at Easingwold GC.

WREST all by Rastall could have been the cry at Kilnwick Percy GC's junior captain's day.

Captain Tom Rastall enjoyed a dream weekend.

He won the 18-hole medal for the junior captain's day salver and also the David Burrows trophy for the best gross. His net 69, gross 78, led the field from William Gowthorpe, second on net 70, and David Burrows, third on 72 on count-back from Toby Gowthorpe.

Kyle Mathers won the longest drive and the nearest the pin awards, but Rastall was back in the prizes when he took the 18-hole putting competition.

And there was no stopping the nine-handicapper. Less than a day later he won the August medal with a net 67 from Andy Kendall (69) and on count-back Neil Atkinson (70) from Les Clarkson (70) to have his handicap trimmed to eight.

Carol Kilford won the ladies medal from Iona Buckle and Linda Johnson with Joy Biggin bagging first place in the qualifier.

ALLERTHORPE Park GC will be the toast of the Pocklington and District Licensed Victuallers next month.

The courses is to host the LVA's am-am day, sponsored by Countryside Homes, on Wednesday, September 4. The event is a fourball team format for men, women or mixed teams. The entry fee is £70 per team and includes a two-course meal after play.

Players are reminded that all prize-winners will be asked to produce confirmation of their official club handicap. Further details from the club tel 01759 306686.

CATTERICK GC is readying itself for an invasion of the stars of the future next week when it hosts the English Golf Union's highly-rated Reid Trophy.

A total of 90 competitors under the age of 14 and from as far afield as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the cream of the British Isles' teens, will be competing.

The practice day on Wednesday, August 14, will be followed by two days of intense tournament play.

EASINGWOLD GC's charity pro-am tournament - the 22nd in its history - proved a great success as it attracted top tour professionals such as Gordon Brand and Kirsty Taylor.

The men's event was won by Ganton professional Gary Brown with a five-under-par 67.

Meanwhile, former Easingwold School teacher Dot Howell won the captain's prize with 37 points on a count-back over the last six holes.

FULFORD'S Kevin Miller (three handicap) and Bob Elliott (7) were Hull of anguish after they were beaten 3 and 2 by Wayne Bryant (8) and Martin Lill (2) in the fifth round of the Daily Mail national foursomes at Kirkella GC in Hull.

Meanwhile, club captain Mike Dale and Judy Jones, a former ladies captain, won the club's mixed greensome with 66.

SUE Rogerson was in dazzling form to win the first prize in Fulford GC Lady Captain's day event.

Playing off 27, she totalled a superb 49 stableford points, nine ahead of her nearest challenger. The upshot was her handicap being cut by five.

ACE in the hole was Malton and Norton GC's Mick Webster.

The 27-handicapper bagged his second hole-in-one when playing in a club outing to Bradford GC, where his three-wood shot landed in the cup at the 160-yards third hole.

YORK Union of Golf Clubs were left with a solitary point after their Yorkshire inter-district union league match against Leeds was called off because the Pike Hills course was water-logged.

Updated: 10:20 Tuesday, September 17, 2002