Lord and master

The 14-year Heworth Golf Club starlet is carving out a masterful niche for himself, not just on the junior circuit, but locally among the highly-competitive York adult circuit.

Matt was one of the star performers in the senior York Union of Golf Clubs' team, beaten 21-10 by their Leeds counterparts at Headingley.

Even though he was up against adult players twice his age and more, the Archbishop Holgate School pupil was far from over-awed in YUGC's defeat. Indeed, he only lost his singles on the 16th hole.

Yet just days earlier he was in the thick of junior golf, winning the Yorkshire Under-14s crown at Knaresborough GC and finishing sixth in the Under-16s' section.

Matt, an all-round sportsman, who cited golf as his number one driving passion, is well prepared for the rigours of playing among golfers twice his age.

"It's great experience playing against adults. It's a far tougher standard and they don't do you any favours, but that helps to toughen you up even more," said the teenager, who in mature fashion explained how he believed the game was as much about mental toughness as the ability to play.

Matt has certainly shown a talent for the game since he 'nagged' his dad Mike to take him for a round at the Swallow Hall circuit at Wheldrake when he was eight years old.

"I just took to it and ever since I've found it a great challenge to get round a course in as low a score as possible," said the six-handicapper.

For the past four years he has been a member at Heworth, where he has blossomed under the tuition of professional Steve Burdett.

And just this year he has broadened his competitive horizons by joining the Maciott Junior Tour for under-18 players, which has taken him to courses across the north.

His ambition, not surprisingly, is to be a professional, and his idol, equally not unexpected, is the 'Phenom' himself, Tiger Woods.

"He is just such a good role model, he is very tough mentally and has great technique," said a York youngster showing more than just a little of those qualities himself.

FROM the dumps to the peak Fulford GC will field their strongest team for many years on Wednesday.

That is when they will compete in the Yorkshire first division team championship over 36 holes at the Moortown course in Leeds.

Almost a year ago Fulford were relegated at Alwoodley, but just last month they confirmed their ascent to division one at Teesside GC.

Now with scratch players Neil Smith and Steve Mitchell in their ranks, plus James Mason, who plays off one, and Steve Dunn (3) they have genuine hopes of success at the higher level.

Meanwhile, Pam Withey was the winner of Fulford's David Melville Cup with a four-under-par 70 and not as originally printed.

A TREASURE trove of plunder was garnered by Toby Gowthorpe in the Kilnwick Percy junior captain's day.

Gowthorpe took the captain's medal salver and the David Burrows Trophy presented by the captain, as well as the leading prize in the Daily Telegraph/Centre Parcs' competition for a performance in which he had the lowest nett of 65 and best gross of 75. Just for good measure he was also nearest the pin on the 13th hole.

In second place in the event was Jordan McNeil (nett 67) with David Wilson third (nett 69).

In the August medal, which included the Golfers Trust Qualifier from which the Kilnwick winner will go to the regional final next spring, three players carded a top-score nett 64.

The winner on count-back was Eric Sologub ahead of David Stephenson in second and Chris Buckle third.

Carol Kilford led the ladies home with a nett 69 and David Wilson tops in the juniors on nett 66. The GT qualifier was won by Linda Johnson.

FULFORD'S Paul Foulger did not enjoy a happy return.

He had rounds of 78 and 79 on his former home course of Selby to finish joint eighth in the Yorkshire Seniors' championship played in driving rain. Joint winners on a day of high scoring were Ganton's Michael Kelley and Bernard Mellor (Sand Moor), both on 12-over-par 152.

EASINGWOLD are through to the last 16 of the Mail On Sunday national golf club classic with a 3-1 victory over visitors Newbiggin-by-the Sea.

The home ranks consisted of Stuart Rank, Carl Tyrer, Giles Haddaway and Steve Faulkner and comeback of the day was that of Rank. Three down with five to play he managed to win on the 18th hole.

Updated: 11:10 Saturday, August 11, 2001