COMPUTER graduate James Mason is poised to 'shut down' a mega-height of glory at Fulford Golf Club - but what a way end his connection.

The 21-year-old is currently celebrating not only a recall to the Yorkshire side but his capture of the North of England Youths' Open Championship at Middlesbrough Brass Castle course.

It was an achievement all the more remarkable in that Mason could not even pick up a golf club for more than two months after Easter after being struck down by glandular fever just as he was preparing to take his finals for a degree in mathematics and computer science.

But displaying tenacity, as well as talent, the Barnsley-born player bagged his degree and then celebrated with his king of the Brass Castle conquest in lifting the North of England crown.

Over the three days and four rounds - two are played on the final energy-draining day - Mason posted a seven-under-par 273 total, two ahead of his nearest rival James Freeman (Retford) and Rob Dinwiddie (Barnard Castle).

"I could not believe how debilitating glandular fever was. It just hit me and I could not do anything for two months," he recalled.

But in pursuit of the North of England crown the Fulford ace had rounds of 69 65 69 and 70, with the second-day 65 described by him as 'the best round' he has ever played.

"It was just one of those days where I seemed to have a birdie chance nearly every two or three holes. I never had a single bogey and I even missed the chance of getting anything on the two par five's. In terms of playing a good round it was certainly my best ever."

That scintillating North of England Youths' success at a course, where he missed the same title by one shot just a year earlier, followed on from lifting the club championship at both Fulford and Rotherham GC, where he is also a member.

But there's the rub. With the task of finding a job now that he is back at his Barnsley home, Mason conceded that he was more than likely to have to forego his membership at Fulford.

It will be a major wrench for the youngster, who has considered the Heslington-based club as his 'home' course since arriving at York University three years ago.

Sighed Mason: "It might just be a bit too far to travel now to Fulford so I will possibly have to give up my membership.

"It will be a blow because the course is brilliant. It's a fantastic lay-out and it's always in brilliant condition.

"The people there have been great with me too. I've had quite a lot of support, especially from club captain Jonathan Plaxton, who has given me a lot of sound advice."

MASON'S York Union of Golf Clubs' team-mates produced a sparkling run of form to eke out an 18-18 draw with Yorkshire Inter-District Union rivals Leeds at The York GC.

Hosts York were behind after the morning foursomes, trailing 8-4 with the successful York pairings being Neil Tailby and Chris Brownlee. They beat their rivals 3 and 2, while Jim Batt and Alistair Smith romped to an emphatic 6 and 4 triumph.

Then after losing the first four singles York looked to be heading for defeat. But they countered gallantly to win seven of the last eight encounters to draw level. The singles' successes were foursomes' victors Tailby, Batt, Smith and Brownlee, plus skipper Neil Thompson, Chris Watson and debutant Neil Ferguson.

Head start for Kirsty

IT was more than just a nodding acquaintance which glanced York golf professional Kirsty Taylor into the second half of the Weetabix British Open at Royal Lytham St Anne's.

Facing missing the cut she reached the last hole, where she hooked her tee shot wildly, the ball destined to land in a bush. However, the errant drive first crashed full off the head of a spectator to give Kirsty the decent lie for an approach to the green.

However, Kirsty's switch-back plight was given even more resonance when she discovered that the woman she had inadvertently hit was none other than her own sister-in-law Philippa. Talk about keeping it in the family.

After receiving treatment from the St John Ambulance corps for the bounce to her bonce, Philippa perked up and piped up that Kirsty needed a birdie to qualify. The York pro' hit a seven wood to within 15 feet and then holed the putt for the required three and a place in the last two rounds.

Declared a relieved Kirsty: "I definitely have her to thank for getting me in. It was a great header - any footballer would have been proud of it."

Updated: 08:44 Saturday, August 09, 2003