KELLY'S eye was well and truly in after one of the most dramatic finishes ever to the York amateur championship.

Fulford's Matthew Kelly finally prevailed out of no less than a magnificent seven players all tied on 149 shots after the 36-holes event at Forest Park GC.

Kelly was steadiness personified in the play-off to secure a nail-demolishing triumph and due reward for his continued involvement in the last 15 years of the York Union of Golf Clubs' prime championship.

After the morning round Kelly had chipped out a share of the early lead with Boothferry Park's Wayne Strutt, after both had enjoyed rounds of 72. Scarthingwell's Neil Thompson and James Duckett, also of Boothferry Park, were just one shot adrift on 73.

Duckett and Kelly were paired in the final match and when they arrived at the 18th green five players - Jonathan Plaxton (Fulford), David Holder (York), Robert Suddes (Easingwold), plus Thompson and Strutt - were already in the clubhouse tied on 149 awaiting what the two pace-setters would do.

With scores of 77 for Kelly and 76 for Duckett the seven-way play-off was ensured.

The tension grew almost intolerable as, at the last of the three extra holes, Holder had an eight-foot putt to force a sudden-death play-off with Kelly.

But the shot rimmed the cup and stayed out leaving one-handicapper Kelly to lift the trophy after being the only player to par all three play-off holes.

Each of the other six stars tied on 149 were awarded second place.

There was some consolation for Boothferry Park's Strutt. He had the best nett score of 67 to afford him the Seward Trophy ahead of Edward Nutt of The Oaks, with Matthew Anderson of Malton and Norton in third.

The best gross score was won by Fulford teenager Matthew Lord.

Updated: 11:07 Saturday, June 08, 2002