HOME comforts helped Fulford Golf Club's Rob Moore soar to Thompson Trophy glory.

The one-handicapper shot a three-under par 69 on his own track to take the York Union of Golf Clubs' invitational title - contested by the area's scratch team players - by two shots from clubmate Mattie Heels and Malton & Norton GC's David Hague.

Moore had shot 79 and 82 in difficult conditions at the Hornsea Gutty the previous day but, with better weather, transformed his game to win the prestigious competition.

The trophy was donated by Mike Thompson, a long-standing member and former captain of Heworth who was secretary of the York Union for many years. He presented the trophy to the Union with the aim of all the area's scratch players competing for it on an annual basis.

Moore revealed he was a last minute entry to the event, having pestered the union's scratch team boss Russ Chilton for a place, and he said: "I played the previous day at Hornsea it wasn't the greatest - the weather changed a little but it was a surprise (to win). I texted Russ asking him to come down and play.

"I wasn't meant to be playing and here we are 69 shots later.

"They are all as important as each other - they still take winning - and I have never won it before. It's always good playing with your mates and it helps so I can't do any better.

"I remember walking down one of the first few holes saying to Rob Heath: 'I don't want a five on my scorecard today'. That never normally happens. I did have one on 13 but otherwise I was happy.

"I birdied two, six, nine, 11 and 18."

On his desire to hit a scratch handicap this season, Moore added: "That's what I need. I just want to crack on. It was a bit of surprise. It's hit and miss at the moment but I will just take it as it comes."

York Union president Martin Greaves added: "The Thompson Trophy is always played at Fulford. There were 24 players and we had a good selection of juniors as well as scratch players.

"It is a good chance for a get together and a good chat before the Inter-District Union matches start. The first is at Pike Hills against Teesside on Sunday."

Fulford's Damon Coulson, meanwhile, played all four days of the Irish Amateur Championship at Royal Dublin GC. Having to cope with testing conditions, the plus two handicapper hit or bettered the competition standard scratch score on each of the four rounds.

His score of 298 (75, 72, 75, 76) was good enough for tied 35th - 14 shots behind winner Gavin Moynihan, who picked up his second Irish Amateur crown.