IT'S seven up for Malton & Norton Golf Club's Emma Brown.

The Welham Park stalwart, one of the greatest amateur golfers of her generation, has won an impressive seventh York Union of Golf Clubs Ladies Championship.

Brown, who plays off +4, shot a gross 76 in difficult conditions at Kirkbymoorside GC to beat Fulford's Helen Barugh by two shots. Brown's club team-mate Judy Butler was six shots further back in third spot.

The victory puts her on a par with Vanessa Martin, who won the title every year between 1972 and 1978, and three behind Louise Secker, whose ten crowns came between 1982 and 1995.

Of her round, she said: "It was quite windy and there was a one-and-a-half hour delay for rain. The course had been flooded first thing so it was a battle for everyone. I lost a ball on the second - I clipped a tree and had a double bogey - and, from there, had a few bogeys and birdies after that.

"It was tough with the conditions but I am really pleased to have won it again. You always get to see lots of people you know and it is a good day out. The competition is getting harder every year. I didn't play in it for a few years because it always clashed with the European Team Championships so it is a nice chance to play in the event annually now.

"I will definitely have another go next year."

Easingwold's Jackie Hateley took the silver championship with a nett 74, while there was a one-two for Forest Park in the bronze championship. Linda Pepper's nett 71 was four shots too good for the rest of the field, which was headed by her Stockton-on-the-Forest colleague Carole Taylor.

Brown, meanwhile, is a key part of the Malton & Norton GC side that will go to Bishop Auckland on August 1 for the last 32 of the Mail on Sunday Classic. The team, which also includes Carol Simpson, Judy Butler and Pat Hague among others, knocked out Oakdale 4-1 in the last round.

The men's team, who have also reached the seventh round stage of the national competition, host Lincolnshire's Normanby Hall.