A BRACE of titles were graced by two-time York Amateur champion Matthew Kelly - though one was strictly unofficial.

In tandem with his capture of the York Union of Golf Clubs' glittering prize for the second year in succession - the 31-year-old Kelly could also boast the claim of being the 'proudest golfer in York'.

Kelly's dream double was achieved on his home course of Fulford Golf Club leaving him to enthuse: "I was chuffed last year when I won it, but to win it on my own course was that bit more special.

"To be honest I was quite emotional when the cup was presented to me. I was taken aback.

"To have won it once was great, but to have won it twice was the proudest moment of my time playing the game."

That was when he was 11 years old, introduced to the sport by his dad Dave, who now plays off a nine handicap. The new champion, who plays off one, also has a brother Richard, who is an avid golfer.

When Kelly won the York Open for the first time, he prevailed after a drama-drenched play-off involving himself and six other rivals.

It was not so close second time around, but there was still enough tension to have supported a high-wire.

Kelly had shot a five on the 17th hole bettered by a birdie three from his playing partner and nearest rival Adrian Lount of Pike Hills GC, so that as they stood on the tee of Fulford's par-five 18th and final hole both were tied on the same score.

Recalled Kelly: "Adrian hit a cracking drive, a massive drive, while I hit a decent tee-shot. But we both hit our approach shots to the green into a bunker with Adrian's being a little bit plugged.

"His next shot only took him to the rough just outside the brow of the bunker while I flipped mine down to the pin. I got a birdie four and Adrian took a six.

The drama was not quite over. While Kelly was safe in the clubhouse he then had to sweat it out as the final three-ball of Martin Brown (Pike Hills), Neil Thompson (Scarthingwell) and title-challenging James Duckett (Fulford) came home.

However, Kelly's grip on his second consecutive crown remained unbroken and the process worker who builds Portakabins at the eponymous York firm was able to celebrate his dream double capped by consistent rounds of 73 for a 146 total.

Two shots behind, in another coup for the host club, was Fulford's upcoming prospect Matthew Lord, whose superb afternoon round of 70 edged Lount into third place after both totalled 148. Duckett was fourth with York's Hugh Jackson fifth.

The morning round prize was won by Mick Rudd (Fulford), while the afternoon award went on count-back to Russ Chilton (Pike Hills) from Heworth's Jim Batt.

FORMER Heworth GC professional Neil Cheet-ham will launch a Hall-out challenge to hang on to a top prize on Monday.

That's when the 33-year-old Cheetham, who now plays out of the Barlborough Links club in Sheffield, will start the defence of his Northern Rock North-east Masters crown in the 54-hole tournament at Maften Hall.

To land the prestigious Professional Golfers' Asso-ciation north region title last year, Cheetham stormed through the field on the final day clawing back a five-shot deficit. It helped him go on to land the Delta Airlines PGA North region Order of Merit since when he has turned to the more demanding European Challenge tour.

Cheetham will face a stern challenge from his former North Yorkshire patch in Monday's championship.

Among the 149-strong field are Knaresborough GC duo Gary Vickers and Andrew Turner, Harrogate's Paul Johnson, Gary Brown of Ganton, and Christopher Smith from the Bridlington Links club.

tony.kelly@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 11:29 Saturday, June 07, 2003