INJURY-HIT Malton and Norton Golf Club professional Steve Robinson has been denied a tilt at finishing the season with a flourish.

The well-respected pro has never known a year like 2006 in which for the first time he has been laid low by not one, but two injuries.

He was first sidelined by an injury to his back and then a rap on the knee just as he was enjoying another eye-catching year of coaching and competition play.

His hope was that he would have recovered from the latest setback to make an impact next week in the City of Leeds Cup, one of the North Region PGA's most prestigious events.

The Leeds Cup boasts the distinction of being the oldest trophy in professional golf after it was originated in 1902.

The event returns to Cobble Hall on September 26-28 after an absence of 21 years and Robinson was eager to try to get his name on a trophy, whose inaugural winner was no less than the legendary Harry Vardon, the only golfer to have won six Open Championship titles.

The fact it was at Cobble Hall, one of Robinson's favourite courses, was also in his favour. But he has had to finally concede to the knee injury and withdraw from next week's event.

However, North Yorkshire's banner will be carried with pride in the 54-hole event, which opens with a pro-am on Monday.

Selby GC will boast a two-pronged challenge with former European Tour player and current Selby pro Nick Ludwell joined in the event by his assistant Marcus Maith.

Guy Wills, now the pro at the new Flaxby Park course on the road to Harrogate near the A1, is also vying for honours as are Fulford assistant Jamie Ashworth, Knaresborough's Andrew Turner, Gary Brown from Ganton and Filey's Fraser Kelly.

BRILLIANT scoring sealed the York Union of Golf Club's 2006 Team Championship crown for Malton and Norton.

The quartet of Tom Christie, Stuart Parkin, Elliott Burdett and Chris Malley rampaged around York GC to finish with a score no fewer than 15 shots better than their nearest rivals, Pike Hills, who were the defending champions.

Highlights of the Malton total included a morning 69 from Christie and a 67 in the afternoon by Parkin for an overall winning total of 575.

The full placings were: Malton and Norton 575, Pike Hills 590, York 596, Fulford 603, Scarthingwell 620, Heworth 621, Easingwold 621, The Oaks 622, Kirkbymoorside 627, Forest Park 633, Aldwark Manor 677, Forest of Galtres not recorded.