DESPITE the interrupted play, sodden fairways and an abandoned first round, there was a glimpse of the future when Middlesbrough Golf Club welcomed some of the best young golfers in the country to Teesside.

And chiefs at Middlesbrough hope those who graced the Brass Castle track for one of the country’s biggest youth competitions will go on to have bright careers.

There were 125 golfers competing for the 43rd North of England Open Amateur Youth Championship when they gained valuable experience into what tournament golf can be like.

The first day’s play had to be abandoned – when local player Michael Hay was left frustrated because he was sitting on five under at the time – and the competition was reduced to three rounds.

It was Arron Edwards-Hill, who had made the long trip up from Chelmsford, Essex, that went onto win the prestigious title with a 205-shot total; two clear of Sam Broadhurst from Atherstone.

Over the years there have been numerous youngsters to have gone on from the world ranking championship to hit the tour scene, and Middlesbrough is proud to boast it on its calendar.

Geoff Wilson, the championship committee chairman, said: “The tournament is very important to Middlesbrough Golf Club as it puts the golf club at the forefront of youth golf globally and is eagerly looked forward to each year.

“As usual some of the golf played was excellent. It was especially great to see how well these players drive the ball and how far they all hit it.

“It is always difficult to forecast who will be the stars of the future from the event, but as always the experience gained here undoubtedly helps in their later development.”

It could have been a majorly disappointing week after all the planning when the rain came down constantly on the Tuesday, meaning the play had to be aborted. The tournament was then reduced to three rounds, with the cut after the first and 36 holes played on the Thursday.

Wilson said: “It was a success again apart from the washout on the first day when only 14 out of 125 players completed their round before we had to abandon play. We therefore cancelled those 14 scores and started again the next morning.

“This meant that qualifying would be based on one round only. After that, all went smoothly, and a worthy winner was produced. To win both the Under-18s title and the main event is most unusual.”

Edwards-Hill claimed that honour by shooting 71-66-66 while Hay, who was the unfortunate one on the abandoned day’s play, won the Bates Trophy by shooting 210. Hay, from Hunley Hall and Middlesbrough, was one of the top ranked North-East players to finish.

Boldon’s Rhys Thompson was third with his 208 total.

The nationally recognised event is open to players under the age of 23 and awards World Amateur Rankings points, which is why it has regularly attracted a number of Britain’s finest players.

During the last 42 years the stunning course on Brass Castle Lane has seen Masters champions Danny Willett, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam compete. Lyle actually won the tournament in 1977 when he played out of Hawkestone Park. Colin Montgomerie, Graeme Storm and Kenneth Ferrie have played to.

Wilson added: “Another good example of this is perhaps how Matthew Southgate played here. Matthew is now doing extremely well on the main European Tour and yet when he played a few years ago he did not stand out.”

LEADING SCORES AND SELECTED OTHERS

Arron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford) 203

Sam Broadhurst (Atherstone) 205

Rhys Thompson (Boldon) 207

Greg Holmes (Royal Birkdale) 208

Haiden Hussain (Kendleshire) 209

Julian Wood (Hallamshire) 209

Michael Hay (Hunley Hall) 210

Cameron Wallace (Castle Eden) 215

Christian Brown (Close House) 216

James Rogers (Rockliffe Hall) 216