Andrew’s rock solid

Andrew Minnikin is the new Northern Amateur Masters Champion – capturing the trophy in his first attempt.

The 37-year-old Alnmouth player decided to play at Rockliffe Hall after he won the British Civil Service Championship there last year and found he liked the Darlington layout so much.

He arrived at Hurworth on the back of successful defence of his Civil Service title, his 11th victory in 12 years – the only time he didn’t win it was when he was out action with a knee injury.

Minnikin shot rounds of 74 and 76 at Forest Pines to win the Civil Service title. At Rockliffe, he posted rounds of 73 and 69 – two superb scores on a course playing very long thanks to intermittent heavy rain.

That 69 included three birdies and a string of pars from the ninth – and only three bogeys all day.

“I holed a lot of putts from 10ft and kept it in play which you needed to on a course playing very long,” said Minnikin. “It’s a superb track and they ran the tournament really well. Naturally, I’m delighted to have won.”

Minnikin’s 142 total gave him a seven-shot margin of victory over runner-up Liam Duncan (Dunniker Park) who posted rounds of 74 and 75 as Castle Eden’s Cameron Wallace finished in third place with scores of 74 and 76.