Tom Smith was in superb form to win his third successive North Yorkshire and South Durham Championship at a windswept Castle Eden.
Easglescliffe Golf Club’s Smith, who partnered Sam Donald to the Northumberland and Durham Inter-County Foursomes title at Consett earlier this season, made light of the conditions with a first round 66 to lead at four under-par.
He was heading for a second round 65, only to bogey the last two holes, but his 67 was more than good enough for a hat-trick of NYSD titles – the first time any player has achieved one – as he finished five shots clear on 133.
Brancepeth’s James Glenn shot rounds of 71 and 67 to finish runner-up with Billingham’s Brad Hildreth third with after rounds of 67 and 72.
