A GOLFER is aiming to complete a special Bradford Union double once again after achieving half of the feat for the third time.

Back in 2005, Rob Hillas was in the form of his life, capturing his second Amateur Strokeplay and first Open Championship in the same year.

On Sunday, he bagged the former by carding a 142 par score (70 in round one and 72 in round two) at his home course of Northcliffe Golf Club.

Hillas came through a tough field of 33 golfers, eventually edging past second-placed trio Zac Gartland, Oliver Tasker and Terry Brushwood who all scored 144 on the beautiful James Braid-designed 36-hole course.

Reacting to his victory, Hillas said: "It was a pretty good feeling at the weekend.

"I have been having banter with the other lads who said it has been a while since I won it, so it was good to get over the line and win it for the third time.

"It helped with it being at Northcliffe as I had that local knowledge of each hole. I knew I would have a chance when it was taking place there.

"I would have like to have got under par but I was happy with my two consistent scores.

"It was 20 years since my first one, so that was nice."

On Facebook, Northcliffe Golf Club were keen to praise their star man.

A post read: "Congratulations to our own Rob Hillas who won the Bradford & District Union of Golf Clubs Amateur Strokeplay at Northcliffe Golf Club.

"A great effort from the other Northcliffe lads with five of the top 10."

The 38-year-old finds it more difficult now than he did in his heyday but he puts that down to inactivity, not the competition he faces.

Hillas added: "It is slightly harder now because I don't play as often.

"It's a shame that the field has shrunk from 60 to around 30 over the years.

"There's still a lot of good golfers but the same depth is not there."

The 70th Bradford Open Championship gets underway at the start of next month at Bingley St Ives Golf Club on Sunday, July 3.

Following his Amateur Strokeplay win, the former Telegraph & Argus Golfer of the Year knows he has the game needed to take home the trophy for a second time.

Hillas added: "It has given me the confidence to go into the Bradford Open next month, knowing if I play well I have got a chance.

"It would be brilliant to the double again."

The Bradford Union are still looking for entries for their Open Championship.