With more than 150 players competing in the first major on the NGU calendar, Handyside was out early as he made a steady start with eight gross pars and a birdie on the eighth on the outward half.

However it was a different story for the five-handicapper on the way in as further birdies at the 13th and 15th holes were sandwiched between bogeys on the 10th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes.

After deciding to switch his tee time from later in the afternoon to the morning, the 21-year-old then had a nervous wait to see if his clubhouse lead would be overtaken.

Despite several quality players in the field, the more difficult windy afternoon conditions proved decisive as Handyside held on to finish one ahead of club-mate Dave Harkess.

David Clarke (67) completed a one-two-three for Kettering after beating Colin Cooke (Brampton Heath) to third spot on countback.

Handyside said: "I prefer to play in the mornings so the decision to switch with Mick Reid paid off because the wind picked up in the afternoon.

"I'm really pleased to clinch my first NGU competition. My dad Rod didn't win the Higgs Bowl. In fact he's never won any NGU event – so I'm already one up on him!"

Another first-time NGU winner is Rob Clayton after the 20-year-old picked up the prize for the best gross score following a round of level-par 69.

The Cold Ashby member did all his damage on the front nine as he picked up four strokes in his first eight holes.

Despite a few dropped shots on the back nine, Clayton finished two ahead of Wellingborough's Ryan Evans with Richard Brown and Sean Davis (both 72) in third and fourth respectively.