EXCEPTIONAL hands were dealt at Fulford Golf Club, which hosted one of the stage one heats of the PartyPoker.com qualifying school for the 2007 PGA EuroPro Tour.

And there was a boost for Fulford - one of four venues hosting the event this week.

Home club member Ian Simpson was one of the qualifiers after he finished joint 31st after rounds of 78 and 73.

The York leg was won by Irishman Brendan McCarroll. The Ballyliffin GC professional finished at six-under par after an opening 66 was followed by a level-par 72.

He finished two shots clear of Tom Maddison of Castle Eden GC (67 73) and Paul Cormack (68 72) of the Inchmarlo Golf Centre.

That quartet are joined by 33 other qualifiers through to the final stage of qualifying to be held next week.

Said PGA EuroPro Tour managing director Eddie Hearn: "I'd like to thank Fulford for the fantastic facilities and superb condition of the course, which have helped make this such a successful start to the year."