Two Lancastrians and a Yorkshireman led the west qualifier for The Rock, the PGA North Region's flagship tournament, at Merseyside club Grange Park.
But Mike Ure was probably the most relieved player in the 96-strong field to book his place at Northumberland's Matfen Hall in August.
The Billingham professional, for more than two decades one of the most consistent performers based in the North East, eased through with a solid one-under-par 71.
Top shots on 70 were young guns Sean Owen, from Bolton Old Links, who fired five birdies on the home stretch; Bury's Sean Doherty, and 19-year-old Craig Fricker, from Doncaster club Styrrup Hall.
The Rock, one of four regional Order of Merit tournaments counting towards the end-of-season Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Royal Liverpool, will be staged for and eighth time at on August 25-27 at Matfen Hall and carries a £30,000 prize-fund - the biggest regional purse in the country.
And once again the curtain-raiser will be the hugely popular Rock Junior Festival.