Junior Championship

A fascinating day ended with a 4 hole play-off between Jamie Clare and Joe Fear, with Jamie clinching victory.

Somerset Golf Union Chairman Nigel Long (centre) and Tall Pines Captain Phil Lock with the prizewinners

(L to R) Richard Kippen (Enmore Park) Liam Copp (Farrington) Joe Fear (Tall Pines) Jamie Clare (Burnham & Berrow)

In a thrilling finish to this year's championship first round leader Jamie Clare from Burnham & Berrow was forced into a play-off after local player Joe Fear shot a best of the day 67 in the afternoon round. An excellent morning round of 68 had put Clare 3 shots clear of the field but a lack lustre performance in the afternoon allowed County Under 16 squad member Fear to pull level.

The play-off over 4 holes was followed by a large gallery and Clare immediately took the advantage with a birdie on the first play-off hole, the par 5 15th. Each player took bogey on the difficult par 3 16th after they had both missed the green. The 17th, another par 5, gave a birdie opportunity after both players had hit good long drives in the fairway. Clare took the initiative with a solid long iron onto the elevated green but Fear's ball found the bank at the front of the green. He played a good chip but was unable to convert the 6 ft putt and Clare went 2 shots up when he holed his return putt.

With both players making par at the last, the Trophy went to Clare with Fear a very worthy runner-up. Richard Kippen from Enmore Park took 3rd spot. The net winner was Liam Copp from Farrington with Andrew Ferris (Clevedon) and Will Howlett (Enmore Park) claiming the other net prizes.

Somerset Golf Union Chairman Nigel Long thanked Tall Pines for hosting the event and congratulated all the players on the spirit in which the tournament was played.