We were gain indebted to the members and management of Taunton & Pickeridge for allowing us to host the 2018 Junior County Championship on their wonderful course. True to form, the whole of the club was very supportive and made for a memorable championship. In particular, than you Simon Stevenson for your support during the planning of the event, Geoff Mills and his team for preparing the course to the highest standard despit the poor growing conditions. In the Clubhouse we were wonderfully looked after by Debbie Hutt, with John a friendly host behind the bar, and Chef Russell and his kitchen and waiting staff for delicous food delivered with a friendly and efficient service. If anyone is looking for a Sunday Carvery in the Taunton area - head for the golf club!

Thanks also to Mike Hooper and Mark Langford for their assistance, and Steve Olive who was out on the course taking photographs - over 600 of them. The best ones are on display and can be viewed via the Gallery tab. Fantastic job Steve!

​

Onto the golf! Conditions were dry but we waited in vain for the sun to break through  to warm us up. In the morning round, Stanly Richardson put together the round of the day, returning with a score of 71. The competition was a qualifier for the Daily Telegraph tournament, and in 36 hole competitions, they take the scores for the first 18 holes for qualifying purposes. Stanly stole all of the glory, the best gross, and playing off a handicap of 10, the best nett. They also ask who had the best score for an Under 14 player - answer Stanly Richardson!

There were strong performances also from Clevedon's Charlie Goss and Ollie Brimfield, the defending Under 16 Champion, both returning scores of 74. A further shot behing was Freddy Turnell from Burnham & Berrow and Saltford's Louis Archer. Huxley Howell and Jacob  Gamble were also poised to strike for the lead.

Stanley was not able to match his morning round and slipped down the field, but still recorded the best nett score on the day. Charlie recorded another consistent round of 75, but Freddy, Ollie, Huxley and Jacob were not able to improve their morning scores. The best round of the afternoon came for Louis, a score of 72 gave a total of 147, and with it the Silver Medal, the Championship and the opportunity to compete for Somerset in the  national Champion of Champions competition later in the year.

All in all, another great competition that produced some fine golf and a deserving champion. In addition to the Club, we must also thanl our referees, spotters and all those who worked hard on the day.

2017 Winners

Conditions were set fare for the 2017 Junior County Championship, the sun was out and barely a drop of breeze. All set fair for an exciting competition with the added attraction of being able to witness the Somerset Girls Championship taking place.

Alfie Jubb set the pace in the morning round, coming in with a gross 75 and playing off a handicap of 9, matched by Liam O'Mara. Dylan Xanh and Alix Kew both finished with 76, but Dylan's included a 2 shot penalty for playing an incorrectly identified wrong ball.

The weather conditions deteriorated slightly for the afternoon round, the temperature dropped and the wind freshened. Scoring became slightly more difficult for some. With the lower handicappers going out at the back of the field, the leaderboard was changing as each group came in. Alfie could not maintain his earlier good form, shooting an 82 to finish in sixth place, ending with the second best nett score on the day with a nett total of 139. The best nett overall went to Kyle Miller who finised 5 better than handicap on 137. Excellent play from both boys.

In the gross competition, Jake Bovington improved by four shots to overtake Liam O'Mara and take the runners up spot. Ollie Brimfied from Mendip Spring took the Tommy Tulk Trophy for the Best Under 16 score, edging Alfie out on countback. The consistency of Dylan Xanh paid off with another fine round of 73 to take the Championship and the Silver Medal.

SGU President Paul Middleton presented the prizes, thanking the Enmore Park Club, both Members and Staff, and notably Club President Brian Puddy for their hospitality on the day.

A day to remember event though the level of entries was diaspointingly low.

2016 Junior & Under 16 Championship

Taylor Stote is crowned Junior Champion

In a thrilling final few holes of the day at Mendip Spring Golf Club, Taylor finally overhauled Kobe Adams to earn the title and silver medal. Dylan Xanh claims the Under 16 crown.

 A bright day but with a chilly breeze greeted the competitors at Mendip Spring. The Course Manager had been hard at work on Saturday to prepare the course and greens to the highest standards for the Championship. Scoring was not easy during the morning round which resulted in the CSS going up 2 to 73. Kobe Adams posted the best score of the round with a 74, with Taylor Stote on his shoulder just 2 shots behind. A further shot back was Farrington Parks' Louis Archer.

Condions improved a little in the afternoon, and the competition hotted up as Kobe and Taylor battled it out. Kobe put up strong resistance but was finally pipped after a birdie on 17 gave Taylor a one shot advantage. Both players managed a par on 18 and Taylor took the title in a match played with true spormanship in evidence all day.

Mendip Springs' Dylan Xanh stepped up to win the Under 16 Trophy to notch his 3rd consecutive title, having been Under 14 champion in 2014 and 2015. Lewis Coward from Long Sutton put in 2 consistent rounds to take the prize for best net score.

Junior Championship 2015

Saltford Golf Club - 26th April

Junior County Champion Jamie Li with SGU President Tommy Tulk

Saltford Golf Club provided a fine test of golf for the competitors in this years Junior County Championship. Course Manager Darren Moxon presented the course in great condition with the greens running fast and true. In the morning round, Kobe Adams from Taunton & Pickeridge set the early pace with an opening round of 70. Taylor Stote from Burnham & Berrow suffered a disappointing start and scored 10 on the opening par 5. However, he immediately bounced back with a birdie 2 at the second and was level par for the remainder of his round. A total of 76 was a great response and kept him very much in contention for the competition. In 2nd place at the halfway stage was Jamie Li from Bath GC with an opening 73. Huxley Howell opened his account with a gross 74 (net 67) on his home course.

As the 2nd round got underway, the spectators were wondering whether the in form pair of Jamie and Taylor would make a challenge and whether Kobe could hold on to his lead. In the end, both Jamie and Taylor came back with sub par rounds of 67 and 69 respectively, Jamie taking the title with  a 2 under par total of 140.

SGU President Tommy Tulk had presented a new trophy for the best score from a player under 16, and this was won by Taylor Stote with a total of 145.

Saltford Captain Brian Wheeler joined the presentation party to welcome the players and the SGU to Saltford. It was also nice to see the former SGU Barrie Lake for the afternoon round.

Our very grateful thanks to the members and staff of Saltford Golf Club, in particular Manager Mike Penn and Bar Manager Charmaine who was called into action to administer first aid to a young man who was feeling poorly. Also a very special thank you to Saltford Junior Organiser David Phillips who lent his considerable support to running the competition on the day,

Under 16 Trophy Winner Taylor Stote