Somerset Golf Union

5th May 2024 Junior County Championships:

The Mendip GC

Entries open online 12.00am 3rd January 2024

CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY LINK

The U18 & U16 Boys County Championships are played over 36 holes.

The winning scores for each age group will be determined by the player's returning the lowest combined 36 hole gross total.

The Under 16 Championship will be decided on countback if scores are tied, the Under 18 Championship will be determined by playoff if required and conditions permit

If unable to be decided by play off the U18 Championship will be decided by countback.

An U16 can win both Championships but only one prize.

The Under 18 Champion will be eligible to represent self and Somerset in the EG National "County Junior Champion of Champions Tournament.

A nett przie will be awarded for the lowest nett score over 36 holes U16 & U18 age groups combined

AN ENTRANT FOR THE SOMERSET AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP MUST BE:

(Of Amateur Status as defined by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrew)

a) A member of a club affiliated to the Somerset Golf Union

b) Born in Somerset and is a member of an affiliated club in another County

c) Must not have taken part in a Golf Championship in another County or have played for another County in representative matches, including friendly matches, during the same calendar year.

d) If a member of 2 or more Somerset Golf Clubs, you may only represent 1 club during the calendar year in any Somerset Golf Union Championship or Somerset Golf Union Inter-Club Knockout

2023 Junior County Championships U18-U16

2023 RESULTS

FREDDIE TURNELL WIINER U18's & NOAH JOHES WINNER U16's

Pictured at the presentation made by Ian Poole County President & Junior Manager

U18s & U16s 36 Hole medal (Worlebury GC White tees)

The day after the King’s coronation and Somerset’s Junior boy golfers were able to play in sunny warm and relatively calm conditions for the 2023 Junior Championships at Worlebury. After heavy rain the day before it was a credit to the course management team that the course was well presented and provided a good test for the best junior boys in the County.

The U18s and U16s teed off at 8.30am for the first of their two rounds.

Eight of the top ranked ten boys in the county were included in a field of twenty-four so the competition was likely to be intense and so it transpired.

The last three groups included last year’s Junior county champion Dylan John (Saltford) , Ashton Wylie,(Wells) Thomas Richardson (The Mendip) , Alex Marshall (Farrington 2021 Champion) ,Theo Anderson-Gannon (Yeovil) and Freddie Turnell (Burnham & Berrow)

With the 18th to play Dylan and Theo were at +2, Ashton was a further shot adrift and Freddie stood at level par. The 18th is a testing hole with a blind second shot to the green. Dylan was unfortunate to find tree trouble from the tee and finished round 1 with a double. Theo managed a good par, Freddie played a great tee shot but came up short with his approach and finished with a 5.

So after round 1 Freddie held a 1 shot lead at +1 over Theo and a 3 shot lead over Dylan.

The highlight of the first round was Cameron Fear’s hole out from 185 yards on the first for an Eagle 2. He finished round 1 8 shots off the lead.

The second round got underway at 1.30pm. Dylan, Ashton and Theo played some impressive golf and got to within a couple of shots of Freddie. Freddie remained calm and played steady golf.

Ashton shot a second round 74 to finish at 9 over and set the club house target. Theo and Dylan finished in the penultimate group Dylan improved from the morning score with a solid 72, Theo shot a good 74 leaving the pair tied at 146 three better than Ashton.

Freddie stood on the 18th at 1 over and a 4-shot lead. His tee shot found the trees on the left , his provisional found the edge of the fairway. He managed to find his first ball and a chip out onto the fairway left him with a difficult approach which he played well coming up a little short of the green. An excellent chip and put resulted in a closing 5 and a total score of 143 and a 3 shot victory. Well done Freddie who will represent Somerset in the Champion of Champions at Woodall Spa later in the year.

In the U16 Championship there was a closely fought battle between last year’s U16 champion Troy Young from Worlebury and Noah Jones from Oak Manor. In round 1 Noah shot 77 with Troy a shot back on 77. The lead changed hands a couple of times during round 2 with some good play from both boys. Ultimately Noah improved his round 1 score by 1 securing a winning total of 153. Troy battled well but just came up short with a closing 79 and a total of 157.

The overall Net prize winner was Morgan Couch from Taunton & Pickeridge. He shot rounds of 79 and 80 for a gross total of 159 and a net score of 141.

2022 Farrington Park GC

Played over 36 holes at Farrington Park on Sunday 8th May the U18 & U16 County Championship was played on a hot sunny day and on a well presented and what proved to be a difficult challenge. Our thanks to Farrington Park for hosting this year’s event and to those who took park. Numbers were less than expected. Some of the better juniors were unavailable as fixture congestion continues.

Round 1

The morning only returned 4 scores below 80. Gross 79, (handicap 10) Troy Young (Worlebury GC) headed the field in the U16 Championship. Seeking back to back wins having won the U14 Championship the previous year.

U18's Dylan John (Saltford GC and Theo Anderson Gannon (Yeovil GC) both returned gross 76 but leading the U18 at lunch with the best round of the day Thomas Cavanan (Enmore Park GC) 73 gross. 3 over through 8, birdies at 9, 11 and 13. Dropped shots at 12 and 15, par birdie par finish. Solid golf, well played.

Round 2

On to the afternoon and for some 36 holes took its toll physically as golfer after golfer completed, collapsed in the corner, and went home to sleep! Scores were not good, with the odd exception.

In the Under 16 Championship our morning leader Troy Young, matched his am score and posted at 158 total. The score wasn't bettered and his back to back wins (U14's in 2021 & U16's 2022) is most promising going forward. Well done, Troy, keep it going. Runner up in the U14's, Oliver Tripp, (handicap 11) (Worlebury GC) on 84-81-165 gross.

Well done Troy.

Tom Cavavan's afternoon round started poorly and unfortunately for Tom did not improve, disappointed by his afternoon return, he will take many positives from his am 73 and learn from the less impressive afternoon effort.

Josh Mowat (Farrington Park GC) returned 75, out in 41 with doubles at 1 and 7, back in 34. The round included 2's at the 8th, 10th, and 15th! Josh finished on 159, as did Theo Anderson Gannon and Ashton Wylie (Wells GC)

On 158 last year's U16 & U18 Champion Alex Marshall (Farrington Park GC) came up short in his defence of the U18 Championship finishing 3rd overall.

A very popular runner up, (and good to see back on the course) Jackson Carey (Farrington Park GC) 80-77-157. Out first following a last minute entry, he remained to support all competitors to the very end.

The 2022 U18 Championship was eventually won with scores of 76-78-154 by Dylan John (Saltford GC) Dylan’s consistency and competitive edge was rewarded and well deserved.

A poor start R2, double's at 1 and 2 followed by another dropped shot at 3! A lesser golfer may have given up but not Dylan. Steady pars and a birdie at the 7th, out in 40.. Earlies gains at 11 and 12 providing the platform to see off the opposition. In winning the U18 event Dylan will get his change to represent the county in this year's National Finals. We all wish you well.

Congratulations Dylan

Dylan 's brother Dewi John was runner up in 2021 and unavailable this year because of school exams. So for now bragging rights sit with Dylan at home!

2021 Wells Golf Club

Played at Wells GC on Sunday 11th July the County Junior Championship finally got underway having been postponed due to lockdown at the beginning of the year and cancelled in 2020.

Combining age groups U16’s to U18’s the assembled field competed for 2 trophies as competition got underway at 8am.

Our thanks to all at Wells Golf Club for hosting the event espicially members for giving up tee time on a Sunday. The course was in fine condition and catering was available throughout the day.

At 8am the weather was good, by 3pm the rain swept in from the Southwest and by close of play the course was just about under water!

As the morning scores came in the early starters in the upper age groups had played well. Leading the field on level par, Alex Marshall (Farrington Park) an U16 who commanded top spot in the U16 and U18 championships. Dewi John (Saltford) on 72, Jackson Carey (Farrington Park) and Tom Canavan (Enmore Park) all remained in close contention as scoring became more difficult as the weather began to turn.

As the afternoon round got underway the temperature dropped considerably as light rain gave in to persistent rain and eventually torrential rain.

Credit where credit is due as Kyle Miller (Taunton & Pickeridge) Harry Selwyn (Clevedon) and Ashton Wylie (Wells) all improving on am returns. But no one was able to match Alex who commandingly stretched his lead in both age groups, winning by 5 clear shorts from Dewi.

A winning total of 70-74-144, best am and pm rounds, winning both U16 and U18 titles, a fine performance and a rising star!