Warwickshire Golf
JAMES & CLARK BECOME COUNTY CHAMPIONS
North Warwickshire Golf Club hosted the County Boys younger age group Championships on 22nd August where many of Warwickshires up and coming players gathered to try and begin their collection of County titles.
For many of the players this tournament would be their first County Championship experience, but for a few (even at this age) this event and venue would be well known and no doubt feel quite at home.
If you looked down the handicap list in the Under 14's line up there were a few notable favourites from the start but as we all know this doesn't always mean too much in an event such as this. However, knowledge of the course and past success at this venue can make a big difference as past Under 12's Champion Chanon James (Leamington & County) showed. After 9 holes Chanon was level par and 4 shots ahead of his closest rival Lucas Laurie (Robin Hood) and a further shot in front of Seb Cave (The Belfry) who was fresh from a great performance in the National Under 14's Championship, The Reid Trophy.
However, a double bogey on the par 4 10th hole, dropped Seb a little further afield as Chanon made a bogey to go to 1 over par and Lucas started his back nine on the attack with a par closely followed by back to back birdies taking him to within 1 shot of Chanon and the lead.
But then possibly the experience of winning a County title before came into play as on the 14th Chanon converted a birdie on the par 3 hole to take him back to level par, but Lucas could only manage a bogey which he followed with two further bogies on the 15th and 16th. Lucas then stepped off the bogey train showing his strength of character and temperament with a great birdie on the par 4 17th hole and closed off his round with a par on the last giving Lucas the Clubhouse lead on 75.
Even with a bogey on the 16th hole, Chanon James closed out his round finishing 1 over par and on a total of 72 beating Lucas by 3 shots and Seb Cave by 7. Looking back over the last number of years a gross 72 is by far the best score over 18 holes at North Warwickshire in this event earning Chanon James the Under 14's Championship title to join his Under 12's title he won in 2015. By winning this event Chanon goes forward to represent Warwickshire along with our Under 18 and Under 16 Champions in the Midland Junior Champions event which is being held at Coventry Golf Club on the 10th September. Very well done and good luck in the regional event Chanon!
In the Under 12's Championship we had a group of keen golfers lined up with their eyes on the prize. One of these players being our 2016 Under 12's Champion Sam Knowles (Walmley) who as well as returning his hard earned trophy was also hoping it would find its way back on the mantle piece later that evening. Unfortunately for Sam he couldn't quite repeat the feat this year but did finish in 3rd place for this age group. In 2nd place was Ryan Gavin (Coventry) scoring a commendable gross 94 off a 20 handicap. However, as Ryan is only 11 years old and turns 12 next July he does get another shot at this age group title next season!
Taking the Under 12's County Championship title for 2017 was The Warwickshire Golf and Country Clubs, Oliver Clark who returned a score 10 shots better than his rivals with an 84 - well done Oliver! Although this County title is our youngest Championship age group, Oliver now finds himself in great company with the past winners. On this note a couple of interesting bits of trivia for you for this Championship -
1: Unbelievably, over the last 6 years, this title has been won with a score of 84 5 out of 6 times!
2: Out of the 5 players who have won the Under 12's title during this time, they have gone on to win 5 other County titles, ranging from the U14's through to the Under 18 Championship and Matchplay
3: Bearing in mind this event is for Under 12's and using only the last 6 Champions names, 2 of them have already gone on to represent the County in successful Mens Midland League Teams!
Our Overall Nett prize winner for the day was a great performance by Charlie Rowledge (Shirley) who scored an impressive nett 66 (-5) and considering it was his first bigger event to play in he may well be one to keep an eye on! (The fantastic nett scores by Lucas Laurie of 64 (-7) and Chanon James 65 (-6) were rewarded with Gross prize vouchers)
Our thanks go again to everyone at North Warwickshire Golf Club for their hospitality and enthusiasm to continue to host this event and we look forward to next year!
Matt Nixon
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