Warwickshire Golf
MIDLAND U14 BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP (The 10 Counties)
Broughton Heath Golf Club – Saturday 31stAugust 2019
Team Selected:
Oliver Clark (Captain) (5) The Warwickshire
Sam Easterbrook (4) Wishaw
Ryan Gavin (5) Coventry
Lennon O’Neill-Knibbs (7) Hearsall
Joshua Gardner (11) Coventry
Louis Taylor (12) Ladbrook Park
A prestigious event in Team Warwickshire U14’s calendar is the “10 Counties” more formally known as the Midland Under 14 Boys’ Team Championship, held over 36 holes at Broughton Heath Golf Club, Derbyshire.
Broughton Heath is a testing 18-hole par 3 course measuring over 3,000 off the back tees, and with many holes at 200 yards and longer (the longest hole measures 225 yards) this a real test of ability, and in particular, short game skills.
Team Warwickshire fielded its best 6 players by handicap, with the best 5 gross scores to count in each round to determine the team trophy.
Throughout the day, a significant wind had to be accounted for, and the threat of rain was never far away. Against a par score of 54, our lads set out with great confidence.
Unfortunately, it became clear early on that this course was not to be taken lightly. Only LOUIS TAYLOR was able to card a nett score to handicap (66) in the morning round, and our best gross score was carded by LENNON O’NEILL-KNIBBS (65). It is fair to say that the whole team struggled with firm greens and the lack of a practice round before the competitive action. The rest of the team scored as follows: OLIVER CLARK (66), SAM EASTERBROOK (66), RYAN GAVIN (73) and JOSHUA GARDNER (74), leaving the team in a disappointing 9th place after the first round.
The best round of the morning was shot by Jake Plumb of Gog Magog Golf Club with a very impressive 4 over par 58.
Lunch gave us an opportunity to re-group, and all of the boys entered round 2 with a determination to post an improved score in the afternoon.
As if to reply with a reality check, the heavens then opened with a 15-minute downpour leaving many scrambling for cover. Ironically, the lads said that they welcomed the rain in the hope that it might calm the fiery greens!
The highlight of the afternoon competition has to be RYAN GAVIN posting a truly remarkable 1 over par 55 to take the prize for the low round of the afternoon, and indeed the lowest round of the entire competition. Well done RYAN for showing the character to come back a scarcely believable 18 shots better that the morning round!
The remainder of the team scored as follows: OLIVER CLARK (66), JOSHUA GARDNER (66), SAM EASTERBROOK (67), LENNON O’NEILL-KNIBBS (67), LOUIS TAYLOR (67).
Unfortunately, these efforts weren’t enough to drag Team Warwickshire significantly up the team table, with the lads finishing in 8th place overall.
Mention should go to JOSHUA GARDNER’s afternoon round over just one over handicap in difficult conditions, and LOUIS TAYLOR managing to receive a handicap cut of 0.6 for the day, which was an achievement in itself.
We should take some comfort in the fact that par 3 golf is very unforgiving, and anyone can have a bad day on the course. Our entire squad has made great strides this year in terms of reducing handicaps and becoming more accomplished golfers. They all show great promise for the future. We should also take note that 4 of this 10 counties team will be eligible to take part again next year. This year’s experience can only help us towards a higher finish next year. WELL DONE BOYS!
Simon Taylor
Warwickshire U14 Boys’ Team Manager
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