Our 2019 winners!
Winners: Thorpe Hall GC
The finals of the BCCS National Junior Golf Knockout took place at Staverton Park, Daventry on 28 and 29 September. The winners were Thorpe Hall GC who beat West Lancs GC "A" team in a memorable final.
There were joint third places: West Lancs GC "B" and Exeter GC who couldn't be separated after a very tight third and fourth place match. Three "Sudden Death" extra holes were played and still the teams couldn't be separated, so with the weather worsening, a draw, and joint third place, was awarded to both clubs.
Runners: up West Lancs "A"
Joint third place: West Lancs "B" and Exeter GC
All the finalists
The weather stayed kind for us at the BCCS National Junior Golf Knockout Finals on the weekend of 28/29 September 2019. The semi-finals were played on Saturday and the finals and third and fourth place play-off took place on the Sunday, with the presentation straight after play.
All the team players and team managers were hosted by BCCS, and we all enjoyed a gala dinner on the Saturday evening, with about 50 attendees in all (team players, supporters, parents, siblings) and of course the prize presentation on Sunday afternoon.
In a very tight match, West Lancs “A” just overcame West Lancs “B” in the first semifinal, while the young team of Thorpe Hall overcame the very strong Exeter team.
West Lancs “A” team comprised Jason Renton (hcp 4), Ben Barton (13), Jack Ling (7) and Connor Broadfoot (5).
West Lancs “B” were represented by Maddie Raine (4), Jess Pindar (13), Michael Casey (12) and Jake Whalley-Grundy (7).
Thorpe Hall team comprised Ali Abbas-Haji (hcp 12), Ivy Neary (23), Luke King (3) and Emily Dixon (23).
Exeter were represented by Fred Bishop (0), Jack Parry (6), Max Parsons (2) and Ben Reynolds (4).
All the same players competed for their respective teams in the finals and third and fourth place play-off, and the (very) young Thorpe Hall team proved to be strong in their match against West Lancs “A”. All played their part, with some great golf on view from every corner, but Ivy had a particularly good match throwing par after par at the opposition. Thorpe Hall were worthy winners and I’m sure will be great ambassadors for the competition next year.
The third and fourth place play-off turned out to be a much closer affair, with West Lancs “B” and Exeter going at it hard. Never more than 1 or 2 holes in it, West Lancs birdied the 18th take it to a sudden death play-off. What followed next was some remarkable golf as the rain started, the 9th first extra hole was halved in par, the 18th second extra hole was halved with remarkable birdies from each side, and then the 9th third extra hole was again halved. At this point, with the rain cascading down, a draw was agreed and with honours even, the teams and supporters went back to the clubhouse for the presentation.
A great weekend for the inaugural BCCS National Junior Golf Knockout and everybody concerned very keen to do well in the competition next year. Well done to you all. Thank you for your support and thank you to the parents and supporters for making it such a wonderful weekend, played in great spirit, with some wonderful shot making on a very interesting course. We can’t wait to come back next year!
Ian Restall
Tournament Organiser
