Here we go, for the final time in 2019…
Woodhall Spa is always a fitting end to any season and there was certainly no disappointment this time around, especially for an IMG Academy Junior World Championships Qualifier!
Despite the recent rain, and the odd flooded hazard, both courses were in superb condition and offered two very different tests of golf. Many thanks to the club for having us and to Keith Haynes (My Golf Mind) for the one-to-one golf psychology sessions.
On a beautiful autumn day, the Bracken Course, with its undulating greens, provided the test on Day 1 and while the weather was a little more changeable on Day 2, it couldn’t possibly spoil the outstanding Hotchkin Course.
The Boys 13-14 Division came down to the final putt on the final green on Day 2, with Ryan Gavin and Theo Morris starting their rounds on The Hotchkin Course all square after matching 78s on the Bracken Course.
Coming to the 18th, Ryan was two shots in front; Theo made a brilliant birdie under pressure to post a 79, but Ryan held his nerve to tap in for a par, a second consecutive round of 78, and a 1-shot victory.
Both boys take their places on the 2020 BJGT Team heading out to San Diego. Paul Collington was placed 3rd over the two days.
The Girls 13-14 Division saw Jessica Brown put in a superb display over both days to take a hugely impressive win.
Rounds of 78 on Day 1, followed by a brilliant 74 (+1) on Day 2 rightly claimed top spot and the first place on the team. She will be joined by Ava Gifford-Moore who was very consistent, posting 87s each day to take the second spot on the team.
Shivani Karthikeyan staged a fantastic comeback round the Hotchkin course to claim the Girls 15-18 Division.
Having trailed Eva Pett by three shots after the Bracken Course, with rounds of 80 and 83, respectively, Shivani had four birdies on her way to a fine round of 75 (+2) round the Hotchkin Course, while Eva posted a final round of 81 to take second place.
Both girls will be heading out to California next year to represent the BJGT and the UK.
The Boys 15-18 Division was always going to be a hotly contested age group, although the heavy bursts of rain on the second day did keep the temperature down slightly.
Ben Allen used his home course advantage to secure his ticket for the 2020 event, having missed out in 2019.
Lying in second place after round one, having posted a round of 73 (+1), Ben fired two birdies in the last four holes on the Hotchkin Course to card a total of 77 and move to the top of the leader board. Teddy Hall also moved up a place from third after round one, to claim the second place on the BJGT Team with rounds of 74 and 79. Lucas Martin took the 3rd place.
This marks the end of the 2019 season, but with entries for the 2020 season opening on 31 October, we know that players are already looking forward to competing on the BJGT next year! Thank you all for your continued support, we’ll see you soon!
