Youngsters show class in Burhill Golf & Leisure Junior Trophy

The depth of young talent at the Burhill Golf & Leisure’s 10 venues was on full display, as the UK’s leading golf course owner and operator staged its inaugural BGL Junior Trophy.

Hosted by Hoebridge Golf Centre, Woking (www.hoebridgegc.co.uk), the new competition was free to enter and open to junior members from the 10 Burhill Golf & Leisure venues.

Twenty-six talented youngsters with handicaps of 24 and below competed for the honour of being the first BGL Junior Champion in a scratch strokeplay format played over 18 holes on Hoebridge’s challenging parkland layout.

Competition was fierce but it was 14-year-old Burhill Golf Club member Greg Smith who would eventually claim victory, thanks to a superb round of 75. Besides being the first to have his name etched into the BGL Junior Trophy, Greg wins a one-year Burhill Golf & Leisure scholarship with membership to all 10 venues.

The Best Net prize went to Hoebridge’s own 15-year-old Jamie Potter with a score of 69, while Best Net Girl went to Holly Hunter (11) of Redbourn with a score of 76. They both received a trophy and gift vouchers.

Meanwhile younger golfers took part in the Par 3 Trophy, played over Hoebridge’s 18-hole Maybury Par 3 course. Redbourn junior Harry Woor, 10, scooped the honours in the ages 10-12 section with a net 36, while eight-year-old fellow Redbourn member Aaron Nyman-Weber claimed the ages 6-9 prize with a net 35.

Special mention must also be made of eight-year-old Albert Whymark of Birchwood Park, who drained an 18ft putt to win the day’s putting competition.

Prizes were sponsored by the likes of Brand Fusion, Nike, Mizuno and Under Armour, but the day’s main supporter was Festival Drinks, suppliers of soft drinks and wine to around 100 golf clubs in the South of England.

“The younger generation get precious few chances to compete, so it was a privilege to work with an organisation like Burhill Golf & Leisure Ltd on an event like this,” said Jon Parsons, Regional Manager. “I am really pleased the day was a great success and that everyone involved enjoyed themselves.”

The day’s prizes were awarded by Hugh Knowles, Burhill Golf & Leisure Golf Operations Manager. “The Burhill Group is a staunch supporter of junior golf,” he said. “We have vibrant junior memberships packed with talent at all 10 of the Group’s venues, and we are delighted to give these young masters the opportunity to express that ability.”

The success of the day has inspired the Burhill Group to expand next year’s Junior Trophy into a national event, with juniors from all over the country eligible to compete in qualifying events for a grand final at Hoebridge. Visit  www.burhillgolfandleisure.co.uk or call 01932 220815 for more information.

For further information on events at Hoebridge Golf Centre, visit www.hoebridgegc.co.uk or call 01483 735338.