English Schools Golf Association U-16s played in scorching conditions
Josh Stephens was definitely the coolest player at Chesterfield GC yesterday as the Yorkshire junior finished four clear of the rest at the English Schools Golf Association U-16s Championship.
FORMAT: 18-hole stroke play
As temperatures headed towards 40 degrees, the Moortown player did not let an OB on the 12th get to him as he recorded his lowest ever competition round (-3). His 68 put him well clear of runner-up Oliver Toyer (Comerton Village College, Cambridgeshire).
It is just the latest in an impressive run of displays from the 15-year-old, who finished second in the Yorkshire Boys last month.
It has also been quote a few months for the Leeds club, which also had the winner of the Yorkshire Boys – Isaac Smith – and next month it sends a three-man team to the England Golf Junior Champion Club event at Woodhall Spa next month (August 10-12).
Stephens, who qualified for this final by winning the North and East Yorkshire Schools back in March, was thrilled to have won a national event that has previously been won by some pretty famous players.
“I’m obviously delighted to have won but especially pleased to win with a really good score,” said the Leeds Grammar School pupil said who also finished seventh at the English Schools U-18s which was won by fellow Yorkshire teenager Jake Sowden (The Oaks).
“It is also nice to see Nick Dougherty’s name on the trophy. That’s pretty cool.”
It was certainly a day for controlled golf around the tight parkland setting in North Derbyshire and Stephens set the tone by birdieing th stroke index two. An eight iron to four feet helped get him under par.
He gave it back at the next but, at the first par three, he knocked one in for a two and he reached the turn in 32 by finishing the opening nine with an eagle. He took full advantage of hitting a beautiful four iron to 12 feet to get to three under.
However he dropped back to one under at the 12th where he dragged his tee shot left and was forced to reload, making a par with his second ball.
However Stephens, who finished joint ninth in the England U-14s last year, played the last six holes in two under. A morale-boosting 20-footer on 13 provided the perfect fillip and he birdied 16, after firing a gap wedge to six feet, and also 18, where he reached the par five in two and then knocked his eagle attempt to four feet before holing out.