There was a blanket finish in the South East Group Junior Championship where Hampshire’s Tom Chalk took home the trophy by one shot at John O’Gaunt GC in Bedfordshire yesterday.
Nearly 100 talented youngsters did battle around the tight parkland setting and Tom, a former Hampshire U-14s champion, held his round together superbly, critically birdieing the par five 17th to get himself back level par and close with a 71.
The best front nine of the day came from Essex’s George Wright (Bishops Stortford), who eagled the ninth to register a two under 34. His challenge was ended with a double bogey at the 16th and he closed with a 72.
Also one shot back in the final reckoning was Kent’s Miles Gray (Etchinghill) but he just couldn’t quite see it through to the end after making a strong challenge around the turn.
The U-14s prize went to Essex’s Charles Croker (Thorndon Park), who was seventh overall but just two behind the winner while the U-16s was headed by his county team-mate Henry Styles (Romford), who was fifth overall.
This year a new category was introduced – Best gross, Playing Handicap 5 or higher – and Kent’s George Edwards (Sene Valley) produced an excellent 75 to win it and overall was ninth.