Goodwood hosts international field for European Junior Tour Golf

Forming part of the ‘Race to Spain’ qualifiers, which gives young players the chance to compete in the Costa del Sol later in the year, juniors travelled to Goodwood from as far afield as Switzerland and Thailand to compete.

Nine-year-old Shreyas Sanmathy was the overall winner of the ‘Race to Spain’, shooting a fantastic five under par across the two days. His score was helped by a remarkable hole-in-one on the eighth hole.

Golf At Goodwood Junior Member Harry Callow, 11, played two great rounds to finish second overall in his age category. He said; “It was fun out there playing against people my age because I usually play in the adult competitions. It was good to compete against similar talents and the course played very well out there. The weather wasn’t too bad at first, but then the rain came and it became bogey golf. I was happy to finish third on the first day and second overall, so I think that’s half decent!”

The European Junior Golf Tour started in 1999 when director Roger Shutt felt compelled to create a series in Europe due to lack of opportunities for competitive young players in the UK. The tour now hosts over 30 events each year across Britain, from February to December.  

Shutt’s aim with the organisation is to give young players a real tour experience, with competitions on parkland, links, heathland, short courses, long courses and downland courses. Nine age groups are catered for, starting at under six and going up to players aged 17-years-old. There is an annual order of merit, with each age group receiving scholarship programmes and coaching as prizes.

Shutt said; “We first came to Goodwood three years ago and have done three February events and some summer competitions. It has been very successful and very popular here because it’s a great winter venue with great facilities and is very junior friendly, which is important to us. The kids just love the challenge of two championship courses at Goodwood .”