Junior's thrive in Order of Merit Leagues

Many of our juniors recently participated in the National-Semi Final with the team just missing out on the televised final. But, they haven’t let disappointment get in the way of their remaining fixtures.

The Sussex Junior Order of Merit is a sequence of events which all started at West Hove Golf Club in July and finished at Bognor Regis Golf Club on 26 October. To win the series takes real commitment and a season of consistent performances.

In the Under 13 Order of Merit, Goodwood took the top three positions with Jamie Burchell finishing first with 98 points to add to his best gross score at the Sussex Under 13 Championships earlier on in the summer. Harry Callow finished second with 86 and Joe Sykes third with 77.

Goodwood took four out of the top five positions in the Under 15s league with Max Herring finishing first. A great season for Max adding to previous successes in the summer. Sykes, Burchell and Club Champion Alexander Westerdijk all featured in the top five. Westerdijk had a good year in the Under 18s too finishing third with Sykes, Burchell, Herring and Peter Davies all joining him in the top 10 with many playing well above their age bracket.

It has been a wonderful summer for Jamie, Max, Joe and Harry who have all had special moments to get them where they are today, Jamie said: “Winning the Nevil & East Sussex National Under 18 Junior Open and the Sussex U13 Scratch Competition were my best moments.”

Harry’s highlight was getting a hole-in-one on the 8th at The Downs Course during the summer singles knockout. With Max’s highpoint being shooting a gross 73 to win the Sussex Boys U15 Championship and winning the Bobby Locke Open.

Joe said: “My highlight of the season has to be getting selected for the England U16 regional squad where I will get high-level coaching with a better standard of players.

“I have had a great year and have really enjoyed representing Goodwood at many events around the country. All in all 2017 was a fantastic year!”

A special mention must go to Thady White who at the age of nine, has not only won the handicap competition in the Under 15’s boys Championship but he finished seventh in the Under 13’s Order of Merit. An outstanding achievement.

General Manager, Stuart Gillett, said, “To have witnessed the development of our junior team has been wonderful. They have been rewarded for their hard work with great results on the golf course and there is a real spirit and camaraderie among the juniors.

“To have two County age group champions is an achievement we are hugely proud of. The success of 2017 is testament to the hard work that the team here at Goodwood have put in over the last couple of years.

“I must also pay thanks to the parents whose support of what we are doing is hugely appreciated. In addition, the sponsorship of the Junior Team clothing by BagSOLO has helped the look and feel more professional”

A huge congratulations from all of us here at Golf At Goodwood, and we’re sure there some names for the future right here #teamgoodwood