The Astbury in Shropshire once again hosted the Faldo Junior Tour ahead of a busy month of events in Great Britain. Located amongst the rolling hills above the idyllic town of Bridgnorth, The Astbury offers a true test of golf as the challenging parkland layout with immaculate putting surfaces features some very tricky pin positions. The dry English Summer meant that the course played particularly difficult as the fairways and greens played particularly firm and accuracy with approaches to the green was of paramount importance to the strong field of 114 players.
Come Wednesday afternoon the only player still under par would be the eventual Champion. Luke Metcalf from Walton Heath recorded scores of 71, 71 and 69 for a 2 under par total of 211 to win by 7 shots, despite a double bogey on the 54th hole. Metcalf was the only player under par in the last rounds as strong winds added to the already tricky conditions as the golf course firmed up during the week. 14 birdies throughout the week kept Metcalf out in front and he was eventually crowned Faldo Junior Tour Champion as well as the Boys 21 & Under Winner. Luke had already booked his place at the 30th European Grand Final in Al Ain during the Faldo Virtual Series in February thanks to his 6 under par score around Ryder Cup venue, Adare Manor. This meant that Boys 21 & Under runner up Ollie Farmer from Copthorne Golf Club would join Metcalf in the UAE after finishing with a 5 over total of 218 for the week. The victory also saw Metcalf regain his WAGR, where he is now ranked 3113th.
Also, at 5 over par for the week was Oliver McEvoy from Thorpe Hall. McEvoy would become the Boys 16 & Under Winner forcing out local player Harry Slater from Wreckin Golf Club by 2 shots. McEvoy held his nerve wonderfully with a back 9 of 1 under par, 35 to see off Slater and Delamere Forest’s Shane Clayton coming down the stretch. The first round on Monday also proved very memorable for Brodie Miller, the Telford Golf Club player recorded a hole in one on the 3rd Hole. A smooth Pitching Wedge from 130 yards landed in the hole for Brodie’s 4th Hole In One of his career.
Within the Girls divisions Jasmine Points of Bury St Edmond Golf Club would be the leading player and gaining her first WAGR at 3269th. Points had played excellently in round 1& 2 with scores of 73 and 75, however on a difficult scoring day in round 3 Points’ score of 82 was enough to see off Cheshire’s Isabella Taylor-Stokes, who missed a 6 foot birdie putt on the 54th hole to force a play-off. The Girls 16 & Under division was also really close with Welsh International, Amelie Jones hitting her approach into the water on the 54th hole to allow Australia’s, Kasija Milasinova, to snatch victory. A final round of 79 in tough conditions would give Milasinova the victory by 2 shots.
The Faldo Junior Tour moves West next week, into Wales, as it once again visits the championship links at Conwy Golf Club. Last year the venue hosted the R&A’s Girls Amateur Championship and will provide a strong field of 50 players with a tough links test.
