John O’Gaunt Golf Club hosted a Faldo Junior Tour event for the first time. Earlier in the year, the Club had hosted a Faldo Futures Qualifier and a Faldo Futures Regional Final for junior golfers aged 7-12 years old. The association between John O’Gaunt and Sir Nick does go a lot further back into history, however, as Sir Nick won the Boys Open at John O’Gaunt back in 1973.
The Bedfordshire club hosted this 54-hole event with the first 18 holes played on the Carthagena Course and the final two rounds played on the John O’Gaunt Course. In warm temperatures, the scoring was equally as hot with 13 players breaking par on Day 1. Toby Osborne from Cosby GC produced a magnificent -7, 62 to take the early lead after round 1; however, he would eventually have to settle for a Tie for 22nd place.
In the Boys 21 & Under category, Mark Hewlett Jnr from Worcester G&CC, finally booked his place in Al Ain with rounds of 73, 68, & 67 for a -3 total. Having finished runner-up in Scotland and being well placed going into the final round at The Astbury, Mark finally got over the line to win the Boys 21 & Under category. With a -2 total of 209, Bedfordshire Golf Club member William Mowe took the runner-up position by a shot from Welwyn Garden City player Louie Bloxham.
In the Boys 16 & Under category, there was a tie for 2nd place, on +3, Albie Beeston from North Hants Golf Club and West Lancashire’s Thomas Prescott sharing the prize. In the end, there was a comfortable victory in this category and for the overall title with Thetford golfer Sullivan Goddard finishing with rounds of 64, 70, 69 for a -8 total of 203. Sullivan started round three with two straight birdies to ease the nerves and win by 5 shots in the end. It was a great week for the Norfolk Boys County Champion, who had come into the event in good form with a win at Eaton Golf Club and a runner-up finish at the South England Boys Open over 72 holes. This victory in the Faldo Junior Tour John O’Gaunt event also gave the 16-year-old his first WAGR, entering at 4803rd position.
In the girls category, it was another 16 & Under Winner who also gained WAGR. Imogen Hall from South Kyme Golf Club climbed to 1723rd spot following her victory at John O’Gaunt. Scores of 73, 70 and 74 helped Imogen to a 5-shot victory over Ria Prabhakar of West Essex Golf Club. In the girls 21 & Under category was John O’Gaunt member Ixie Akpan, who used her local knowledge to secure her space at the European Grand Final in Al Ain. Akpan finished with a 224 total such to the pleasure of the home support who cheered her on from the clubhouse dining area. In the runners-up position was Hessle Golf Club’s Poppi Maxwell, who led after day one following a round of 69.
