The Faldo Junior Tour delivered another high-quality showcase of emerging golfing talent this week as competitors from across the UK and Europe gathered at The Shire London, the only Seve Ballesteros-designed course in the UK. Known for its dramatic risk-and-reward layout, The Shire offered a stern but exciting test that brought out some of the finest junior golf of the season despite some brutal conditions as 50mph winds hit the course during round one and two.
Players faced a strategic mix of water-lined fairways, sculpted bunkering, and undulating greens that demanded precision from tee to green. With tightly packed leaderboards across every age category, the pressure remained high throughout the tournament.
It was Welwyn Garden City member, Louie Bloxham, who was able to come out on top with an incredible four shot victory. Hertfordshire golfer, Bloxham put the disappointment of narrowly losing out on victory earlier in the season at Faldo Junior Tour event at The Astbury, to produce a +1, 73 in the final round for what in the end was a very convincing victory. There were three players tied for second place in the overall event with William Wright from Chelmsford Golf Club also finishing runner up in the Boys 21 & Under category. Whilst American, Lucas Weisberg and Bentley Golf Club’s Alfie Dorrington tied for second overall, they would have to go to a sudden death play off the decide the winner of the Boys 16 & Under category. Following a birdie on the second play off hole Dorrington took victory in the Boys 16 & Under category and also booked his place on the plane for next months Faldo Junior Tour Europe Grand Final.
In the Girls 21 & Under category Jorja Newbold won for the second time this season following her victory at Dunstanburgh Castle in April. After a first round of 84, Newbold followed up with two rounds of 74 for a convincing victory over second place Eloise Feely. In the Girls 16 & Under category, East Herts’ Ava Gadsby, couldn’t quite make it to Al Ain two years in a row, instead 13-year-old Bella Watson took top spot to book her place in the Europe Grand Final. Langley Park member, Bella has had an unbelievable end to the season after winning the Faldo Futures Grand Final at the end of August at The Belfry. It hasn’t taken Bella long to make to step up to the Junior Tour with a great showing at The Shire London, as she now looks to compete against some of the best juniors players in the country, some of which are eight years her senior.
With a quick turnaround to the Faldo Junior Tour Europe Grand Final we wish all the winners the best of luck in the United Arab Emirates in three week’s time to compete against a World Class field of around 90 players from 30 different countries.
