The next generation of elite golfers delivered an impressive showcase of talent this week as the Faldo Junior Tour made its latest stop at the renowned Conwy Golf Club. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the North Wales coastline, the championship links provided an unforgettable stage for young competitors from across the UK and Europe.
Throughout the three-day event, players battled shifting winds, firm fairways, and tightly-defended greens — conditions that tested precision and course management on one of Wales’s most admired layouts. Conwy Golf Club, host venue of the 2021 Curtis Cup, once again demonstrated why it remains a world-class arena for competitive golf. Back in August the course hosted the R&A’s Girls Amateur Championship and the links remained in excellent condition.
Scoring throughout the event was inevitably very difficult with only three rounds under par all week. Each of these three rounds coming during the final round when the 50mph winds of round one and two eased to a more bearable 20mph breeze. The low round of the week cam from Cheshire’s Matthew Griffiths. The Myerscough College student produced an excellent -5 under par, 67, to finish on a 221 total to put some pressure on the final groups. The Lymm Golf Club member raced to the turn in -4, 31 but unfortunately had left himself with too much to do following rounds one and two. Griffiths would eventually finish in 3rd place overall. Two shots better off was Welsh International, Joe Jones who lead the event after 18 and 36 holes and with rounds of 73, 73 and 75 would miss out on top spot by a single shot. The overall winner and Boys 21 & Under winner was Essex’s Mason Barningham. The Colchester Golf Club member had rounds of 76, 75 and then a terrific final round of 69 playing in the final group to book his place at the Faldo Junior Tour Europe Grand Final next month.
In the Boys 16 & Under category it was Cheshire’s, Oliver Coleman who came out on top finishing with a +9 total of 225 to win the category by a nine-shot margin. The Stockport Golf Club member showed great consistency over the three rounds with scores of 75, 74 and 76 in tough links conditions. In joint second place in the Boys 16 & under category was Ireland’s Eilgin Michael who at 13 years of age showed great maturity throughout the week in as he battled the coastal winds. Tying Eilgin, was Lancashire’s Luke Walton from West Lancashire Golf Club who had rounds of 79, 77 and 78.
In the Girls category, Coventry Hearsall Golf Club member, Arianna Virik took top spot with rounds of 79, 81 and 76 for a 236 total. Arianna beat younger sister Arisha Virik, in the Girls 16 & Under category whilst Welsh International, Seren Ramsey, took first place in the Girls 21 & Under category. Seren from Oswestry Golf Club beat fellow Welsh International Sofia Benitez from St Pierre.
With a quick turnaround to the Europe Grand Final in 3 weeks time, our category winners will now make plans to travel to Dubai for what looks like a fantastic week as they visit the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeriah Golf Estates before making the short drive over to Al Ain for the 29th Faldo Junior Tour Europe Grand Final.
