It was great to be back on the course in junior competition yesterday. Whilst we have been having wall to wall sunshine of late, the price we have had to pay has been some very strong and cool winds. This was the case as the CGU Juniors Order of Merit got underway at a splendid Whitsand Bay in a new event, the Junior Spring Meeting. With views to die for and a course in first class condition, the wind ensured 40 juniors were tested to the limit. Some survived in the in the fast-running firm conditions, which increased the degree of difficulty – others did not.

After the results were finalised the Playing Conditions Calculation for the day came out at 3 and this was in no way a surprise.

Under the guidance of Juniors President Matt Tucknott, acting as official starter, the field all made their way uphill on the first before being exposed to some severe gusting 40mph easterly winds. Those knowing the layout of the course will realize help on one hole means a slog on the next. And the help in terms of distance did not mean it was easy bringing the ball to a stop on the firm ground.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the older and more experienced of the juniors came to the fore and it was three members of the County Mens Team Squad who took the lowest gross prizes. Junior County Captain Thomas Stephens (Trevose) scored an impressive 77 in the wind to claim first place, on countback, from clubmate Liam Wilson with Josh Chapman (Tehidy Park) third on 78.

Ethan Tempest (West Cornwall) also returned a gross 78 which was good enough to see him claim first place in the handicap prizes with a nett 73. Carlyon Bay’s Sam Ward returned a nett 74 and James Tucknott (Radnor) a nett 75 to pip Harry Drewett (Falmouth) on countback.                                                   

For the girls it was a tough day too but Maisie Drewett (Falmouth) returned a gross 88 to claim victory in her category, just pipping Lizzy Nile (Carlyon Bay) on 89. Third place went to Sophia Hallett (Mullion, 101).

The girls handicap prizes went first of all to Genevieve Facey (St Austell) with a nett 81 followed by Ella-Grace Crocker (Carlyon Bay) nett 86 and Frankie Smith (St Austell) nett 88.

We would like to express our thanks to Whitsand Bay Golf Club for their hospitality in staging the competition. Specific thanks to PGA Profession and ‘Mr Whitsand Bay’ Andy Welch, the greenkeeping top dogs Kristian Summerfield and Neil Robinson and Justine and Hugo who dealt so well with all the catering needs. It was also very good to see Cornwall County Ladies Association President Jill Simmons present, as she made the long trip from Mullion to support the 10 girls taking part. And completing the full house, we were also joined by CGU President Andrew Clotworthy who has regularly voiced his support for all matters junior. Thanks must also go to the members of the CGU Junior Committee who were present en masse to assist out on the course.

Junior Spring Meeting Results - which offers option to click between Gross and Nett scores

The 2021 U18 and U16 Junior Order of Merit consists of 7 events. Whitsand Bay was the first for 2021. Round 2 is the Falmouth Junior Open on Sunday 9th May 2021 and you should contact the club in order to make entries.

The other events are:

Round 3      Sunday 13th June CGU Junior County Championship - Carlyon Bay - enter online

Round 4      Sunday 4th July Junior Open - St Austell - entries via club

Round 5     Monday 26th July Junior Open - West Cornwall - entries via club

Round 6     Thursday 12th August Junior Open - Perranporth - entries via club

Round 7      Monday 25th October Junior Autumn Meeting - Mullion - entries online later

A player’s best 5 scores from the 7 available events will determine his position in the respective Orders of Merit.