Radnor Golf & Leisure’s 1st Ever Junior Golf Open Review – Matt Tucknott

Whilst this event was the first of its type at Radnor Golf, it was also the first time Cornwall had ever held a Par 3 Championships for Juniors and looking at the successful outcome it certainly will not be the last time the event can be enjoyed by so many. Even with a tidal wave of last-minute withdrawals (sensibly due to illness and respecting the organiser’s request to only attend if feeling 100%) the field went from 62 juniors to 51 which still probably makes it the best attended junior competition held in Cornwall all year. 

Juniors travelled to the event from all parts of Cornwall, from West Cornwall GC all the way across to Trethorne/Launceston South to St Mellion and North to St Enodoc. Add the fact there were juniors as low as “0” and as high as “54” handicap, plus a category for new golfers who had only just started the game and hadn’t quite got their handicap indexes yet, this event was truly “The Most Inclusive” event held in 2021. The random draw saw juniors playing golf alongside others whom they may not have had the chance to play with before due to most competitions putting juniors out in handicap order (lowest first), and this again added to the feeling this event was a bit different from others that had gone before.

A special thanks must go to the management team and owners of Radnor Golf who agreed to host the whole day on what would have been (looking at the weather) one of their busiest days over the Christmas holidays. Radnor added further support on the day including starter duties and scorecard checking afterwards. Thanks must also go to the individual members and companies who made very kind donations to help towards the prize fund, something which was most appreciated by all concerned and clearly demonstrated how many kind members we have at the club – all sharing in the belief of supporting junior golf development. 

Donations for the event were received from Jon & Cara Barber (Radnor Golf & Leisure), Paul Dash (The Dash Group), Tom Sobey (Origin Coffee), Mick Hartshorne (MJH Heating), Brian Best (Radnor Member), Simon Carter (Bookers Redruth), Brad Bodinnar (England Golf), Tom Sparks (Golf Foundation) and Cornwall Golf Lessons.

Special mention must go to Cornwall Golf Union President, Mr Andrew Clotworthy who came along to add his support. Upon seeing the encouragement to all levels of junior golfers after what has been a very full calendar throughout 2021, he, on behalf of the CGU made a very generous donation to add to the budget for the event. As a result, we were able to present at the prize giving ceremony a little memento to all the juniors who played and stayed on to support the individual prize winners. The generosity and goodwill towards encouraging junior golf development is brilliant to see and it’s reassuring that we have so much support from the CGU.

Before we come onto the most important part of any review the actual results, I must reiterate that in my mind everyone that played in our event is a “winner”. I can only thank all the juniors who took part, for making the day a huge success - without your support we wouldn’t have been able to have delivered such a great experience for so many. Also, all the members and volunteers who came along on the day to watch and help, thank you as well, it really was a “Right Royal Result” for everyone concerned. 

Results Radnor Golf & Leisure Junior Open

18-hole Strokeplay Scratch Prizes

1st, Jack Kevern (WCGC) 62 

2nd, Jonty Jenkin (WCGC) 64

3rd, Ethan Tempest (WCGC) 66

18-Hole Strokeplay Nett Prizes

1st, James “Birthday Boy” Tucknott 66-7=59

2nd, Tommy Miller (Newquay) 66-4=62

3rd, Heath Coombes (Newquay) 71-7=63

18-Hole Stableford Prizes (handicap index 28 and above)

1st, Isabelle Wakeling (St Austell) 37points - pictured top

2nd, Theo Hubbard (Radnor) 34points

3rd, Ethan Best (Radnor) 31points

9-Hole “Fun” Competition (new golfers) 

1st, Nathan Osborne (Radnor) 15points

2nd, Stanley Knight (Tehidy Park ) 14points

3rd, Mabel Gosling-Brown (Radnor/Perranporth) 13points

4th, Oliver Entwistle (Radnor) 11points

5th, William Armstrong (Radnor) 

6th, Harrison Marshall (Radnor)

6th, Abel Bale (St Austell)

6th, Charley Hackett (WCGC) 

9th, Albie Sobey (Radnor)

10th, Finn Hall (Radnor)

The management team  decided the award for the Winner of the best score of any junior playing on the day and therefore winning the Radnor Golf & Leisure Inclusive Junior Open Title was Isabelle Wakeling from St Austell GC. Isabelle was the only junior who managed to play to her handicap index on the day, which considering the calibre of the juniors playing on the day was a fantastic achievement. Added to this she is one of the most supportive, encouraging, and happiest juniors I witnessed throughout the day, well done Isabelle! 

The Golf Foundation donated an award and prize which they wished should go to a junior who best reflected their values and beliefs, like having fun, being kind, supportive, honest and enjoying the whole experience. As a result, the winner of this award was Immy Dash from Radnor. Immy demonstrated all the above and also collected the Most “Smiling Faces” on a scorecard😀

Another achievement Award went to Albie Sobey from Radnor who achieved his first ever par 3 on any golf course and at the age of just 6 which is awesome. I have a feeling this little chap will be collecting lots more prizes in the future and his is a name to remember!

Best placed Radnor Golf junior not in the prizes and therefore winning the “Narrowly Missing Out Award” went to Will Barber who I’m sure will be delighted with his trophy.

During the presentation the audience were introduced to next year’s County Boys Captain, Ethan Tempest from WCGC, whilst he was collecting his prize, and everyone wished him and our County Boys the best of luck in 2022. It was nice seeing Sam Ward from Carlyon Bay GC playing in his last ever junior competition as a junior and it shows what a great junior he has been over the years by continuing to support junior golf right up until the very last event, best of luck Sam.  Jack Kevern winner of the scratch category made a solid speech thanking all the staff at Radnor, the organiser, the other juniors and everyone who made the day possible, a day which again demonstrates the future of junior golf in Cornwall is in good hands.

On a final note, as tournament controller all I have left to say is thank you to everyone who supported the event and I look forward to seeing you all in 2022 and who knows how many we can get next time playing and enjoying the challenges of Radnor Golf & Leisure, the home of Inclusive Golf in Cornwall.