George Leigh (Trevose) became both U16 and U18 County Champion on Sunday after finishing top of the respective competitions staged at Perranporth GC.

On a difficult day with intermittent rain, strengthening breezes and a course in great condition but with penal rough for those who strayed from the straight and narrow, Leigh (pictured above with CGU Juniors President Alan Lund) shot an excellent 2 under par morning 70 and followed it up with an afternoon 78, for a two round total of 148, to register the win in both age categories.

Having just completed  a series of school exams which prevented him from taking part in international duty for England, Leigh’s first round contained 4 birdies and 12 pars for his 2 under 1st round total, which was 5 shots clear of his nearest challenger Ewan Warren (St Austell) on 75.

George Leigh tees off at Perranporth watched by Joe Reynard and Cameron Gurd

Leigh’s afternoon round threatened to come off the rails after a triple bogey 7 at the par 4 3rd hole and a double at the par 4 7th but a bounceback birdie at the 9th and a one over par back nine saw him home by just the one shot in the end as Warren closed with a 74 for his 149 total and a win in the nett competition for the U18s.

Perranporth’s George Law and Junior County Captain Joe Reynard (Trevose) were tied 3rd on 153 after both returned rounds of 77 and 76, with Thomas Stephens (Truro) continuing to impress as he recorded a pair of 77s. Morgan Craven (Perranporth) shot the best afternoon round of 73 to move himself well up the leader board into 6th spot. Two more home club players were 7th and 8th as Cameron Gurd and Rhys Kerton returned 157 and 158 respectively.

In 10th place overall was 13 year old Jonty Jenkin (above, West Cornwall) who put together two exceptional rounds off his 16 handicap. His first round of 84 (nett 68) but he went even better in round two as he returned a gross 79 for a nett 63 and a combined -13 nett total which comfortably secured the U16 nett honours.

Full scores

Perranporth GC Captain Peter Naish welcomed the juniors, parents and the Cornwall Gold Union to the club and expressed how pleased and honoured they were to host the competition. He congratulated all those who had taken part and conceded how the playing conditions would have been difficult. Naish and CGU Juniors President Alan Lund presented the prizes.

After the presentations CGU U18s Manager Gary Andrew named the team of 9 boys who will represent Cornwall in the SWCGA Boys Six Counties Championship which takes place at Perranporth on Thursday 12th July 2018. The team is: Joe Reynard, George Leigh, Morgan Craven, Thomas Stephens, Liam Wilson (Truro), Cameron Gurd. George Law. Ewan Warren and Rhys Kerton.