Bramshaw Juniors crowned National Champions
The players (Back, L to R) are Joe Buenfeld (Team Captain), Elliot Thomas, Ciaran Simpkin (2019 Junior Captain), Ryan Archer, Danny Coombs and Jake Barney, along with (Front, Billy Lightfoot)
After winning the Hampshire Junior League to qualify for the knock-out rounds of the Home Nations Championship, the Bramshaw Junior Team, played in Regional Final and Semi-final tournaments to earn a place in the National Final, which took place on Sunday 20th October at Mannings Heath Golf Club, Sussex.
Competing with Bramshaw were Thirsk & North Allerton, Hexham, Huddersfield, Windlesham and Wrag Barn. Notably, this is the second time in 3 years that Bramshaw have triumphed and been crowned England Champions. They now head off to Morgado, Portugal in February 2020, to represent England in the Home Nations Championships.
With the practice-round the day before, the recent heavy rain meant that the course was playing its full length, but with good quality greens, this was going to be a challenging, but enjoyable test of golf.
The morning of the tournament arrived, with a little mist over the course, but good prospects for the weather during the day. After Sky TV filmed and interviewed a selection of players, play eventually got underway just after 10am, with Bramshaw’s Joe Buenfeld having the pleasure of the first shot of the National Final. With 36 players teeing off the next 5 hours or so proved just how difficult the course was due to the soft fairways and with fallen leaves also making life challenging for players and ball-spotters alike.
Sky TV were filming the players on the 5th, 10th and 18th holes and after the last group putted out on the final hole, it was back to the Clubhouse before the post-match dinner and presentation/announcement of results.
With Joe Buenfeld shooting a 1-under par 71 (equal best score of the day), backed up by his team-mates who all scored around their handicaps the Bramshaw team were the most consistent performers on the day. When the results were announced the Bramshaw Juniors had beaten Windlesham into runners-up spot by a margin of 4 shots.
Nev James, Junior Organiser, Bramshaw said “This squad have now been together for a few years and they are impressive young golfers. I am very proud of the way they played, their etiquette and their ability to cope in pressure situations. Every player gave a very solid golf performance and they are a genuine team, working with and supporting each other superbly”.
The players (Back, L to R) are Joe Buenfeld (Team Captain), Elliot Thomas, Ciaran Simpkin (2019 Junior Captain), Ryan Archer, Danny Coombs and Jake Barney, along with (Front, Billy Lightfoot)
We now look forward to preparing for Portugal!
