2014 Roehampton Junior Masters
The Roehampton Junior Masters was hosted by Roehampton Club on Sunday 21st September. Now in its third year, the event attracted a stellar field with 52 (40 boys and 12 girls) of the best Under 16 Juniors in the South-East. The tournament is a 36-hole scratch medal with each player invited by their County to compete for the Boys and Girls Toro Trophies.
The boys were being observed by County officials and England Selectors as the event now ties in as part of their selection weekend. The organisers found it extremely useful to view these junior players in the same competitive environment with the added the pressure of players knowing they being identified as potential England players.
Despite some bad weather leading up to the event, the players were lucky to have dry conditions throughout the day. The course attracted numerous compliments from players and spectators alike, with many impressed by the trueness and speed of the greens despite previous days of rain.
The good conditions and high quality field was evident with the low scoring, with a gross 68 in the afternoon from Khush Patel the lowest score of the day. In the end, the boys’ winner was Aadam Syed, representing Surrey and member of Foxhills with rounds of gross 69 + 72 = 141. Charlie Strickland (Sussex) finished one shot adrift in second place, pipping Harvey Byers (Surrey) on count back. Aadam’s winning score was especially impressive, as he is still representing the under 14 age category.
The girls’ event, despite a smaller field also produced some outstanding golf with Gemma Allman of Stanmore Golf Club (Middlesex) prevailing with rounds of 77 + 75 = 142. Gemma finished three clear of Kate Mackworth-Praed (Hampshire) and five clear of Sharna Dutrieux (Kent).
Next year’s Junior Masters will take place on 27th September 2015. Roehampton Club was asked by all the participating counties for the competition to continue for a number of years to befit its rising reputation as the top under 16 event of the year.