SCORES FROM ENGLISH UNDER16 BOYS STROKE PLAY

Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) is best placed of all the Scottish boys competing in the McGregor Trophy at Trevose. He had a 72 to be one behind Irish pacemaker David Brady (Co Sligo)


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IRELAND'S DAVID BRADY ONLY PAR-MATCHER

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The experience of links golf in the wind at County Sligo paid dividends for David Brady on a troublesome opening day of the McGregor Trophy on the north Cornwall coast. The 15 year old Irishman was the only player in the 132-strong field to match the testing par of 71 to take a one-stroke lead over the field. “I’ve played at Rosses Point since I started golf so I’m used to playing in the wind,” he said. “I think I’m quite a good wind player and this course reminds me of Sligo. They were both designed by Harry Colt and that might have helped me today.” Brady began with a birdie, the first of three, in an outward 35 and but for a bogey at 15 he would have finished in red figures. Conditions were anything but summery for the opening round of the English Boys under 16 Championship and while many scored lots, some managed to cope. A sea mist delayed the start at Trevose, leaving the ‘early birds’ kicking their heels for 90 minutes. Then a strengthening south westerly wind, allied to some tricky pin positions, troubled the later starters. Ewan Ferguson from Scotland and Lincolnshire’s Ashton Turner, who both returned 72, started after the mist lifted and benefitted from kinder conditions. (image © Tom Ward). Ferguson had five birdies on his card, including the 17th and 18th, while England boy cap and Lincolnshire boy champion Turner had an eagle and two birdies in his 72. But several of those high on the leaderboard found the course had a sting in its tail. The final two holes, both par fours, don’t appear that treacherous to this quality of golfer at 432 and 478 yards respectively. But they proved to be the Achilles Heel for many. Under 16 international and boy squad member Jack Singh Brar was heading for a sub-par return until he four-putted the last for his 73. And that followed four three-putts. “I hit every green but I hit every downhill putt well past,” he admitted. The greens also troubled Oliver Daws from Kent, another to shoot 73. The 15 year old had five birdies but he four-putted the seventh. Jake Shorey from Northumberland also fell foul of the closing stretch, a double bogey at 17 was followed by a bogey at the last in his 73, while Nottinghamshire’s Scott Hamilton had a trio of birdies but a triple-bogey eight on the 13th saw him also sign for 73. Suffering even more was Chris Little from Frilford Heath, who was also heading for a sub-par round until he double-bogeyed the final three holes for 76. England under 14 champion Bradley Moore from Derbyshire is among those on 74, while defending under 16 champion Jack Hermeston returned 75 after going out in 39. In the battle for the Nations Cup, decided over the first two rounds, England 1 lead on 145, two ahead of Ireland 2 with England 2 on 148. Lynne Fraser Marketing and PR Manager ENGLAND GOLF Email: l.fraser@englandgolf.org Tel: 01526 354500

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