Bower Impresses Against International Field

Meltham's Jamie Bower put in a strong performance when finishing in a share of fourth place during the North of England Under 16's Championship at Heswall Golf Club last week.

The well run EGU organised event at the Wirral course, presented in superb condition for the fourth year running, attracted a strong field with a number of players competing from Spain and Germany.

In the four round tournament Bower trailed the leader by eight shots at the halfway stage following rounds of 79 and 75 but made the cut enabling him to play the final two rounds.

The course was set up long from the blue championship tees and measured 6,882 yards. Strong winds and periods of heavy rain greeted the players on each of the first two days.

On Friday the wind strength increased and again there were heavy showers. However, that didn't deter Bower who carded back-to-back rounds of 76 to close the gap on the winner to just five strokes.

The eventual champion of the boys event Olly Carr, a member at Heswall, finished on a total of 301, three strokes ahead of the runner-up Matthew Fitzpatrick from Hallamshire, with third place going to Harry Casey of Enfield. Six players including Bower finished on the 306 mark.

The difficulty of scoring could be seen by the CSS for the four rounds; 76,74,75,76.

Meanwhile Bronte Law from Bramhall took the under 16's and under 14's prize for the best girl with a magnificent 297 total.

Full scores