Bower claims magnificent double

Jamie with Middlesbrough Captain Mr. Nick Brown.

This time last year in the North of England Youths Championship at Middlesbrough Golf Club Jamie Bower won the Fairweather Salver (under 18), but lost in a playoff for the Macgill Trophy (under 23) with a score of 275.

Last week the Yorkshire County play went one better and claimed both titles! 

The North of England Youths is a EGU Major Championship Event and also a qualifying event for the R & A World Amateur Golf Ranking.

The Brass Castle course is a tough test of golf and is beautifully presented with excellent Greens. The weather was good for the first two rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, the forecast rain and thunder storms missed the area, just a few light showers prevailed.

Jamie with Grandad Harry and Grandad Ton

Not so for the 36 holes on Thursday! Round 3 had light rain for 15 holes then very heavy rain for the last 3 holes. Jamie was in the second last match with playing partner Jack Hermeston from City of Newcastle Golf Club, both on a 36-hole total of 136, 4 shots behind the leader, Keddie from Belton Park Golf Club, and two shots behind Andrews from Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club. 

Both Bower and Hermeston could win the Fairweather Salver and the Macgill Trophy. Whilst the leaders were playing for the Macgill Trophy.

Towards the end of the 3rd round the rain water was running across the eighteenth fairway in streams. Jamie played onto the green in 2 when a referee approached in a golf car and asked the players to mark their ball and return to the clubhouse. Just then the klaxon sounded and play was suspended.

Jamie with Grandma & Grandad, Marina and Harry Haworth

A few minutes after the players had left the course it stopped raining and 30 minutes later all the greens had been cleared of water and the klaxon sounded to start play again. Jamie and Jack had a 40 minutes break before their fourth and final round.

At this stage Jamie was on 205 (-5) and Jack was on 206 (-4). Keddie still lead on 204 (-6) and Andrews was still in the hunt on 206 (-4).

Also at this stage Nick Marsh, Elland Golf Club was steady on 71, 71, 71 = 212 (+ 3).

The last round saw a mixture of heavy and light showers and a stiff breeze through to the 15th hole, the rain cleared the wind calmed and the sun shone for the last three holes. The rain affected Jack's game and he lost shots but Jamie kept his calm and battled through the rain to finish on 272 (- 8) with Jack on 276 (-4). Keddie finished on 278 (-2) and Andrews on 284 (+ 4).

Harry, President Elect Yorkshire Golf Union &Tony

In second place was McAllister from Tankersley Park Golf Club who made a later charge on 274 (-6) and third place Paul Lockwood from Hessle Golf Club on 275 (-5). All three Yorkshire Players. 

Nick Marsh finished in 15th place on 281 (+1) with an excellent two-under par 68 last round.

It was announced at the presentation that this is the 37th Year of the championship and Jamie is the first player to win both the Fairweather Salver and the Macgill Trophy together. Jamie now has a handicap of +2.