Wiltshire Golf
Walls & Wrixon Triumph at Hamptworth
Wrag Barn’s Katie Walls and Tidworth based Max Wrixon were the major winners at the first combined Wiltshire Girl’s & Boy’s Championship held at Hamptworth.
Despite the lure of foreign holidays, and the dark brooding cloud of exams, 25 boys and girls teed it up at the fantastic Hamptworth Golf Club yesterday to contest the first combined County Championship.
On a bright but breezy morning the Boy’s got underway first, Max sharing the first round lead with Broome Manor’s Freddie Titcombe, both shooting an excellent 1 over 72. However, close on their heels were 2018 Champion Harry Moule and Upavon player Tom Scullion, one shot back on 73, with 2017 runner up James Black a further shot adrift.
In the nett competition the lunchtime leader was High Post’s James Verdin who carded an excellent 68 which gave him a narrow 2 shot lead over the field.
It was then the turn of the girls, whose Championship is decided over 18 holes. This proved to be a family affair with Katie and Sammy Walls contesting the title with Rosie McGrane from Tidworth Garrison.
After a closely fought round Wrag Barn’s Katie Wall’s excellent 80 defeated her sister Sammy (Broome Manor) by a single shot, with Rosie coming home a further 3 shots behind, but claiming the overall nett prize. The under 13 prize was won for the second year by Gemma Phillips (North Wilts) with Ellie Webster (Wrag Barn) second.
Katie now goes on to represent Wiltshire in the Girl’s Champion of Champion event at Woodhall Spa on the 7thSeptember 2019, where she will compete for the National title.
As the boys ventured out for their second round the wind got up, swirling around the wooded acres of the picturesque Hamptworth layout making scoring difficult. However, the conditions didn’t seem to affect James Verdin who shot another under par round (nett 70) to win the handicap trophy from Freddie Titcombe and runner-up Lewy Hayward (Broome Manor).
In a tense finale James Black fell just short, shooting an excellent level par 71 to come in 3rd, and when Harry Moule submitted the same score it meant that Max had to birdie the last 2 holes to tie. This he duly did which took the competition into a 3-hole playoff for the second time in 3 years. The competition was decided really on the first extra hole when Max rolled in a 20 foot put for eagle and Harry’s birdie try ended up agonisingly short. From that point on Harry was always playing catch up, but he just couldn’t match his opponent’s consistent accuracy.
Huge congratulations must go to the 2019 Boy’s Champion, Max Wrixon who displayed exceptional calmness and sportsmanship throughout the day and was a worth winner. He will now represent Wiltshire in the Boy’s Champion of Champions tournament to be held at Frilford Heath on the 14thSeptember 2019 – good luck Max and Katie!
The final awards went to the Broome Manor Team who won the Team Shield which now qualifies them for the national final in England Golf Week on the 12th& 13thof August.
Wiltshire Golf would also like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Hamptworth for making the day so special. Head greenkeeper Tim Facer and Club Manager Michael Mulligan merit special praise for the excellent condition of the course and the hospitality received by all the competitors and their families. See you all at West Wilts next year!