Bramshaw Golf Club’s junior team struck a blow for the Home Counties after winning the British Junior Team Championship at Morgado Golf Resort in Portugal.
The squad of eight boys battled it out in unseasonably wet and windy weather with other junior teams from England, lreland, Scotland and Wales, having sailed through a series of qualifications rounds during 2017.
The Hampshire club’s win at the England Finals last October booked them a place in the championship, which took place from March 6-11, where they faced teams from Whitley Bay, New Club, Thirsk & Northallerton, Llanwern, Lundin Links, Murrayfield and Radyr.
Since qualification for the final, everyone involved with Bramshaw pulled together to help the team prepare, while a number of fundraising events, and sponsorship from Blue Star buses, helped with the logistics of getting the boys out to Portugal.
The Bramshaw squad, which comprised Elliot Thomas, Billy Lightfoot, Joe Buenfeld, Ryan Archer, Anthony Sweeney and Ciaran Simpkin, was unbeaten throughout the three pool matches, after which it faced Welsh team Llanwern, who had also progressed through the group stage with a 100% winning record.
In a closely fought final, Llanwern took the early advantage with wins from Daniel Bearcroft, who beat Buenfeld 3up, and Peter Malpas, who enjoyed a similar margin of victory over Simpkin; but from there on in it was all Bramshaw, as Lightfoot won his match against Michael Powell 3up, while Thomas secured a wide margin 9up win over Dafydd Roberry. Sweeny was also in dominant form, winning his match against Luke Bearcroft 8up, while Ryan Archer rounded off the match with a comfortable 3up triumph over George White to give Bramshaw a 4-2 win and the title of British Junior Team Champions.
Bramshaw junior organiser Nev James, said: “This tournament has seen some 1,500 teams and over 20,000 juniors take part on this journey, hoping to be where we are now. Our juniors were the youngest team in the tournament, playing against some very good golfers, including several internationals, but they have performed and conducted themselves brilliantly. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for the boys to represent their country. We are all very proud of them and look forward to starting the 2018 season!”
The Brawshaw squad also included Sam Talbot, Declan Mason and Danny Coombes, who played in the earlier regional qualifiers.
Andrew Rideout, Bramshaw’s general manager, added: “We are extremely proud of the boys and all they have achieved. The club’s management, committee, team of professionals, members and parents, have come together to fully support our junior team. It’s been wonderful watching them every step of the way. Five members of this team started their golf in our junior academy, managed by our junior organiser, and this win is a true testament to the support of not only the juniors at Bramshaw, but junior golf as a whole.”