Two of Hertfordshire’s top young amateur talents took a major step forward in their golfing following victories in the Telegraph BMW Junior Championships in Portugal.
England internationals Harry Goddard and Hannah Screen won their respective titles at the 54-hole UK finals held the Quinta do Lago in the Algarve.
Goddard fired a course-record 66 in the opening round over the resort’s North Course to take an early lead in the boys’ section, but the 16 year old from Cheshunt let his rivals back into the tournament with a five-over par 77 in the second. However, he regained his composure over the final 18 holes, carding a five-under par 67 to win the title by an impressive nine shots from Jamie Wilson, from Close House, Newcastle.
The Telegraph finals has proved a stepping stone for a host of future tour stars, with Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick both having won the title during their amateur days.
Goddard, for whom this was his third visit to the finals, said: “It feels great to win this title. I’ve had a great season, with no missed cuts, and I’ve mainly been competing against players two years older than me. I got back my fade back with my driver in the final round, and struck the ball pretty well all week. I birdied the first, which got my confidence back, and I was delighted to win.”
Meanwhile in the girls’ event, it was a tight affair all the way down the closing stretch between overnight leader Screen and first round leader Lily May Humphreys.
Screen looked shaken after four-putting from close range on the seventh, but three birdies in five holes calmed the nerves and the rising Berkhamsted star held on to win by two strokes.
“It was a bonus I even qualified for this event, so to follow in Alice Hewson’s footsteps, I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Screen. “I’m incredibly proud, and it’s such a good platform for what lies ahead.
Norwich’s Amelia Williamson, who qualified top of the Telegraph leaderboard over the summer, finished third, while Chart Hills’ Cloe Frankish, who will head to the Ladies Tour Qualifying School next week, finished fourth.
And there was one final treat in store for the champions, with European Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley on hand to present the trophies.