SE Schools Championships

Strong performances from many at the NASUWT SE Schools Championships

A young team went over to Bury St Edmunds GC for the SE Schools Championships this year, many making a first appearance for the County at this level.  The weather stayed dry on both days, whilst heavy rain fell in Bedfordshire at times.  Most players managed to improve on their morning efforts with a number also playing under their handicap, so much useful experience gained by everyone who went.  Congratulations go in particular to Jack Manley (Sharnbrook Upper / Bedford &County GC) and Georgia Staroscik (Bedford Girls / Leighton Buzzard GC) who were both selected to represent SE Schools at the next stage – the National Schools Championship to be held this year at The Shire GC, Barnet, London at th end of June.  Jack was in a three way tie for the lead after an opening 71 (one under par) and backed this up with a closing 72 to finish 4th on 143, two shots off the winner.   Georgia fought back from an opening, 5 over, score of 79, with a closing, level par, 74 to finish 5th on 153.

Other notable performances came from debutants Luca Thompson (Sharnbrook Upper / Pavenham Park GC) (86/80), Chanel Fontaine-Geary (Parkfields Middle / South Beds GC)(81/78) and Caitlin Thomas (Sandy Upper / John O’Gaunt GC) (88/77) in the Girls Championship. Finlay Cummings (Bedford School / Bedford &County GC) (79/78) and Ben Loveard (Cardinal Newman RC, Luton / Woburn GC) (79/74) in the Boys Championship.  Luca and Caitlin had already reduced their handicaps by 3 shots each in the weeks immediately before the event and got further reductions on the day improving their afternoon score by 6 and 11 shots respectively.  Caitlin shot 3 over in the afternoon and Luca has subsequently broken the Pavenham Park course record over the weekend with a gross 76 to be reduced to 8.1.  Chanel hit a 4 over 78 in the afternoon to get a reduction to 8.0 after playing under handicap on both rounds.

Ben shot a 74 in the afternoon and Findlay 78 to improve their positions from the morning and this augurs well for them in the National Under 16 Schools Championships coming up in July at Thetford GC  where they are most likely to make the balloted startsheet.  Pleasing efforts overall from everyone who gained much from the experiences of the day.  Other scores came from Ed Stephenson (Vandyke Upper / Leighton Buzzard GC) (78/78), George Garnham (Wootton Upper / Bedford &County GC) (80/78) and Andres Valentine (Vandyke Upper / Leighton Buzzard GC) (81/83).

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