Under 16s top the league after tough matches at Stanmore

Sat 31st Jul
Hertfordshire Under 16s won their triangular matches against BB&O and Middlesex at Stanmore on July 27 to take a four-point lead at the top of the Under 16 Home Counties league.


After the morning foursomes the boys from Hertfordshire had a slight advantage with a 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 success over both counties.

Middlesex were up against BB&O by the same score.

The successful pairings with wins in each of their matches were William Aldred (Mid-Herts) playing with Neal Pabari (Porters Park) and from George Welsh (South Herts) paired with Thomas Hughes (Porters Park), who answered a late call up that morning due to injury and performed impressively throughout the day. The lead pairing of Elliott Leonard (Harpenden Common) and Aaron Frost (Knebworth) gained a half point with both their games going to the 18th green before finishing all square.
 
The afternoon singles proved equally close games.

Elliot Leonard was 4 up on the 13th tee and looking good for 2 points only to concede the 13 hole after driving into the ditch and then being hit by a birdie run from Robbie Johnson of Middlesex who swept by him to a 2 & 1 win. Elliott held on to defeat BB&O. William Aldred provided a point and a half. Behind him saw a determined fight back from George Welsh down all the way and 2 down with 3 to play got his games all square after 18 holes to secure vital half points.

SE Boys under 16 champion Aaron Frost withstood an early birdie blitz to eventually win both his games strongly.  This was followed by Neal Pabari gaining an unexpected win over Middlesex having been well down in both his games, proving again the determination of the Hertfordshire team.

The result was in the balance until debutant Thomas Hughes fought off determined challengers to secure maximum points on the day and bring a hard earned victory to Hertfordshire.

George Littlejohn added the icing in the anchor match with good victory over his Middlesex opponent.

It meant that Hertfordshire won the afternoon singles 5-3 over Middlesex and 4 1/2 - 3 1/2 over BB&O.




Related:  Boys match results | Match Result

Under 16s top the league after tough matches at Stanmore

Sat 31st Jul
Hertfordshire Under 16s won their triangular matches against BB&O and Middlesex at Stanmore on July 27 to take a four-point lead at the top of the Under 16 Home Counties league.


After the morning foursomes the boys from Hertfordshire had a slight advantage with a 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 success over both counties.

Middlesex were up against BB&O by the same score.

The successful pairings with wins in each of their matches were William Aldred (Mid-Herts) playing with Neal Pabari (Porters Park) and from George Welsh (South Herts) paired with Thomas Hughes (Porters Park), who answered a late call up that morning due to injury and performed impressively throughout the day. The lead pairing of Elliott Leonard (Harpenden Common) and Aaron Frost (Knebworth) gained a half point with both their games going to the 18th green before finishing all square.
 
The afternoon singles proved equally close games.

Elliot Leonard was 4 up on the 13th tee and looking good for 2 points only to concede the 13 hole after driving into the ditch and then being hit by a birdie run from Robbie Johnson of Middlesex who swept by him to a 2 & 1 win. Elliott held on to defeat BB&O. William Aldred provided a point and a half. Behind him saw a determined fight back from George Welsh down all the way and 2 down with 3 to play got his games all square after 18 holes to secure vital half points.

SE Boys under 16 champion Aaron Frost withstood an early birdie blitz to eventually win both his games strongly.  This was followed by Neal Pabari gaining an unexpected win over Middlesex having been well down in both his games, proving again the determination of the Hertfordshire team.

The result was in the balance until debutant Thomas Hughes fought off determined challengers to secure maximum points on the day and bring a hard earned victory to Hertfordshire.

George Littlejohn added the icing in the anchor match with good victory over his Middlesex opponent.

It meant that Hertfordshire won the afternoon singles 5-3 over Middlesex and 4 1/2 - 3 1/2 over BB&O.




Related:  Boys match results | Match Result

Ward takes Douglas Johns under 15 Open after three-hole play-off

Sat 31st Jul
County Champion Nick Ward won the Douglas Johns Championship (Boys U15 Open) at Harewood Downs on July 29 after a three-hole play-off against Jack Singh-Brar (Bramshaw).

Both players finished on 137 - 1 under par for their two rounds.
Nick parred all 3 play-off holes whereas Jack 3-putted the second extra hole (the 16th) from above the pin. Both had birdie chances at the third extra hole (the 18th) but they both agonisingly shaved the hole.
 
Jack Singh-Brar was tied 1st with local member Tom Butterworth after the opening 18-holes with a 2 under par 67 on the hard downlands course with the ball running and players getting some unusual bounces after the dry weather.

Nick was 4 shots behind after a 2 over par 71. However the afternoon round saw Nick recover with some fine play.

Starting from the 10th tee in the afternoon, with 3 holes to go was 3 under par. He dropped a shot on the long par 4, 7th hole, back into the wind with a 3 putt.

The daunting 201 yds par 3 was next also into the wind. Nick's rescue wood was cleanly struck and put him just off the back left of the green from where he holed his chip shot to immediately get back to 3 under where he finished his afternoon round with a regulation par on the long 9th hole.

On the other half of the course Jack and Tom were not matching their morning rounds. However Jack finished with a gross 70 and Tom 74. Tom won the prize for 1st Nett.

Hertfordshire had other good scores from George Welsh (South Herts) with (72.70) 142 for tied 6th, William Aldred (Mid-Herts) (72,74) 146 12th, Neal Pabari (Porters Park) (73,75) 148, tied 18th, Joe Brooks (Brickendon Grange) (77, 73)  finished on 150.

Carris champion Shinkwin in England Boys squad

Tue 27th Jul
Newly-crowned English boys champion Callum Shinkwin has been named in the 11 strong England Squad for the Boys Home Internationals at Southerness, Scotland, on 3rd - 5th August.


Shinkwin (picture © Tom Ward) from Moor Park, won the English Boys under 18 Championship for the Carris Trophy at Woodhall Spa last week by seven strokes after stunning rounds of 67 and 68 over the testing par 73 Hotchkin Course.

Callum Shinkwin wins Carris Trophy by seven shots

Thu 22nd Jul
Moor Park's Callum Shinkwin won the prestigious Carris Trophy, the English Boys' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, by seven shots at Woodhall Spa on July 22.

Shinkwin produced two sensational rounds of golf over the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa to win.

The Malcolm Reid Salver for the combined aggregate from the Carris and McEvoy Trophies also went to Shinkwin on 563.

Callum is a member of the Hertfordshire County side and the Herts Boys team which has reached the county finals.

A closing round of 68, which followed a morning 67, left him on 281, 11 under par, and seven shots ahead of his nearest challengers, Harry Casey and Paul Lockwood.

Shinkwin, from Moor Park, the traditional home of the Carris Trophy, is the third Hertfordshire player to win the title in the past six years and succeeds Tom Lewis as champion.

"Winning this championship means a lot to me," said Shinkwin. "I've been trying to show I can play in the bigger tournaments. Now I've won one."

So what was Shinkwin's secret? "I don't have a clue but it all came together for me," he added. "But I just hit the ball well and putted well. I just went out and played and I only went in one bunker all day and I got up-and-down from that."

Although Shinkwin has not hit the heights until now, he has enjoyed success in what has been his emerging season. He finished fifth in the McEvoy Trophy, was runner-up in the Hertfordshire Championship and made the cut in the Brabazon Trophy. "I've just played steadily and I've only missed one cut," he admitted.

He now adds his name to an illustrious list of former winners such as Sandy Lyle, Peter Baker, Justin Rose and Ken Brown, another Hertfordshire winner back in 1974. "I'd like to be as successful as they have been," Shinkwin added.

On a day that began bright, brought some rain and produced lightning which forced a 25 minute stoppage of play, Shinkwin's statistics are worth considering. He was 11 under par for 36 holes, found 14 birdies, nine in round three, his final round was bogey-free and he also had an air shot when he flicked his putter at a one inch putt - and missed.

"That was on the 17th this morning when I missed from six feet and then failed to connect with the ball lying on the lip," he admitted.

Knebworth's Aaron Frost takes Under 16 title at SE Boys

Wed 14th Jul
Last-minute reserve Aaron Frost (pictured) from Knebworth won the under 16 title in the SE Boys Championship at Moor Park on July 13. He scored 75 and 71 for a total of 146 to win by three shots from Marco Penge (Worthing).

Frost was only called into the event on the previous day and played with England International Ben Taylor, from Walton Heath. Taylor won the event with 135 (71, 64).

Best placed Herts Boy in the main event was Nicolas Jensen (Batchworth Park) who shot 140 to be five strokes adrift.

Other Herts scores:

James Gough (West Herts) - 75,67 = 142
Jordan Shepherd (Brickendon Grange) - 71, 71 = 142
Jamie Rutherford (Knebworth) - 69, 73 = 142
Sam Cutting (Berkhamsted) - 72, 72 = 144
Luke Groves (Porters Park) 75, 70 = 145
Ben Smith (Sandy Lodge) - 74, 71 = 145
Aaron Frost (Knebworth) 75, 71 = 146
Callum Shinkwin (Moor Park) - 76, 71 = 147
Scott Bailey (Moor Park) - 77, 71 = 148
Robert Patterson (Berkhamsted) - 74, 75 = 149
Joss Gosling (Harpenden) 77, 73 = 150
Evan Omelia (West Herts) -74, 79 = 153
Josh Johnson (Welwyn Garden City) - 80, 77 = 157
William Homan (Harpenden Common) - 87, 73 = 160
Max Westcott (Bishops Stortford) - 83, 83 = 166

Related:  Past Winners | Results

Ward selected to represent EGU in
R&A Junior Open

Fri 9th Jul
Nick Ward (Redbourn),15, newly crowned Hertfordshire County Champion, has been selected to represent The English Golf Union (EGU) in the R&A's Junior Open at Lundin Golf Club on 12th - 14th July.

A member of the England Under 16 Squad, Ward (picture © Tom Ward), was Herts Under 14 Champion in 2007 and Scottish Under 14 Champion a year later.

He also carded a course record 61 at his home club of Redbourn in 2008 and a record 65 at Cuddington in 2009.

That same year, he won the North of England Under 14 Championship, tied fourth in the English Under 14 Championship for the Reid Trophy, and was Hertfordshire Boys Captain. He recently came third in the Scottish Boys Under 16 Championship.

The R&A Junior Open is played every two years. A total of 60 nations were represented in 2008 at Hesketh and it is hoped there will be even more at Lundin. For many, it will be a first taste of international golf and of representing their country.

Hertfordshire's under 16s get off to a winning start - just!

Tue 8th Jun
Herts under-16s got off to a good start in their defence of the league title with wins in their home matches. A tight 6.5-5.5 against BB&O Boys, and a convincing 11-1 win against Beds Boys in these triangular fixtures gave them 4 points on the day.

The morning foursomes against Bedfordshire put the home team in a commanding position at lunch with a 4-0 score. However against BB&O matters were evenly balanced 2-2 after two victories each. The home team lead pair of captain Elliott Leonard (Harpenden Common) & Jac Hicks (East Herts) had the worst possible start and were soon behind with the BB&O pair 3 under par after 8 holes, eventually gaining a resounding 9&7 victory over both counties. However Elliot and Jac recovered to defeat their Bedfordshire opponents 2&1.

Nick Ward (Redbourn) playing with Sam Towler (Woburn and also a member of Letchworth) played solidly to gain two convincing wins; whereas third pair George Light (East Herts) & Aaron Frost (Knebworth) had mixed fortunes losing to BB&O 3&2 and beating Bedfordshire by the same margin. The balance was restored by George Littlejohn (Mill Green) & William Aldred (Mid-Herts) who defeated Bedfordshire 7&5 but against BB&O had a nervous finish, with dormie 3 up they were taken to the last and had to hole a curling putt on the 18th to stay 1Up.

The afternoon singles again proved a tough encounter between the two stronger counties as Bedfordshire despite spirited performances could not match their near rivals and they lost their singles 8-0 to BB&O and 7-1 to Hertfordshire. Tom Pemberton of Stockwood Park gaining their loan success against a battling George Littlejohn.

The matches with Hertfordshire and BB&O proved close but with the leading two players, Nick Ward and Sam Towler gaining 2&1 and 3&2 wins, things looked healthy.

Elliott Leonard went dormie two up against their captain, Will Cooper, and another point appeared to be coming the home teams way only for Will to win the last two holes with birdies for BB&O to secure a halved game.

Jac Hicks playing steady golf and brought in another point with a 2&1 success and only one more point was needed to ensure a victory. However matters were not going the home teams way with William Aldred down on his home ground and both Georges, Littlejohn and Light trailing, it looked decidedly in favour of the visiting team. However anchor man, Aaron Frost, was having a solid afternoon and in command bringing in early and convincing wins by 6&5 in both his matches to secure the vital point and ensure that Hertfordshire gained maximum match points by defeating BB&O by the slimmest of margins 6.5 - 5.5.

The results ensured that Hertfordshire gained 4 league points by beating Bedfordshire 11-1 and BB&O and BB&O 2 points by beating Bedfordshire also 11-1.

The fourth county in this league Middlesex sat out this fixture but host the next triangular match at Stanmore on 27 July against BB&O and Hertfordshire.

Related:  Match Result | Match result

Hertfordshire's under 16s get off to a winning start - just!

Tue 8th Jun
Herts under-16s got off to a good start in their defence of the league title with wins in their home matches. A tight 6.5-5.5 against BB&O Boys, and a convincing 11-1 win against Beds Boys in these triangular fixtures gave them 4 points on the day.

The morning foursomes against Bedfordshire put the home team in a commanding position at lunch with a 4-0 score. However against BB&O matters were evenly balanced 2-2 after two victories each. The home team lead pair of captain Elliott Leonard (Harpenden Common) & Jac Hicks (East Herts) had the worst possible start and were soon behind with the BB&O pair 3 under par after 8 holes, eventually gaining a resounding 9&7 victory over both counties. However Elliot and Jac recovered to defeat their Bedfordshire opponents 2&1.

Nick Ward (Redbourn) playing with Sam Towler (Woburn and also a member of Letchworth) played solidly to gain two convincing wins; whereas third pair George Light (East Herts) & Aaron Frost (Knebworth) had mixed fortunes losing to BB&O 3&2 and beating Bedfordshire by the same margin. The balance was restored by George Littlejohn (Mill Green) & William Aldred (Mid-Herts) who defeated Bedfordshire 7&5 but against BB&O had a nervous finish, with dormie 3 up they were taken to the last and had to hole a curling putt on the 18th to stay 1Up.

The afternoon singles again proved a tough encounter between the two stronger counties as Bedfordshire despite spirited performances could not match their near rivals and they lost their singles 8-0 to BB&O and 7-1 to Hertfordshire. Tom Pemberton of Stockwood Park gaining their loan success against a battling George Littlejohn.

The matches with Hertfordshire and BB&O proved close but with the leading two players, Nick Ward and Sam Towler gaining 2&1 and 3&2 wins, things looked healthy.

Elliott Leonard went dormie two up against their captain, Will Cooper, and another point appeared to be coming the home teams way only for Will to win the last two holes with birdies for BB&O to secure a halved game.

Jac Hicks playing steady golf and brought in another point with a 2&1 success and only one more point was needed to ensure a victory. However matters were not going the home teams way with William Aldred down on his home ground and both Georges, Littlejohn and Light trailing, it looked decidedly in favour of the visiting team. However anchor man, Aaron Frost, was having a solid afternoon and in command bringing in early and convincing wins by 6&5 in both his matches to secure the vital point and ensure that Hertfordshire gained maximum match points by defeating BB&O by the slimmest of margins 6.5 - 5.5.

The results ensured that Hertfordshire gained 4 league points by beating Bedfordshire 11-1 and BB&O and BB&O 2 points by beating Bedfordshire also 11-1.

The fourth county in this league Middlesex sat out this fixture but host the next triangular match at Stanmore on 27 July against BB&O and Hertfordshire.

Related:  Match Result | Match result

County Academy Programme gets off
to a flying start

Sun 6th Jun
The Hertfordshire County Academy Programme got off to a four-way start on the weekend of June 5 and 6, with young players attending the academies at The Hertfordshire, Moor Park, Porters Park, and Redbourn.


More than 160 boy and girl players attended the sessions which were well received by both players and parents.

Hertfordshire coaching coordinator Mark Day said: "Coaches, students and parents have responded very positively to delivery of first sessions held over this weekend. There's been a lot of hard work to get to this stage, but now we're really excited that the coaching has started."

The 2010 County Academy Programme will run through the summer and into the Autumn, with each of the players attending six sessions.

Coaching includes all aspects of the game from coaches based at Hertfordshire clubs.

Hertfordshire win thrilling EGU SE Group qualifier after tie

Thu 3rd Jun
Herts Boys 6-man team won a thrilling victory in the EGU SE Boys Qualifier at Ealing on June 3 to go through to the National Final for the first time since 1993. The result came down to the discarded scores after Herts and Essex tied.

Captain Tomasz Anderson is pictured receiving the trophy from the Chairman of the EGU South East Group, David Parrett, with the team. From the left: Sam Cutting (Berkhamsted), Laurie Owen (Letchworth, reserve), David Parrett, Daniel Ellis-Banbury (Letchworth), Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green), Callum Shinkwin (Moor Park), Nick Ward (Redbourn), Ben Smith (Sandy Lodge).

Herts, supported by Gatorade, trailed at the half way stage, their 5 from 6 score of 367 being ten behind leaders Essex.

But in the afternoon, some outstanding scoring saw them catch Essex with one player from each side left on the golf course. Sam Cutting (Berkhamsted) led the way with 66 to add to his morning round of 70, and his 136 total won him the individual prize for the day.

As it turned out, Daniel Ellis-Banbury's putt for birdie on his last hole was the deciding putt. His score of 77 pipped the Essex 6th man by one shot, and sent Herts through to the final at Goswick Kinks, Berwick in August.

Result:

722: Herts, Essex
731: Surrey
738: Sussex, Hampshire
741: Middlesex
742: Kent
755: BB&O, Norfolk
793: Suffolk
803: Bedfordshire

Herts scores
Ben Smith: 151 (79, 72)
Sam Cutting: 136 (70,66)
Daniel Ellis Banbury: 154 (77,77)
Nick Ward: 145 (70, 75)
Callum Shinkwin: 146 (76, 70)
Tomasz Anderson: 146 (74, 72)

Porters Park trio take Junior Champion Club in style

Tue 1st Jun
Porters Park won the 2010 Junior Champion Club at Chesfield Downs on June 1 with an impressive display of scoring. Their team of Jack Frances, Rhys Jacobs, and Luke Hynes (pictured) beat off the strong challenge of Berkhamsted by two points.

On many occasions, Berkhamsted's trio of Owen Gronow, Jake Little, and Sammy Russell would have won with their total of 80 points in the best 2 from 3 event. But Jack Frances (42pts) and Luke Hynes (40) had outstanding rounds to clinch the cup, while third man Rhys Jacobs also shot 37 points.

On a rainy day, scoring was surprisingly good. CSS came down from 72 to 71, and Jack Frances and Owon Gronow had the best scores of the day with 42pts.

Porters Park now go forward to the national final, which is at Malton, Yorkshire, in August.

Result:

82: Porters Park
80: Berkhamsted
75: Welwyn Garden City; Knebworth
74: Bishops Stortford; Brickendon Grange
73: Redbourn; East Herts
72: South Herts; Sandy Lodge; West Herts; Moor Park
71: Old Fold Manor; Mid-Herts
70: Chesfield Downs; Mill Green
69: Harpenden Common
68: Aldwickbury Park
67: Verulam; Ashridge
62: Brookmans Park
59: Letchworth
58: Harpenden



Related:  Past Winners | Individual results

Talent days a great success. Next date - May 30 at Porters Park

Mon 26th Apr
More than 100 boys and girls took part in the first Herts talent days on April 24 and 25 at The Hertfordshire, Letchworth, and Redbourn. The next Talent Day is at Porters Park on May 30. Click "more" then the link above the picture to download the form.

The talent days were an unqualified success.

Hertfordshire Coaching Coordinator Mark Day, of Whipsnade Park, said: "It was a fantastic turn out. All of the young golfers had a really enjoyable experience, which was a key part of the talent days."

The programme is aimed at boys and girls aged 9 and 15 who are not part of the present County squad coaching programme. Following these days, it is planned to invite those selected to move on to a County-wide coaching programme based at County Training Academies to provide the necessary coaching support to enable the young golfers to attain their full potential and to have the opportunity to progress to the county junior squads.

Mark said: "We have another talent day on May 30 at Porters Park. Then, in early June, we will select around 100 boys and girls to go into the Hertfordshire County Academy programme where they will receive focussed coaching to try and improve their games.

"It's important for all young golfers who took part in the Talent Days and keen to improve to find a coach/mentor to help them. The County Academy Programme is a support programme to help maximise the coaching they are receiving at club level. We have some incredibly talented coaches in the county who have an infectious enthusiasm and an abundance of knowledge they are desperate to share. I would encourage all junior golfers to keep diaries of how they are progressing, and to constantly try to improve...whilst also having fun."

Each Talent Day, run by a team of 16 county coaches, followed a similar structure of:
 
FUNdamental Movement
FUNdamental Putting
FUNdamental Chipping
FUNdamental Long Game
 
The emphasis was on playing games rather than testing.

For more information on Talent Days and the County Academy programme,  please contact Mark Day, County Academy Coordinator, on 01442 842310 or 07958 003756 or by email at pro@whipsnadeparkgolf.co.uk

Related:  Word form/May 30

April 24 and 25. Herts talent days for golfers aged 9 to 15

Fri 16th Apr
Hertfordshire's first junior talent days will be on April 24 and 25 at The Hertfordshire, Letchworth and Redbourn. The programme is aimed at boys and girls aged 9 and 15 who are not part of the present County squad coaching programme. Our session with a top local golf coach is FREE.


Following these days, it is planned to invite those selected to move on to a County wide coaching programme based at County Training Academies to provide the necessary coaching support to enable the young golfers to attain their full potential and to have the opportunity to progress to the county junior squads.


Boys and girls do not have to be a member of a club, or have a handicap.
They must be between 9 and 15 years old.


VENUES & DATES

The Hertfordshire: Saturday April 24, 2-4pm

Letchworth: Sunday, April 25, 2-4pm
Redbourn: Sunday, April 25, 2-4pm

The agreed aims of the Herts County Academy Programme are to;

1. Help young golfers to become successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve.

2. Help young golfers to become confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

3. Help young golfers become responsible members who make a positive contribution to their golf club.


Each talent session will aim to host 32 young golfers to be split into 4 groups rotating around 4 stations and our aim is to identify young golfers best suited and ready to benefit from a position in the academies.

Each session will follow a similar structure of:

Station 1 will be FUNdamental Movement
Station 2 will be FUNdamental Putting
Station 3 will be FUNdamental Chipping
Station 4 will be FUNdamental Long Game

The emphasis will be on playing games rather than testing!
If you know of a junior golfer who would benefit from this initiative, please encourage them to register for one of the Open Assessment Days.

All you have to do is choose a venue to suit you, fill in the the form and send it back to us.

Click on the application form link above the picture to download the form.

Return this form preferably by email to office@hertsgolfunion.com OR by post to:

Open Talent Assessment Days, Hertfordshire Golf Partnership, County Academy Co-ordinator, Hertfordshire Golf Union, Chesfield Downs, Jacks Hill, Graveley, Stevenage, Herts SG4 7EQ

Any queries please contact Mark Day, County Academy Coordinator, on 01442 842310 or 07958 003756

Related:  Application form

Hertfordshire U16s too strong for the Light Blues

Tue 13th Apr
Hertfordshire U16 Boys enjoyed a comfortable 12-3 victory in their annual friendly against Cambridgeshire hosted this year at Mill Green.

The morning foursomes set up a sound 4 - 1 lead with solid victories for the front four pairings of Elliott Leonard/Sam Towler -6&4, William Aldred/Neal Pabari - 7&6, Aaron Frost/Joe Brooks - 5&3 and the two Georges, Light and Littlejohn - 8&7. Only Garry Fenton playing with Matthew Cathcart found life difficult playing against their opponents strongest pairings losing 4&3.
 
The afternoon singles proved equally one way with 8 solid victories, however two matches went the distance with team captain Elliott Leonard losing down the 18th and in the final pulsating match William Aldred and Reza Bande-Ali had a terrific ding- dong encounter. William was 2 down with 4 holes to play as they went into Mill Green's own Amen Corner. He won the par 3 - 15th hole to get it back to one, then with a birdie putt dropping on the par 5 - 16th got it back to all square. On the long par 4 - 17th, Bande-Ali put his 2nd shot to 4 feet. William cut out by a tree could only chip up short of the green but then holed his chip shot only for Bande-Ali to follow him in for his birdie. On the final hole a par 3 of 186 yards William put his tee shot to the back of the green whereas his opponent knocked his 4-iron to 5 feet. William's birdie attempt just slid by and Bande-Ali holed his short putt to secure Cambridgeshire only their third point of the day.
 
The matches was played in excellent spirit and sets up Hertfordshire in confident mood to defend their inter-county U16 League title when their first match will be against stronger opponents in Bedfordshire and BB&O at Mid-Herts on Friday 4 June.

Related:  Boys match results | Match Result

Ben Smith wins Herts Boys Championship at Brocket Hall

Fri 9th Apr
Ben Smith (Sandy Lodge) won the Boys Championship (supported by Gatorade) at Brocket Hall on April 8. Rounds of 69 and 71 held off strong challenges from defending champion Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green) and Nick Ward (Redbourn).

On a glorious day, Brocket's Palmerston course proved a tough challenge, but Ben Smith and Nick Ward both shot morning 69s to lead the field by three from defending champion Tomasz Anderson.

Afternoon scoring was better with Anderson posting the best score of 70. Ward shot level par 73, but Ben Smith's 71 was good enough for him to win him the trophy.

Nick also won the under-16 Malcolm Reid Trophy. Runner-up was Sam Towler, of Letchworth, with 148 (77/71).

The first round of the Championship acted as a qualifier for the Abu Dhabi Junior Championship presented by the Daily Telegraph. Nick Ward won this on the back nine from Ben Smith.


Result

140: Ben Smith (Sandy Lodge)
142: Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green); Nick Ward (Redbourn)
148: Sam Towler (Letchworth)
150: Luke Colgate (Berkhamsted), Daniel Ellis-Banbury (Letchworth)
151: Jac Hicks (East Herts); Sam Cutting (Berkhamsted); Jamie Rutherford (Knebworth).

Related:  Past Winners | Scores

Sandy Lodge trio take Herts Boys Team Championship

Fri 9th Apr
Sandy Lodge won the Team competition at the Hertfordshire Boys Championship (supported by Gatorade) at Brocket Hall on April 8. The team was led by 2010 Boys Champion Ben Smith, with support from Shaun Brosnan and Alex Berg-Capin.

Their total of 296 was two ahead of Letchworth and three ahead of Mill Green. The best two from three am and pm counted towards the total.

Pictured with the championship pennant are Ben Smith and Shaun Brosnan.

Result:

296: Sandy Lodge
298: Letchworth
299: Mill Green
300: Berkhamsted
304: Redbourn, Knebworth


Related:  Past Winners

Hertfordshire boys take Essex to the wire in Cheshunt Salver

Wed 7th Apr
Strength up the stretch helped Essex under 18s and under 16s retain the Cheshunt Salver against Hertfordshire's boys at Knebworth on April 6.

Winning the last hole in 6 of the 12 afternoon singles proved the difference as Essex clinched the trophy 10-8.

Herts, who are supported by Gatorade, had led 3.5-2.5 after the morning foursomes.

In the afternoon, there were wins for Luke Colgate (Berkhamsted), local player Jamie Rutherford, and Harpenden Common's Elliott Leonard.

Nick Ward (Redbourn) managed to win the 18th, and Matthew Cathcart (Batchworth Park) managed a half, but the hole proved a decider in other games as Essex scrambled over the line.

Pictured are the two captains, Ben Herbert (Essex) and Tomasz Anderson (Herts).

Related:  Match Result | Match result

Hertfordshire Under 18s come
up to scratch against Verulam

Wed 31st Mar
The annual fixture hosted by Verulam Scratch team against the county boys U18 provided some good matches but the boys proved too strong again, winning 9.5 - 2.5 and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of both Verulam and their course.

The morning foursomes provided some competitive games although course management remains a steep learning curve for the boys! They lunched with a 3 - 1 lead with successes for pairings Nick Ward and Jamie Rutherford, Ben Smith and Laurie Owen. The lead game of Tomasz Anderson and Jordan Shepherd won with a par on the last hole while Daniel Ellis Banbury and Marcus Fox were beaten on the 17th.
 
The afternoon singles provided some interesting matches. Again the top match went to the 18th green after Junior Captain, Tomasz Anderson had been pegged back from an early 3 hole lead by a brace of birdies and the game was eventually halved.

The youngest member of the team and England U16 squad member Nick Ward got up early in his match and established a 6-hole lead before being pegged back and finally saw his game completed on the 17th green.

Laurie Owen played tidily to win convincingly 4 & 3. Jamie Rutherford and Marcus Fox won by the same margin whereas Jordan Shepherd playing more consistently than in the morning  and putting well won on the 17th when his opponent went out of bounds.

Ben Smith was out of sorts with a heavy cold and suffered the only singles loss to the clubs' newest scratch team recruit, Gareth Hodges, who was 2 under when they shook hands on the 14th green despite Ben, in his attempt to close the gap, driving some 285 yards into the greenside bunker but with a poor lie failed to get up and down.

In the anchor role Daniel Ellis Banbury proved too consistent and won easily.
 
In the last 10 years the boys have lost just 3 of these matches  with their last loss in 2004.



Related:  Boys match results | Match Result

Shinkwin takes Herts Schools championship on countback

Wed 24th Mar
Callum Shinkwin (Queen School and Moor Park) won the Herts Schools Championship at Whitehill on March 23 with a level par 72 on count-back from Tomasz Anderson (John Henry Newman School and Mill Green).

Third was Marcus Fox with 75 (Roundwood Park and Harpenden Common).

The Under 16 Trophy went to Nick Ward ( St Albans Tutors and Redbourn) with a gross  78. Runner up was William Aldred (Haberdashers' Aske's and Mid-Herts) with a 79 on count-back from 3rd place Elliott Leonard (Sir John Lawes and Harpenden Common).

Zara Houchin (Cheshunt) won the girls stableford competition with 39 points from Alice Hewson (Berkhamsted) who had 37points.

Provisional team for the South-East regional championship at Eaton GC (Norwich) on Tuesday 1 June is:
Callum Shinkwin
Tomasz Anderson
George Abbott
Marcus Fox
Alice Hewson
Zara Houchin
Katherine Carragher


Tring won the team competition with 72 points from Ashlyns and Roundwood Park, who both had 71 points. Tring now qualify for the English Schools' Team Championship at Came Down (Dorset) on 7 July. 

CSS was 74 on a cool windy day with some testing pin positions.

Related:  Boys Results

Hertfordshire Under 18s too strong for Ashridge Scratch team

Sun 21st Mar
On a damp showery day the county U18 Boys team gained some revenge in inflicting a heavy defeat on an Ashridge scratch team that had defeated the younger U16 Boys two weeks earlier.
 

The strength of this year's boys squad system was evident with some fine performances - not least from U18 debutant Ben Smith who was 5 under par when winning his afternoon singles on the 15th green.

The scene was set with some fine morning foursomes play leading to a comfortable 4-0 lunch time lead . 2010 captain Tomasz Anderson, playing with Robbie Patterson, led the way and were never behind before winning 4 & 3. Luke Colgate and Callum Shinkwin had a good battle before running out 2 & 1 winners whereas the last two matches went to the 18th green with both consolidating their 1 up position by halving the last.
 
The afternoon singles proved equally fruitful for the boys with good victories all the way through.

Tomasz Anderson whilst not always at his best proved that by chipping in twice he could sustain his lead when it looked likely he would lose holes. Luke Colgate was always up in his match. Callum Shinkwin, playing former England Boys' International, Stephen Richards, shared holes until Callum finally broke his resolve on the 15th and 16th holes. After a ding dong game and the only match to go to the wire Robbie Patterson rolled in a birdie putt to secure the narrowest of victories. Daniel Ellis Banbury was 5 up at the turn before a spirited fight back saw him eventually win on the 16th green. Will Chambers played steadily to hold on to an early lead while Sam Cutting won with a birdie on the long par 5 17th with a good approach wood and long down hill lag putt.

Pictured are, from left, Will Chambers, Sam Cutting, Callum Shinkwin, Luke Colgate, Tomasz Anderson, Robbie Patterson, Daniel Ellis-Banbury, Ben Smith.

Related:  Boys match results

Under 16s put up brave fight
against Ashridge

Tue 9th Mar
Herts Boys U16s put up a brave battle against a strong and very hospitable Ashridge scratch team on March 6. Although a score of 8 - 4 looks very convincing 6 matches (50 per cent) went to the 18th whereas a further two finished on 17th.

The home side are looking to consolidate their position in Division 2 this year after gaining promotion.

In the afternoon singles Aaron Frost lost at the last having been 3 up on 12th tee.

Jac Hicks was never ahead but with a fighting spirit secured a half by winning the last hole. Garry Fenton was 1 up on the 18th tee but lost the last.

There were some fine performances with wins from Matthew Cathcart and Elliott Leonard in the afternoon and from foursomes pairing of George Light and Aaron Frost for the only morning point by virtue of a long birdie putt at the last.
 
Overall the boys were outplayed on and around the tricky and renowned Ashridge greens which were in exceptional condition for the time of year but they will learn from this experience.

Related:  Match Result

Herts Under 18s win annual challenge against Under 16s

Thu 18th Feb
The annual match for the Herts Boys Challenge Shield was at Berkhamsted on Wednesday 17 February with the older boys prevailing yet again.

This annual fixture is the first opportunity county officials have of seeing these young men play and all will be challenging for places in the U18 and U16 team throughout the year.

Although the older boys proved too strong this year winning convincingly by 15 points to 3 points the score does not reflect on the closeness of many of the individual matches.

The morning foursomes were closely fought and an surprising early lead was established when the U16 foursomes pairings of Elliott Leonard and Nick Ward defeated Daniel Ellis Banbury and Marcus Fox 3 & 2 only for the scores to be levelled with the experienced pairing of Luke Colgate and Callum Shinkwin prevailing by the same margin over William Aldred and George Light. The U16's went one up again with a terrific result for Aaron Frost and Garry Fenton over Jamie Rutherford and Jordan Shepherd by 2 holes. However strength in depth proved the advantage as the U18's then won the last three foursomes matches to lunch 4 - 2 up.

The afternoon singles were ding dong affairs with very little in matches but the U16's could only muster 1 point with a win from Garry Fenton who repeated his morning success over Jamie Rurtherford this time by 3 & 1 with some sound putting. Many matches were much closer than the scores appear. Young William Aldred was 4 down after 6 holes to Callum Shinkwin but battled back to take him to the last hole before losing  by 1 hole. All of the boys can take heart from their performances at this stage of the year and it was noticeable on the spirit the matches were played in which augurs well for the teams in the forthcoming events during the year.

Related:  Match Result | Results