Hawes shines in strong showing from Norfolk Under-16s
Louis Hawes made the top three and Norfolk Under-16s finished runner-up in respective individual and team tournaments staged at Colne Valley Golf Club in Essex.
Royal Norwich golfer Hawes played with patience and skill in the Skevington Salver, comprising 32 boys from Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and the host county.
After the morning play staged over nine holes, Hawes signed for a two-over-par tally. During the 18-hole afternoon action, he battled hard to shoot 76.
That left him at eight-over for the 27-hole tournament and tied for third place, five strokes back from the outright winner.
Fellow Norfolk golfer Toby Lewin posted a very creditable top-five finish and Liam Caffyn took ninth place.
Essex dominated the eight-man team tournament to win the Bob Bagshaw Trophy on a total of 673 – 24 shots clear of second-placed Norfolk.
Royal Norwich golfer Anthony Coppola enjoyed a memorable moment when he eagled the 312-yard par-4 seventh hole.
Coppola unleashed a mighty drive to find the front of the green and then stepped up to roll home a 30-foot-plus putt for his two.
Norfolk Under-16s manager Greg Caffyn said: “We came to try and win the tournament, but finishing second to a very good Essex side is still a decent result. Especially so, when you consider the course offered a tough test and the fast greens, alongside some tricky pin positions, proved challenging.
“Louis Hawes’ top-three finish in the individuals’ competition was a strong performance, while Toby Lewin and Liam Caffyn can be pleased with their top-10 efforts.
“There were plenty of other positives and the experience will really help the development of two or three of the younger players.”
Photos (credit Rushmer PR)
