Alexandra Retains Stonham Junior Players Champ

Players from 2017 Stonham Juniors Players Champ

Alexandra Rock, a 13-year-old who travelled from Prague to compete, chipped and putted the final green to win the 2017 Stonham Junior Players Championship title by 3 shots and retain the title she won in 2016. Her score of even par 29 was the best score in recent years and only bettered by Alastair Hall’s score of 27 in 2003. Alex who lives in Prague, is a member of Podebrady Golf Club and amazingly now has a handicap of five. In second place was the 2015 winner, 11-year-old Charlie Goodridge from Bury St Edmunds who scored a 32 (3 over par).
 
The Stonham Barns Players Championship started at Stonham Barns in 2001 and has been played every year since. Over 500 juniors have played in the event over the years with some previous winners going on to become county players and even England internationals. In addition to rewarding the winners one of the main aims of these events is to encourage players of all standards to come along, have fun and enjoy playing some competitive golf.
 
Although this event was played on a bright sunny day the winds were bitingly cold and well done to all the players for completing the 9 holes. There were four age categories and the winner of the Under 8 was Beatrice Meadows who scored a 45. The Under 10’s was won by Kieran Lewin with a score of 43. The Under 12’s was won by Charlie Goodridge with a score of 32 and the Under 15’s of course won by the overall winner Alexandra Rock.
 
This event was played using Big HOLE Golf which uses larger 8’ golf holes. Big HOLE Golf which was developed by Murray Blair in Australia. The concept is now becoming popular all over the world as a way of getting increased participation into golf – QUICKER ROUNDS – MAKES GOLF FUN – HAVE LESS PUTTS. Stonham Barns was the first course in the UK to convert to Big Hole Golf and the feedback from all the players has been great, many saying how much they enjoyed the new format. Big HOLE Golf UK is based at Stonham Barns and they are promoting the use of Big HOLE Golf kits around the country. For more information call them on 01449 711545 or visit their website page www.stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk/big-hole-golf.
 
Every year Stonham Barns Golf organises eight junior tournaments for ages 4-15 with the aim to give juniors the opportunity to play some competitive golf from a young age in a relaxed friendly environment. More details of all Stonham Barns junior events for 2018 can be found on their website www.stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk/junior-tournaments.

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