Golf is more than a game… Yesterday marked the end of my time as a very proud County dad as my youngest son George made his last appearance for The Hampshire under 18 boys team, now being too old for selection. Through golf my sons have had amazing opportunities, meeting so many great people along the way, people that have developed them into fine young men with many great life skills. I’m so very proud of them both, always representing our County Crest with the highest amount of honour making over 100 appearances between them. Our Journey began 8-years-ago with Tommi back then being selected for the Hampshire under 14’s, at the trials he knocked his ball on the par-4 18th hole at Paultons and holed out for an eagle two our manager back then Mike Gregory said: “We’ll have him”. Tommi went onto to reach one handicap age 14 and loved his time at County, he made many friends including when he qualified for the England under 14’s championships, he was drawn out to play with Alex Fitzpatrick the younger brother of Matt, what an amazing young man he is and they’ve remained friends since. George was soon to follow and was in the Hampshire Team aged 11, that year he got picked to play for Hampshire Under 16’s also an amazing highlight of which was a half against 15-year-old England international Charlie Strickland. Going on to qualify for the England Under 14, 16 and 18 championships George reached scratch handicap aged 15, he is still one of the youngest ever boys to qualify to play in the England Under 18 Carris Trophy.
Yesterday’s match saw the county team take on the Hampshire PGA trainees in the Paul Hurring memorial Match at Test Valley, George and his playing partner Tom Chalk found themselves six-down after six in the morning foursomes to fight back on the back-nine to narrowly lose one-down. The afternoon singles saw him have an amazing birdie battle in a brilliant match, George coming out the victor 2&1 his text to me last evening was: “Well, there she is, My Hampshire Junior Career done. Ended with quite possibly the best intense and close match I’ve ever played, with one of the best blokes I’ve played with. I came out on top with a 2&1 win, what a way to end”
That was a moment, I’m so proud of them both for all their achievements and making, from our first games together of a little 9-hole Texas scramble to taking my money and not taking it easy on dad with birdie after birdie, golf has been a brilliant sport for me and my Sons and long may it continue. |