Twelve-year old Bradley Chrystie scooped top honours at the Junior Academy Championship held on Sunday 18th September at Cottesmore Golf and Country Club.
This was Bradley’s first competition since he joined the Academy this year. He watched other juniors playing in the Summer Masters and decided he wanted to be part of it!
Winning the Junior Academy prize was no easy win as standing on the eighth tee he was level with fellow competitor Daniel Barnes who was playing well.
His tremendous performance gave him second place overall and placed him in the top three in the Order of Merit.
Not to be out done, Daniel's brother Connor also had a fantastic event, winning the Under 9's section.
He has put himself in the running to dethrone Josh Dance in the Under 9's Order of Merit. There is no question that the under 9's competitors will be battling it out over the next couple of years with Connor Barnes, Sebastian Lewis and the fast improving Richard Bailey all within a couple of shots of each other.
The under 11's Order of Merit is the toughest this year with four players - Conrad Lewis, Harry 'Boomer' Potts, Alex Rogers and Kane Minter-Young all within ten points of each other with only one event to go.
The tournament, played on the Phoenix, was ‘flag’ competition where each player has 36 shots around the course and the player who gets the furthest wins.
Bradley had an excellent round as he was just short of the ninth flag with his last shot.
Group winners were:
Under 13s – Bradley Chrystie
Under 11s – Harry Potts
Under 9s – Connor Barnes
Under 7s – Josh Dance
Under 15 girls – Heather Bailley
The young players at the academy are coached by Cottesmore professional, Calum Callan.
Throughout the year they have a mix of group and individual coaching plus on-course practice where they also learn golf etiquette.
Calum Callan said: “Starting early gives them a better chance to master the game and helps boost their confidence.
“The Academy is going from strength to strength; this year we have increased to five age groups and a girl’s section. This year some of the older boys have moved on to become full junior members of the main club.”
The Academy operates at weekends throughout the year, playing a series of tournaments and competitions including and order of merit, junior championship and player of the year award.
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