SALJGA took a strong team to Wentworth on 11 July for the annual match against Wentworth juniors but were unable to return with the trophy.
The match was played as a 4-ball better ball scratch competition on the Edinburgh Course.
SALJGA was represented by Callum Graham, Ewan Scott, Rachel Hanlon, Ian Redford, Cameron Joy, Iain Watson and Alan Tulleth and was captained by James White. James and Callum took an early lead in their tie and were 2 up after 4 holes but were unable to maintain this standard and lost on the fifteenth hole. Rachel and Ewan fought hard but were always behind and lost on the sixteenth. Ian and Cameron had an excellent tussle against their opponents and were very disappointed to lose on the final hole. Iain and Alan found the tree-lined course difficult to navigate and were unable to prolong their tie beyond the fourteenth hole.
The Wentworth team boasted two players who represent England and a boy who plays off scratch. The advantage that was gained by the home side in playing a course that is completely different to the links courses of St Andrews, proved a huge hurdle that could not be surmounted with a single practice round.
Nick Randerson, Junior Golf Co-ordinator, said, “Although SALJGA lost the match everybody enjoyed the weekend and it also provided an excellent insight into the standard of play necessary to beat these talented players from south of the border and the techniques required to play a tree-lined parkland course. We look forward to the return at St Andrews next year.”