Rochester’s Oliver McDonnell has had a month to remember.

The 13-year-old holed the winning putt for Rochester & Cobham as they beat Boughton to GSR Junior4somes League finals day glory at Sundridge Park - just days after earning a call-up to the 2024/25 under-18 South East England squad.

Membership of the squad doesn’t mean immediate involvement in upcoming matches, but instead provides a pathway to selection for the England boys’ team with a focus on specific, advanced golf preparation and physical and mental training programmes.

However McDonnell already appears a natural when it comes to playing with pressure after helping Rochester & Cobham win finals day on a second extra hole.

“I really enjoy playing as part of a team,” he said.

“I perform well under pressure and my coaches always tell me to stay in the present so I was just trying to treat it like any other putt, really, just concentrating on starting the ball on line.

“It was slightly more nerve wracking [though] as I didn’t want to let my team down.

“Being selected for the England regional squad is an honour. I feel as if it’s reward for the hard work I put into my game.”

Rochester & Cobham, whose winning line-up also featured Maidstone’s Finley White, Gravesend’s Michael Haywood, Kobi Smith, from Keston, near Bromley, Thomas McManus, from Gravesend, and Harry Fryer, of Walderslade, reached the finale after topping the competition’s West division ahead of eight other clubs.

Boughton beat five other sides to top spot in the East group while divisional runners-up Knole Park and Canterbury qualified for the Plate final, with Canterbury winning 3-0.

Junior organiser Richard Jarmak is keen to celebrate the strength in depth among Rochester & Cobham’s youngsters.

"The League and finals event that the juniors won was a team affair,” he said.

“We had six players featuring on the finals day from an extremely strong 12 junior Rochester & Cobham squad and another 20 fantastic juniors waiting in the wings to graduate into the top 12.

"It is safe to say that Rochester & Cobham's junior section is the best in the county, with more county players across all age groups than any other club.

"We have such tremendous support from specific club committees, management and our adult membership. Combining this with a top-class golf course and fantastic practice facilities makes Rochester & Cobham a breeding ground for junior golfers across the area."