Glory for Rochester & Cobham and Langley Park golf clubs at Srixon Junior 4somes League finals
Published: 05:00, 14 October 2021
Youngsters from Rochester & Cobham and Langley Park added more silverware to their clubs' roll of honour last weekend.
Rochester & Cobham won the plate final against Littlestone and Langley Park took championship honours at Boughton's expense in the Srixon Junior 4somes League, held at Royal Blackheath Golf Club.
The event was one of only two inter-club competitions in Kent for juniors this year following Covid-19. And having been denied so much competitive golf in the last 18 months, the players could have been forgiven any nerves.
But the disrupted schedule, and the grand surroundings of Royal Blackheath - the oldest club in England, founded in 1608 - provided a challenge they overcame with flying colours.
The teams were made up of three foursomes pairs playing to handicap, and with an average of 6.7 the standard was high.
Unsurprisingly, the matches were closely-fought. The plate final needed an extra hole after Rochester & Cobham, runners-up of the West Division, and Littlestone, from the East, tied their match.
The Championship contest followed with Langley Park facing a Boughton team in their third consecutive final, and despite Boughton's experience Langley Park ran out 2-1 winners.
Their win means they host the tournament next year.
Royal Blackheath's club captain, Martin Leather, handed out the prizes - generously supplied by long-standing supporters of the league - to the winning teams.
The win was Langley Park's first in the competition and captain Holly Grey paid tribute to players and supporters.
She said: "A personal thank-you to all of those who played in and supported the Langley Srixon team.
"The win this year is the first time the Langley junior team has won this prestigious competition. This was accomplished by winning every match played, an achievement which should not be underestimated.
"Also a special thank-you to Akin Hassan for being a fantastic junior organiser, whose support and approach has allowed the team to become bonded and supportive of each other.
"And thanks to our club captain, Brian Smith, who supported us during our final round at Royal Blackheath."
League administrator Mark Timlett acknowledged the volunteers who made the event possible.
He said: "A big thank-you to all involved, especially the junior organisers and parents, in what was a difficult year for arranging matches in crowded club calendars."
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Richard Trevena