Wee Wonders hold Isle of Wight Qualifier

Posted on 02/05/09. By Christopher Boulter

The Farringford Hotel, Freshwater once again kindly agreed to allow the use of their golf course for the Isle of Wight qualifier for this national tournament, held on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May 2009.

19 boys and girls registered to take part, in age groups 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 & 11/12. The weather was kind, (unusual for this event!) ensuring that all competitors enjoyed themselves.

The format was a "flag" competition, with each competitor progressing as far as possible around the course in the 36 shots allowed and then putting in his or her flag where the last stroke ended up. The standard of golf throughout was very high, with all competitors showing good skills and knowledge of the game.

In the boys' 11/12 group, George Faulkner of Freshwater Bay Golf Club played an excellent game, reaching the11th green, whilst Daniel Mew from Westridge Golf Centre was runner up, finishing on the 10th green.

The boys' 9/10 was won Michael Mitchell (Shanklin & Sandown), who was runner up last year, and who reached the fringe of the 11th green. There was a close match for the girls aged 9/10, Danielle Rowley of Ryde Golf Club was the winner on the 4th green, whilst Courtney Millar (Freshwater Bay Golf Club) was runner-up, her flag going in on the 4th fairway.

The boys' 7/8 age group was well contested, with Max Hill, of Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club, finishing beside the 9th green to win for the second year in a row, thus pipping Jonathan Hatch-Wheatley of Freshwater, who holed out on the 7th.

The youngest competitors were in the boys 5/6 age group, in which Nicholas Matthews from Newport Golf Club reached the 4th green, thus edging out James Meadows, (Freshwater Bay) whose flag finished in the 4th fairway..

All competitors received a certificate and golfing gifts from HSBC Wee Wonders and a bottle of pop and bar of chocolate from the local organisers, Peter Hammond and James Veal (the golf professionals at Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club and Freshwater Bay Golf Club respectively) and Chris Boulter. After the event, Peter Hammond congratulated the competitors on taking part and commented on the high standards of skill and behaviour shown.

The winners in each age group have the chance to go to the Regional finals at Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent in June and if successful there, to the National Finals at St Andrews in September.