FOR the first time in its 87-year history, the final of Wilmslow Golf Club’s Hunter Trophy was contested by two juniors.
Sam Johnson and Sam Hall battled it out over 36 holes to decide the club’s scratch matchplay knockout tournament, with the former winning two-up to take home the trophy.
Sam Johnson and beaten finalist Sam Hall with Wilmslow GC vice-captain Berkeley Thirsk
Club records show that very few juniors have been involved at this level before and never has the final been contested by two junior members who are both top team players for Cheshire Boys.
Johnson, who has also won Astbury GC’s Scratch Championship and the Cheshire Boys Championship this year, stormed into a five-hole lead.
Sam Johnson plays out of a bunker during the Hunter Trophy final
Sam Hall chips during the final
Despite Hall, who is also a member of Styal Golf Club, fighting back to reduce the lead, Johnson held on to claim the historic prize, which was presented to him by Wilmslow vice-captain Berkeley Thirsk.
Sam Johnson with the Hunter Trophy
Having now completed his A-levels, Johnson will now enjoy a gap year to develop his golf before taking up a scholarship in the USA next year.
Wilmslow also hosted the finals of the East Cheshire Ladies League’s four divisions, which involved players from 38 clubs playing in team matchplay competitions.
Hazel Grove edged out Marple in the Business Ladies final while the A and B team finals were won by Astbury and Alsager respectively and Tytherington took home the Plate competition.
Over at Styal, Tobias Stant was in unstoppable form as he dominated the club’s Junior Championship.
He posted a superb 63 to finish well clear of Frederick Wilson (70), with Doug Christopher and Alfie Anderson both a shot further back.
The Styal seniors played their final medal championship round, with John Pickerill winning via a card play-off having finished alongside David O’Brien on 66 – two less than Nick Gillings and John Parr.
The seniors champion over six rounds is Paul Jones (416), who finished ahead of Roger McCabe (419) and Stephen Atherton (420).
Frances Purdy won a card play-off to decide the ladies’ Sumer Cup as she and Hilary Boyce both finished on 14 – one more than Gayle Blackburn.
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