The 2020 Bank Holiday Weekend in August was one like no other. An 'All England, All Joe' final at the R&A British Amateur Championship saw our very own Joe Harvey and Joe Long go head to head in a performance that made us all very proud. Joe Long went on to take home the Trophy and will be invited to play at The Masters, The Open and The US Open in 2021...amazing stuff
Meanwhile back at home, the 104th County AM championship took place at Knowle Golf Club, the first Championship played at Knowle since 2005. Despite the recent rain, the course was presented superbly, and we were looked after brilliantly by the host club. A real credit to a club that has been a tremendous supporter of our County at every level for many, many years.
Jack Cope (The Players Club) was the man of the moment, regaining the trophy that he won at Cotswold Hills in 2017 just four weeks after being crowned the English Amateur Champion.
Jack took a four-shot lead after the 1st Round with a superb round of 65, and that gap was never reduced throughout the event, with an overall winning score of 267 (13 under par), containing 21 birdies and 3 eagles.
A 66 in round two saw him take a four-shot lead overnight from Tom Workman (Minchinhampton), with Harrison Ottley-Woodd (Cotswold Hills) a further shot back on 137
Jack’s second successive 66 in round three extended his lead to eight shots from Jake Phillips (Cotswold Hills) who moved up the leader board following a 67 that included five birdies and a concluding level par round of 70 saw Jack take the title by a huge margin of eight shots with defending champion Nick Day (Henbury) finishing 3rd on 282.
Jake Phillips (Cotswold Hills) finished runner up for the 1st time, following three other top-four finishes in the last three years.
The team event for The Winterbotham Cup was won by Cotswold Hills (Jake Phillips, Harrison Ottley-Woodd and Charlie McLean), whilst the Peter Scott Trophy for the leading Under 18 after 36 holes was won by Toby Janes (The Kendleshire). Toby, just 14 years old, shot an incredible two-round total of 139 that included a 2nd round score of 67 (three under par)
Toby included, it was great to see that nine juniors qualified to get into the event
Of those players, special mention must go to the five who qualified for the final 36 holes; Joshua Millington (The Players Club) who finished in joint 10th place overall, Milan Reed (Long Ashton) who continued his superb run of form for a 12th place finish, Harry Griffiths (Ross-on-Wye) in 16th place, and home club member David Miles who finished 24th. Unfortunately, a back injury during the 4th round meant that Toby was unable to complete the event. They should all be very proud of their achievements.