Osborne golfer Harry Oatley claimed double glory at the Hampshire Junior Championships after storming to victory in challenging conditions at Hockley last week.
The 19-handicapper shot a superb nett-par 66 to go 5-under by lunchtime before a thunderstorm halted play. Organisers were forced to keep players inside the clubhouse until conditions improved, with nine holes still to play.
Despite the delay, Oatley, a member of the Hampshire Junior Development squad, maintained his momentum. Resuming strongly, he completed the final holes in just 31 strokes, finishing 2 shots clear of Romsey’s Harrison Yeates. His performance, including four birdies in 5 holes, secured the Willard Trophy.
Oatley’s first round was packed with highlights, featuring six birdies, 2 nett eagles at the 10th and 14th, 3 bogeys and a double bogey on the final hole. His winning score also put him 4 shots ahead of U14 Champion Tiago Fernandes from Wellow. Stoneham’s Jamie Prewitt, who also opened with a nett 66, fell behind on the back nine.
The victory makes Oatley the first Isle of Wight player to win the U16 handicap title since Campbell Laird of Shanklin & Sandown in 2019. He is only the third player from the Isle of Wight to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Ryan Harmer in 2013 and Laird in 2019.
Other trophies at the event included the Pechell Trophy, which was claimed by Conor McKenna from Royal Guernsey after beating defending champion Albie Beeston from North Hants with a two-under finish.
Oatley was the Isle of Wight’s only entrant across 5 age groups, adding to the island’s proud golfing history. Notable past champions include Shanklin’s Conor Richards, the last Isle of Wight player to win the title in 2015, and R Underwood from Freshwater, who secured victory back in 1975.
His success not only marks a personal triumph but also shines a spotlight on junior golf on the Isle of Wight, inspiring the next generation of young golfers to follow in his footsteps.
