Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club were denied the chance to reach a record-breaking Royal Greenjackets final after being beaten by eventual winners Royal Jersey in the semi-finals at Hockley Golf Club last Monday (27th July).
The Isle of Wight side had been aiming to reach what would have been a record 6th final victory in the prestigious junior inter-club knockout competition, having already won the trophy more times than any other club.
Their campaign had begun with victory over fellow Islanders Westridge, the 2022 champions, before progressing to Finals Day at Hockley Golf Club in Hampshire.
In the morning semi-final, Shanklin & Sandown fielded Thomas Clemens (3 handicap), Alfie Jones (24) and Toby Payne (10), with the best 2 Stableford scores counting towards the team total.
Payne made an impressive start, birdieing the opening hole, while Jones picked up valuable nett birdies early in his round. Clemens also played steadily, reaching the turn with 19 points to edge Jones by 2.
The Islanders were just a single point behind Royal Jersey after the opening 9 holes, but the Channel Islanders pulled away on the back 9 thanks largely to an outstanding round from Marley Austin-Vautier, who amassed 43 points, including back-to-back nett eagles.
Jones finished with an excellent 39 points, while Clemens added another 19 points on the inward half to finish 2 points better than his handicap. However, Royal Jersey’s superior scoring secured their place in the final.
Shanklin & Sandown then faced Royal Winchester in the third-place play-off.
Clemens carded 35 points, including 3 birdies on the front 9 and another at the par-3 12th. Jones added a solid 36 points, highlighted by 4 nett birdies on the outward half and a birdie 2 at the 12th.
Payne, who opened with 4 successive pars, finished with 32 points, which was the team’s discarded score.
The Isle of Wight club’s combined total of 71 points was enough to defeat Royal Winchester by 4 points and secure third place.
Royal Jersey went on to lift the Royal Greenjackets title after edging Bramshott Hill in a dramatic final. Both teams finished level on 76 points, with Royal Jersey crowned champions on countback after recording the better third score.
Competition organisers, Hampshire Golf, believe it may have been the first tied final in the tournament’s 51-year history.
