HISTORIC WIN FOR GUERNSEY IN JUNIOR INTER INSULAR
The Guernsey junior golf team won the Junior inter insular at La Moye for the first time since 1991 after a hard fought battle in the singles today.
Guernsey led 3-1 overnight and Conor Mckenna was chosen by Team Manager Mick Marley to lead the team out against Jersey Captain Ben Shield. The Jerseyman would have fancied his chances after winning his fourball match yesterday but he was no match for Conor today who was in outstanding form and he got the first point for the greens with a 6&5 win.
In the second match Jayden Tucknott played Jersey star Anabelle Lucas Villar, the lowest handicap player for the reds. Anabelle made her intentions clear hitting a quality shot to the first and Jayden knew he had a tough fight on his hands. A classic game of matchplay followed between two of the best young players in the Channel Islands. It was nip and tuck all the way and after Anabelle birdied the 17th it could have gone the other way but Jayden kept his cool to secure a precious half.
Match 4 saw Lewis Marley against Jersey Junior Champion Ryan Hafey. Lewis fought really hard against Ryan who was on his home course but in the end he went down 5&4.
James Troop was the next Guernsey player to bring home a point. He enjoyed a brilliant day yesterday and was at it again today. He was trading holes on the front nine with fellow rising Hampshire Junior Star Ben Carnegie-Bedlow before going on a superb streak culminating in a comprehensive 6&5 victory.
Guernsey were now one point from victory and the pressure was on Captain Rory Mckenna who was playing Iman Hamid-Wilkinson. Having tasted defeat yesterday the skipper wasn’t going to let it happen again and used all his experience and class to gain the upper hand against a quality opponent. On the 16th Rory had a putt for eagle to win the junior inter insular and he duly delivered, rolling the ball in the middle of the hole to win 3&2 and ensure Guernsey had regained the trophy.
There were three remaining matches out on the course and credit to Jersey they all went their way. Tanner Austin gave it his all but was fighting his swing all morning and came up against an inspired Nathan Crake-Jones. The match ended with a sporting concession from Tanner on the 18th and he lost by one hole. Jamie Trebert again played some excellent golf but his opponent Oliver Allchin was on fire today and eventually won 2&1. The last Guernsey player out was Chloe Domaille and she fell to defeat by Nic Lawrenson who was unstoppable today. He was one under par when they shook hands on the 12th. Chloe gave it everything as always and will be a key member of the ladies inter insular team in a few weeks.
So it was a thoroughly deserved victory to Guernsey with the final score 6.5 - 5.5.
Well done to Jersey who were always going to come back strong after a heavy defeat in the fourballs. With the majority of players on both sides still juniors next year, the 2023 inter insular promises to be a mouth watering clash in Guernsey. The match was played in great spirit with the encouragement players from both sides giving their opponents a pleasure to see.
Junior Captain Rory Mckenna lifted the trophy and the team picked up their medals. Team Manager Mick Marley made an excellent speech thanking Derek de La Haye and his team, our Jersey and La Moye hosts for their hard work and hospitality, words that were echoed by Captain Rory Mckenna when he spoke. Mick can be incredibly proud of his hard work and seeing his team bring the trophy home, a lovely reward for a Guernsey golfing legend.
A big thank you to the GGU, Lynne Coutanche for her support and Geoff Troop for his great work over the years that has helped get this fixture going again and for keeping parents updated with the matches and providing some great photos.
Also a special mention to Harry Bushby and Dan O’Brien who travelled over at their own expense to support the team. Harry kept our club social media channels updated and both provided invaluable support to the juniors which was absolutely vital this weekend and they will be a big part of junior golf on the island for many years to come.
A big thank you to the sponsors Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation and Appleby their investment in junior golf on the Island is essential.
It was a pleasure to be around all the juniors this weekend, we have a group of incredibly talented young golfers on the island who are always striving to be better. A great example of this is that having just won a historic inter insular after an exhausting weekend a number of the group were organising a range session at L’ancresse as soon as the plane landed back in Guernsey this evening.
The future of golf in the Island is in great hands
