Stoke by Nayland Golf Club hosted over 90 children on Thursday 16thJune, all hoping to become the East Region Tri Golf champions! Nine schools, each bringing a team of ten pupils travelled from counties all across the East Region after winning their local and county qualifiers.
The rain didn’t seem to dampen their spirits as was shown in the pupil’s excitement and determination to score as many points as possible on the 8 station, Tri Golf putting and chipping skills challenge circuit.
Along with the Tri Golf games, two of the PGA professionals at Stoke by Nayland, Sarah and Andrew, gave each of the teams a mini coaching session on the driving range; letting them experience using “real” golf clubs and balls, many for the first time.
The competitive spirit between the pupils (and the teachers!) was clear to see, with everyone wanting to win the coveted trophy and a place at the National Final. It was obvious the scores were going to be tight with some brilliant displays of talent from all schools involved.
Whilst the scores were added up, Kevin Carpenter from KC Golf Shows put on an excellent trick shot show, demonstrating some unbelievable talent using oversized drivers, gym balls and a unicycle!
With the tension suitably high, the winners of the competition were eventually announced as Mandeville Primary School from Hertfordshire who scored a massive 1399 points. Pear Tree Mead Primary school from Essex and Woodlands Primary School in Norfolk took the second and third place, with very respectable scores of 1320 and 1307.
MandevillePrimary School will now go on to represent the East Region at the National Tri Golf Primary School Competition at Loughborough University on the 6thJuly and compete against teams from all regions of England, Scotland and Wales.
Katie Cooper, East Region Development Officer for the Golf Foundation said “A brilliant day was had by all of the teams who competed; I was particularly impressed with their enthusiasm and competitive drive to win and the amount of talent shown by these young people! I have seen each of these teams win their county finals and it has been great to see them all again at the next stage of the competition. I look forward to cheering on Mandeville School at the National Finals!” A big thank you to Stoke by Nayland Golf Club for hosting and providing a great backdrop for the event.”
