GOLF ROUND-UP: KENT YOUTH Champion in CONFIDENT MOOD

Canterbury golfer Josh Bristow goes in search of more honours this weekend when he competes in the Kent Cob and Bishop’s Bowl scratch tournaments at Knole Park and the Wildernesse respectively. The former England Schools’ captain and county junior champion recently retained his Kent Youth Championship title at Knole Park after winning a four-way sudden death play-off. And now the 20-year-old onehandicapper is bidding to add to his many successes with a prominent performance in the prestigious 36-hole county events that are held on successive days. The Kent Cob takes place on Saturday and the Bishop’s Bowl 24 hours later. Bristow, who is on a sports scholarship at Canterbury Christ Church University, faces a demanding challenge as he competes among an elite field of 50 of the county’s top amateur players, including several who play off handicaps of plus-three. But his confidence will have been boosted by the successful defence of his Kent Youth title. Bristow led the field of 26 by a stroke after shooting a oneover-par 71 on the first day, closely pursued by a group of five who were level in second place. His five-over 75 in more difficult conditions on the second day enabled three players to pull level, forcing extra holes. Sidcup’s Tom O’reilly and Richard Cheetham, of Chart Hills, failed to survive the first hole, leaving Bristow and Chestfield golfer Sam Robertson to fight it out. One hole later and it was all over. Robertson could only make bogey while the Canterbury man rolled in a six-foot putt for par. A week earlier, Bristow registered a notable double in Kent’s South Eastern Group match against Dorset at Knighton Heath Golf Club, Bournemouth. His two wins helped Kent to an 8.5-3.5 victory that set up a second title triumph in successive years when Kent drew 6-6 against Surrey at Rochester & Cobham on Sunday, a match Bristow had to miss through work commitments.