George wins county crown
Golf
Fifteen-year-old George Young is the 2016 Kent Schools’ boys’ champion. The Maplesden Noakes pupil was the only competitor to finish under par and his round of 69 at the tournament, staged at Mid Kent GC, Gravesend, propelled him to victory. The Year 10 pupil, a member of West Malling GC, has been playing golf for almost three years and has been representing Kent for the last 18 months. He is self-taught and has never had a lesson from a professional. He attributes his success to hard work, practice and dedication as well as the support of his family and school. His PE teacher, Stephen Chapman, said: “George is a fantastic young golfer who seems to make playing effortless. “At the tournament his driving was straight and long, his short game was incredible and this together with his consistently accurate putting, won him the tournament.” In the future he aims to obtain a golfing scholarship in the USA to boost his chances of a professional golfing career. Jane Prideaux, headteacher at Maplesden Noakes, said: “George is an all-round talented sportsman and clearly excels at golf. We are always proud of his achievements.”
Bearsted’s Matt Ford missed the cut at the Volvo China Open last week. Ford carded rounds of 71 and 72 to finish one underpar, two shots away from making the cut. He was due to play the first round at the Trophee Hassan II tournament in Morocco yesterday (Thursday).
Wildernesse Golf Club in Sevenoaks hosted the Kent County ladies’ competition. Nicole Stewart from Chart Hills won the main championship, while the senior championship went to Nikki Bell, from Nizels. Both awards were presented by the Kent County ladies championship captain, Anne Billings.