SANDIWAY Golf Club were delighted to be chosen to host the 2023 England Golf Reid Trophy for under-14 boys.
They did their club, Cheshire and England Golf proud by putting on a great competition with a superb course, fantastic hospitality and great off-course support in hosting over 140 competitors from all over Europe including six of the top ten in the European rankings together with several national team squads from Spain, France and Austria.
On the third day they were also able to enjoy Cheshire’s Mediterranean weather which eventually served the winner well!
After two rounds of stroke-play the field was reduced to the top 76 for the final round and the scores fluctuated throughout a dramatic day.
In the end it went down to a two hole play-off between Juan Miro Asorey (Costa Azahar) and Sullivan Goddard (Bawburgh GC, Norfolk).
Juan followed the achievement of his compatriot Arian Rodríguez Burgos who lifted the title at Lincoln Golf Club 12 months ago and was understandably delighted with his efforts.
Both made pars on the opening play-off hole but that only told half the story. Playing the 401 yard, par four first, Goddard sank a tremendous long-range putt to heap the pressure on his Spanish opponent.
Asorey was up to the task though and he followed Goddard’s putt in with a stunning effort of his own to ensure the drama would continue down the 352 yard, par four eighth hole.
The Englishman reached the edge of the green in two and with his third shot, he chipped the ball to within two inches of the hole to put himself in with an excellent chance of a birdie and of the title.
Once again, Asorey had other ideas as with his third shot from the back of the green, he rolled in a truly magnificent 30-foot putt to ensure the Reid Trophy would be heading back to Spain for the second year in a row to set off great celebrations from his family and supporters.
“I’m feeling so good right now,” Asorey said. “I knew I had to hole the first putt in the play-off to stay in the match and when I did that, I felt a little bit less pressure heading to the next hole.
“For the second putt, I knew the ball was heading in with about ten metres still to go and I just wanted to shot ‘Vamos!’ before it had dropped in.
“It was amazing to have my mum and dad and all my Spanish teammates there watching me at the end and I’m so grateful for their support. It is a crazy time for me right now!”
The presentation to the top players was made by Past England President Les Wilson (Greenmount GC) and Sandiway Captain David Simpson and Lady Captain Waveney Oakley
At the presentation David Simpson said: “When there are many things in the world that divide people, it is gratifying to host a competition that brings people together from so many different countries and places in the name of sport.
“Golf is a universal language and I hope that wherever you have travelled from you have made new friends this week.
“As a club we feel privileged to host such a prestigious event and are delighted to become part of the history of this competition.”
David also paid tribute to all those at Sandiway that had combined with England Golf to produce a competition and course worthy of the event.
There were special mentions for Sandiway’s Roger Scowcroft for his calm and efficient organisation and past England President Nigel Evans for his wise counsel and input.
Header image: Cheshire boys player and Sandiway Junior Captain Harry Kell on scoring duty
Final results https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/3786740
Copy & images: Geoff Garnett
