Sam Broadhurst returned to the North East and Middlesbrough Golf Club to lift the North of England Youth Championship trophy having finished in second place in 2017.
Warwickshire-based Sam, the son of European Tour legend Paul, shot rounds of 69, 64, 66 and 65 for a 16 under-par total at Middlesbrough as Greg Holmes (Royal Birkdale) lifted the Fairweather Salver as the leading player under the age of 18. Michael Hay won the Bates Trophy as the leading home player.
Sam, who is studying at Lincoln Memorial University, said: “I played for the first time in 2017 and really enjoyed the experience. I wanted to come back and give it my best shot. I’m really proud to win this event and add my name to a great trophy.
“I came into the tournament having struggled since returning home for the summer. I’ve seen my coach, ironed out a few problems, and that’s really been the key this week. Although I’ve finished 16 under-par I really haven’t putted well, which shows just how good my long game was to shoot four rounds in the 60s and win by three.
“I only made one bad swing all week, which led to a double bogey on 16 on the first day, and from there I had a bit of work to do to pull myself back into it. Coming down the stretch in the final round I knew I had a lead but kept to my game plan, executed each shot and finished the week off really well.”
Sam had Westerhope’s Brad Robinson on his bag all week and was staying with him as Brad recovers from a back injury.
“The caddying partnership was fantastic,” added Sam. “We met playing golf against one another in the US and it’s been great to be staying with him this week. He’s been a great help, he’s obviously a talented player himself, and having someone like that on the bag has been a great help this week.”
Results at www.middlesbrough golfclub.co.uk/opens/north-of-england
