Brother and sister triumph at St Andrews and Wynyard
Lucca Jackson has won the Wee Wonders British Champion at St Andrews – and his elder sister has got in on the family act with a Durham County title.
Six-year-old Lucca, from Seaton Carew, overcame a strong field at the Home of Golf to claim the title on the 27th hole from Dubai’s Ruiri Cooper.
He shot a closing round 35 to follow his opening 34 and 36 to finish on a total of 105, one shot clear of his nearest rival.
Seaton’s Jack Burton also made it through to the finals in his age group for the second year in a row. Despite some very steady golf, he came up against a number of bigger, and longer, players.
However, he still put up a very creditable performance and Seaton are very proud of all their young golfers, three of whom were also in the Durham County team which won The Regional Cup.
Lucca had his dad, and coach, Clifford Jackson – the Seaton Carew professional – on his bag throughout the three days.
Cliff said: “From a family point of view, it was absolutely fantastic. To see him hole his putt at the last and for him to win it was absolutely brilliant. Even though he is so young, he showed tremendous consistency throughout and you can see that from his cards. They were all very similar and it is just brilliant.”
To cap off the season for the Jacksons, Lucca’s older sister Ella went on to win the Durham Junior Girls Stableford Championship at Wynyard.
Ella, 12, carded an impressive 39 points which included an eagle from a 60 yard chip on her way to the title. She finished nine points clear of Durham City’s Emily Atkinson.
Ella said: “I am really proud of what I have achieved – particularly over the last few weeks, I can’t wait to see what I can achieve next year.
“My short term goal is to try to get into the Elite Development squad at Dyke House School and to continue to represent Seaton Carew Golf Club and Durham.”
Cliff said: “Since Ella made the difficult decision at the beginning of the year to focus on her golf and not gymnastics she has achieved so much. When I think she was a 54 handicap playing in the Graeme Storm Open in April and she is now playing off 34, and winning two big events, I really feel the sky is the limit for her. I am so proud of her determination to improve.”
“I can’t believe the success that they both have had in a short space of time. Ella was brilliant at Wynyard and then they were two of the Seaton three, along with Jack Burton, in the Durham County team to win the Regional Cup.
“What a week it’s been and I’m so pleased for them.”
