Pell is new JOM No 1

David Morgan - Saturday, 17 October, 2009

Saturday 17th October 2009 - The West Midlands Golf Club - the JOM Championship. The name Ibbertson is the only one on the Birmingham Post Trophy. Tom was looking for No 3 but just like four years ago when firstly Harry took the No 1 spot, they were once the challengers and this year, the new 'blood' was out in force.

It takes six months of showing skill, commitment and integrity to win the season long test of who is the No 1 for the year, and culminates in a one-off test of nerve for the leaders, plus puts pressure on those who can make up ground to show they can 'charge' like the greats.

Tom arrived at the West Midlands Golf Club, a very strong test off the back tees, knowing he controlled 75% of his own destiny, and that par golf could well be good enough. He had four challengers in Will Smith, Robert Owens, Ryan Wallace and Michael Pell. Playing with Will, Robert and Ryan, Tom knew if he beat them, it would take something spectacular for that trio of titles to go astray.

Robert and Ryan would need a top three finish in the JOM Championship (were Tom to play badly), and for Michael, only a win could see him finish as No 1.

Its didn't start well for Tom, making a hash of the par five third and bogeying the 8th and 9th. However Ryan and Will were not too far ahead. Robert though was through the turn in 19 points, two back from the best which was on Patrick Skakel's scorecard. Michael turned in 18 points.

The first low scores came in from Callum Morrow then George Allen, who both played the back nine in 20 points for 38. Ryan produced a back nine of 19 to overtake Robert, as the Kenilworth No1 made bogies on the 10th and 11th, then a hash of the 16th and both would score some Championship points - but not enough.

Patrick finished poorly so he would not take the Championship. Those 3000 points were still up for grabs.

Michael took a step back with a bogey at the 10th, got that shot back with a birdie at the 12th then went under par at the 16th. Two pars and he would tie the leading score.

It all actually added up to a 73, to tie the course record at the West Midlands (Michael's first), but only good enough for third place on the Championship prize giving list as George's best back nine gave him a Volkey Wedge and a second title for the season, having won the Warwickshire U16s.

It did however mean that Michael would pass the 9400 points total held by Tom, and become the new JOM No1.

'Michael seemed amazed by his new No1 status. He may not have played well in County events (bar being very impressive in his first match for the Junior team, away against Worcestershire) but he was second only to Robert in points gained in Junior Opens and Top 3 at his home club Olton in their points allocation towards the JOM.

Michael reduced his handicap by 40% over the season and at just 16, he has two more years of Junior Golf. The average shot reduction was 3.18 per player, and Michael is now the leader of a pack of rapidly improving younger golfers with the opportunity to reach the levels that Tom has achieved.

That leap from fifth to first was mirrored by the jumps for players such as Callum (up to 11th) and George (to 6th). With a number of U14s just missing out on places in the Championship, and players of the quality of Max Martin who was away at his first game for England, there is a distinctly good future for our County.

A full picture gallery will be added shortly.

Results from the JOM Championship (in order of prizes)

1. 38 Points - George Allen (Shirley)

2. 38 Points - Callum Morrow (Oakridge)

3. 38 Michael Pell (Olton)

All received 3000 JOM points

4= 37 points - Alex Bagnell (Nuneaton) & Patrick Skakel (Copt Heath) - 1000 JOM Points

7= 36 points - Ryan Wallace (Handsworth) & Daniel Lane (Kenilworth) - 700 JOM Points

9= 35 points - Robert Owens (Kenilworth), Sam Quinn (Rugby) & Louie Pett (The Warwickshire) - 500 JOM Points

Club Prize Winners

Ryan Wallace - Handsworth

Robert Owens - Kenilworth