Continuing on from 03 – Browning wins Boys Trials

David Morgan - Thursday, 15 April, 2004

Last year, Rob Browning had his best ever few months of golf. He did not win a County trophy but in October 03, his golf was rewarded with the Order of Merit title, courtesy of winning the JoM Championship and a few junior opens along the way. Yesterday, he could have had the Henley course record but fell away over the last 6. At Stoneleigh, Rob kept his game for the full 18 and took the Boys Trials.

Browning playing well was very satisfying for Chairman of Warwickshire Junior Golf, Brian Fish, who drafted the Maxstoke Junior into the 8 man team for the Four Counties this weekend when Boys Captain Jak Hamblett withdrew through injury. It was also a fillip to see Sam Foster bounce back from an 80 the day before at the Schools to share second place with the new Schools Champion, Andy Sullivan – both on 72.

A shot further back was the U15s Champion, Jack Sant from Ladbrook, who shared the Nett first prize with Stephen Butler from Atherstone – with 69s. Neil Taylor from Rugby was the next best gross with a 75 whilst home club favourite Chris Dougill was two under after nine only to take a double bogey at the 12th when he lost his ball and to then fritter away another three shots coming home.

It could have been two wins in two days for Andy Sullivan but for driving into trouble on the 16th and taking a six. Sullivan had four birdies as did the eventual winner Browning. With 27 putts being Rob’s best statistic on this day, if you make comparisons with when he won the JoM Championship and did so through hitting a very high percentage of greens, Rob has obviously now developed an all round game which will mean his handicap going down and down.

There was a second good day for Stuart Slater who has now knocked a full shot off his handicap in 24 hours. Fellow Maxstoke Juniors Ben Stafford and Andy Evans did not have good days, and Steve Mumford and Dale Marson both suffered on the greens.

The McEvoy 2004.

Over at Copt Heath, it was fabulous consistency from John Parry (Harrogate) that gave the Yourkshire Junior his first major title and a new Championship record.

Four 68s in a row did not give Parry and easy win as the much fancied Oliver Foster (West Sussex) also beat the previous 72 record of 280 by five shots, mostly due to a finish 36 of 135 (66, 69). The first round leader Steven Capper was third on 280.

A full set of scores for the Boys trials will appear on the site very shortly, as will a larger picture gallery

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