Rob led the Warwickshire Boys to the 2001 Boy County finals where they came within one 15ft putt of taking that title and it was his golf that week, together with the promise he had shown and would come in the years to come, that made Rob part of the EGU coaching set-up.

Rob went to Australia with the EGU and did very well. He qualified for the Open last year - the Tiger win and the Jack (Nicklaus) retirement at St Andrews - and but for a bit of a cold putter, could have made it through to the final 36.

Only last month Rob played in the Olton Bowl and blitzed the field with two rounds in the mid 60s on a course where anything under 70 shows top golf. Last year his scoring was even lower to win the Midland Open at Finham and in 2003, there was the Warwickshire title that everyone wants, the Amateur Championship at Handsworth.

One of the most likeable players you will ever meet, Rob goes into his professional career with the best wishes for success from anyone who has known him. He will be missed but then again there is another Rob who might replace him.

The U16s are the future of where top golfers will come from and at this level, more than a handful of juniors have reduced their handicaps to low single figures in 2006. There is a new Junior Championship started in this, the Union's Centenary year. Its for U16s and the first winner was Rob Bardsley, Rob of the 'Bardsley Clan' which includes older brother Daniel who did so well at last year's Warwickshire Open

At the Midland Champion of Champions on 19th Sept at Kingsthorpe GC, Northants, Rob Bardsley was runner-up in the U18 & won the inaugural U16s with rounds of 72 + 70 for 142. Well done Rob!

If Rob, or any other of the groups of very good U16s, can progress to the sort of levels Rob Steele achieved, then Warwickshire will be winning individual and team championships for years to come.