George Munsey strikes Gold at Woodhall Spa

The 15 year old from Oxford returned a second round 38 points off a handicap of three for an aggregate of 71 to take the title by a point from Northamptonshire schoolteacher James Barker and Thomas Townsend from Hampshire, both on 70. But Barker finished runner-up on countback with 38 points to Townsend s 36.

Munsey, a member of the BB&O under 16 squad at Loretto College in Edinburgh, began the final day four points off the lead. But four birdies in his rounds, including a front nine of 20 points, saw him post a total that no one managed to overhaul.

This win means a lot, said Munsey. It will boost my standing in BB&O although I don t get much chance to play for them as I m at college in Scotland. But my college will be quite pleased especially my professional Rick Valentine, who runs the golf academy there.

Barker, 40, a PE teacher at The Duston School in Northampton, a one-handicapper, was out before Munsey and also shot 38 points for 70, which always looked as if it wouldn t be enough. He birdied three of the short holes on the Bracken Course to sign for a gross 71 then had to wait to know his fate.

Even Munsey s effort looked likely to come up short as Townsend had accumulated 69 points with three holes to play. But the 19 handicapper from Petersfield came to grief over the homeward stretch, scoring just one point which left him near to tears. I just threw it away, he said.

Overnight leader Tim Cook failed to produce his first round form and 32 left him in fourth place on 69.

But Munsey was all smiles and set to return north of the border with a title that others have found to be a spring board to further success.

Gary Boyd, an England international and now a tour pro, won when just 11, while Todd Adcock, this year s English champion, finished fourth last year.

More information and hole by hole scores can be found on the Championships section of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org.