LIPHOOK Golf Club junior member Sam West has capped a highly successful season by being selected for the England South U16 regional squad, following an assessment day at Meon Valley GC.

The 14-year-old, who plays off a handicap of 2, has just returned from a half-term England regional squad get-together at Cumberwell Park in Wiltshire.

In August, Sam shot a junior members’ course record at Liphook. His gross 65 was five under par. He followed up by winning both the Hampshire Schools U16 and U18 titles in October, shooting one under par at Cams Hall, Fareham against a strong field of 55 of the best school and college junior golfers in the county.

He played the last seven holes three under par with birdies on the 12th, 13th and 15th holes to win by one shot.

Previous winners of this event include a certain Justin Rose in 1994 and 1995 (aged 14 and 15).

Sam, a pupil at Churcher’s College, will now represent Hampshire in the English Schools final at Woodhall Spa next year.

His goals for this year were to make the England regional squad and Hampshire U18 county team and to get his handicap down to 2.3, having started the season on 4.6.

He has achieved all his targets and, as a bonus, has received an East Hampshire Elite Sports Grant for 2017.