TWO local youngsters gave terrific performances in the English Schools National Under-16 Championship at Thetford Golf Club in Norfolk.

Liphook Golf Club’s Sam West took the boys’ title by one shot, while Farnham Golf Club member Lottie Woad, just 14 years old, finished runner-up in the girls’ championship, one shot behind winner Evie Cooke.

The tournament featured the top 72 young golfers from throughout England and comprised 36 holes of scratch medal play.

Fearlessness, frustration and fortitude were well to the fore as the players did battle on brown fairways baked hard by the sun. And there was no respite on the day as the thermometer climbed past 30 degrees.

But the greens were receptive and the scoring was impressive.

Sam West, a pupil at Churcher’s College in Petersfield, returned a frustrating three-over par 75 in the morning, but stormed back after lunch with an excellent 69 to pip Dorset’s Jacob Tidswell who shot 73 and 72. Yorkshire’s Jack Whaley was three shots back in third place.

After receiving the winner’s trophy, Sam, a member of the England Golf Regional South squad and making his debut in the event, said he had enjoyed the course and challenge and was proud of the way he had fought back.

Weydon (Farnham) schoolgirl Lottie Woad had qualified for the event following her victory in the Surrey Schools’ Championship. She shot two gross rounds of 74 at Thetford for a level-par total of 148, a single shot behind Evie Cooke from St Aidan’s School in Yorkshire.

The prizes were presented by Thetford club captain Bob Pearson and lady captain Margaret Hayward.

Sam West, who is supported by the East Hants Elite Sports Grant, qualified for the finals back in October last year when he won both the Hampshire schools U16 and U18 titles by shooting one under par at Cams Hall, Fareham against a strong field of 55 Hampshire school and college junior golfers.

He will now take his place in the ESGA international team to play Wales at Llanwern Golf Club in Gwent on Monday, August 27.

Lottie Woad also played in England Golf’s South Region Girls Championship at Ifield GC in Sussex. This was another 36-hole scratch medal event. Lottie recorded rounds of 73 and 75 for a 148 (+4) total to win the Under-14 Championship. Her total also placed her fifth in the Under-16 event.

Lottie’s busy summer continues with a trip to the south coast over the next two weeks to play in the English Girls’ Open Amateur Championship at East Devon GC, followed by the English Girls’ Under 16/14 Open Amateur Stroke-Play Championship at Lyme Regis GC in Dorset.