Junior Elite V Hertfordshire & Essex
BB&O U18’s defeated hosts Essex and Hertfordshire, yesterday, on a sunny afternoon at Chigwell GC. The course presented a good challenge though recent maintenance work left the greens bumpy and very slow.
Kristian Tannum-Donaldson, the Elite Squad captain, playing his last match for the County ahead of his move to college in America, led the team out and bought home two early points. Gregor McKenzie, fresh from outstanding performances at the South Eastern Boys and BB&O County Champs, was not a his very best, though still managed one win (Herts) out of his two matches.
Conor, showing no signs of fatigue after his fantastic display for England in the Home Internationals last week, looked to be in control of his matches throughout the afternoon but, having already secured victory against Herts, was pegged back when dormie two up against Essex by two closing birdies. Melan Dhaubhadel, with recent runner-up finishes in both the Boys and County Championships, continued his stunning recent form winning both of his matches with many holes to spare.
Taylor Paul, though a little wayward at times, chipped in on the 17th to win against his Essex opponent, though sadly he had already lost against Herts. Charlie Herbert, the newly crowned BB&O Boys Champion, demonstrated his class by winning both his matches with holes to spare. Sebastian Tannum-Donaldson, though suffering from a sore back having played all four rounds at the County Championships, where he finished joint 10th, won comfortably against Herts though could not match the scintillating golf, 5 under through 16 holes, of his Essex opponent. Playing anchor, Zac Jenkins, seemed to be in control of his matches, but succumbed against Herts on the last hole, though a one up win against Essex balanced the books.
All three teams were in some way affected by the clash with the British Boys, though BB&O to a slightly lesser degree. Next year will be very different with 5 of yesterday’s team now comfortably inside the handicap cut for this years British Boys. These two wins maintain the fabulous run of team and individual performances over the past couple of months and give us great momentum going into the Lancashire match next week and the England Finals at the end of the month.
BB&O are very well placed in the Central Division of the SEG U18 League, having won four out of four matches. Our final match will take place at Ealing GC on Sunday 10th Sept.
On behalf on the County I would like to thank Kristian for his support of BB&O Junior golf over many years. Kristian’s name has often appeared at the top of leaderboards and team sheets, initially in the Futures Tour and U14’s then progressing to local and national open tournaments and U16’s. Kristian won the Junior Championship in 2016, became captain of the Elite Squad in 2017 and a member of the England Boys Squad in the same year.
We wish him the very best!
For the full Essex result please click here
For the full Hertfordshire result click here
