The Grove hosts inaugural Junior Open

David Howell (centre) hosts 60 youngsters at the inaugural Junior Open at The Grove

Former Ryder Cup player and multiple European Tour winner, David Howell, has welcomed 60 youngsters to The Grove’s inaugural Junior Open.

Howell, The Grove's first golf ambassador, was on hand to greet all of the children and took time with each of them during a putting clinic to impart some tips and advice on how to putt like a European Tour professional.

Underlining The Grove's commitment to attracting more children to take up golf, the amateur competition, sponsored by Cobra Golf and Max Golf Protein, was staged on the Kyle Phillips–designed championship golf course and was open to all juniors with an official handicap under the age of 18.

David Howell said: "I am passionate about getting children excited about golf and the fun, family–friendly environment at The Grove is ideally suited to help stimulate a young golfer's appetite for the game. 

"It is great to see so many juniors taking part in this competition and enjoying the experience of playing one of England’s finest courses under tournament condition."

David Howell presents James Woodmore, 3rd place in the handicap competition with his prize

Both Howell and The Grove share the ideal of bringing more young players to the game and see the tournament as a perfect opportunity to do this.

"Following the success of this inaugural competition we now aim to establish this event as one of the UK's leading junior competitions over the coming years," added Anna Darnell, Director of Golf & Resort Experiences at The Grove.

"For all visiting golfers there is no formal dress code for the course and no requirement for a handicap certificate to be able to play, making The Grove the ideal venue for juniors taking their first steps into golf and hopefully we will be able to help develop one of the next golfing greats."

The Junior Open attracted a high–calibre field, with Jack Kelly coming out on top with a Gross 70 (-2) to win the scratch competition and Sam Hadley (9 handicap), claiming the handicap prize, with a nett score of 64 (-8).

Winners on the day included:

Putting Competition

Dominic Clemons 15 (-3)

Handicap

1st  Sam Hadley 73 Nett 64 (-8)

2nd   Zach Little 79 Nett 66 (-6)

3rd  James Woodmore 78 Nett 67 (-5)

Scratch

1st  Jack Kelly 70 (-2)

2nd  Dominic Clemons 72 (Level)

3rd  Priyanka Parmar 72 (Level) Countback.

Related:

Stacy Lewis donates $195,000 to victims of Hurricane Harvey