Six-year-old Bridlington golf star George Rowell wins national title
Six-year-old Bridlington golfer George Rowell has won the Wee Wonders grand finalnote-0 to become the best golfer in his age-group in Great Britain & Ireland.
He won his age group 6&Us by 10 shots, collecting a trophy and the number one six-year-old golfer in Great Britain & Ireland has also picked up an invite to the US Kids World Junior Championship at Pinehurst California next August.
Having come through regional qualifying rounds, at Bridlington Golf Club, Huddersfield Golf Club and Leeds Golf Centre, then a north of England final at Leeds Golf Centre, which he shot 34 over nine holes, to qualify in first place for the grand finale.
George went up to Scotland a few days early and took the chance to have a few practice rounds.
During the practice rounds George met a few locals and chatted to the greenkeepers, picking up a few tips.
One of the strict rules of the Wee Wonders is no parental on course advice, so it all had to be his own golfing decisions.
The final was played at North Berwick, Scotland, over Saturday and Sunday with two rounds of the same nine holes on each day. The weather was the worst they have experienced at a Wee Wonders final in 30 years, strong winds with gusts of 60mph and rain that felt like hail.
As George plays golf on the east coast, he says wind and rain is no pain.
The greenkeepers worked all day every day on the course and were proud to say it was at British Open standard.
The greens were so fast that anything above the hole was almost impossible.
Proud dad Craig said: “George was paired with a boy from Carnoustie for the first round and played a steady first nine holes shooting 36, after a bit of a break he then came out and shot a 33 which gave him an 11-shot lead going into Sunday.
"George thought Sunday was going to be comfortable but that was far from it. The leaders go out last and George was paired with a boy called Louis from Ireland who was the best six-year-old he’s ever played with.”
George also picked up fans, and there was a large number of locals following the group which added a little pressure.
Craig added: "Louis made up four shots on George in the opening five holes and George was feeling the pressure but a great three at the tough 6th and a steady last three holes of the front nine kept George 10 clear shooting 36.
"George played flawless over the remaining nine holes shooting 35 to win by 10. He finished in style in front of a large gallery with a great put on the final hole for a 3, he then ran to hug his mum. Rounds of 69 and 71 are the lowest on record for the 6&U category.
"There are a few famous former Wee Wonders, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Charley Hull, Leona Maguire, Aaron Rai, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and George is really happy to be a Wee Wonders Winner.
"George now has invites to the European Junior Finals next May and the big one for George is an invite to represent GB at the US Kids World Junior Finals at Pinehurst California next August, to see how his skills compare to the best juniors in the world.”