This week the Faldo Junior Tour returned to The Astbury, Shropshire for the second event of the season.
Located amongst the rolling hills above the idyllic town of Bridgnorth, golf at The Astbury is set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland and offers impressive views culminating in the famed signature 18th hole par 3 over water, set in front of the stunning clubhouse.
The Par 71 6,500-yard course was in perfect Spring condition as the sun shone on the Junior Tour field. It was England Boys team member, Bolton who would take the spoils with a tale of two nines each day. Finishing with a 1 under total for the WAGR event, Ben was a collective 8 under par for the back nine over the three rounds.
A strong finish was needed as Thurlestone’s, Toby White held the 36 hold lead for the first time and looked steady going in to the final round. It wasn’t to be although the consolation of winning the 18 and Under category was a just reward for some exceptional play.
Commenting on his victory, Bolton said, ‘The Astbury is nice and local to me, I really like the course as it’s very scoreable. I played ok, not out my skin but I was just solid today with the back nine pretty much helping me over the week. I am really looking forward to getting back to Al Ain, hungry to go one better’. It will be Bolton’s return to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club where he will look to go one better and secure his age category victory after falling short in an age category playoff last year.
In the Girls division, Styal’s Isabella Taylor-Stokes continued her fine Faldo Junior Tour form with a convincing victory to also return to the UAE as one of the favourites to take the title. Elizabeth Ball, Frilford Heath, will make her Grand Final debut as she picked up the remaining spot to Al Ain.
With a break for school exams, the next Faldo Junior Tour event takes place at Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland on the 1st of August.
