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By Kent Gray
A topsy-turvy English Open Amateur Championship had a silver (salver) lining for Josh Hill on Sunday.
The 17-year-old finished the Brabazon Trophy in a share of 12th place, 12 strokes behind champion, England lefty Sam Bairstow. But rounds of 69-72 over the weekend lifted Hill from T-21 at the halfway stage and saw the Trump International Dubai Golf Club member share U-20s honours at Ganton Golf Club.
Hill (71-73-69-72) shared the George Henriques Salver with England team-mate Frank Kennedy (Trump National Jupiter) on 285, one-over. Bairstow won with an 11-under, 273 aggregate, edging Essex’s Zach Chegwidden by two strokes.
Hill shared the George Henriques Salver with England teammate Frank Kennedy (left).
Hill’s father paid tribute to his son after a summer highlighted by a near-run thing at the St Andrews Links Trophy in June, an unbeaten run at the recent Boys’ Home Internationals and Great Britain and Ireland selection for the Jacques Léglise Trophy starting in Sweden on Friday.
“It been a long summer, been staying hotels and friends houses since April the 19th and Josh manages in the last event of the summer a consolation prize with his England teammate @frankkennedygolf for leading u20 in the #brabazontrophy.
“Josh never quite firing on all cylinders all summer but always remained competitive and most importantly some invaluable lessons he will take and build on for the future.”
Hill’s Saturday 69 was a particularly impressive fightback after a sobering second round 73 that included a dreaded snowman, a quadruple-bogey eight, on the 14th hole to derail his title chances.
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“Had a bit of a mare yesterday,” Russell Hill wrote of his son on Instagram on the morning after the second round. “Has not been hitting or swinging great this week but despite that was 2-under through 13 and in 4th place. He had a bit of a silly few minutes on the 274-yard par 4. Lost 2 balls off of the tee and shot 4 over for the hole. Could be recipe for a melt-down but held it together to shoot 4 more pars! Hats off for the effort and holding it together where many would have lost it!”
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Hill Snr says his son’s summer campaign has been and at times seep but invaluable learning curve that will serve the MENA Tour winner well going forward.
“… I am sure with despite never hitting the heights his game can go to he’s had some ok results. I am sure this summer will be the most important learning experience he has yet in his young life and predict much bigger things to come! @golfdigestme.”
