REIGNING Vale club champion Ben Robinson finished runner-up at the 2011 under 16s Nick Faldo Series of Golf grand final.
The youngster joined the winners of 17 other Faldo Series Europe events from 11 countries, plus three qualifiers from Asia, at Lough Erne in County Fermanagh.
The youngster signed for cards of 76, 82 and 75 for a three-round total of 233, which was six strokes adrift of eventual winner Cameron Long (79-78-70).
During the event, Robinson also benefitted from coaching clinics ran by Faldo and Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, Oliver Fisher and Nick Dougherty are among the past winners of the Faldo Series title.
Established by the six-time Major champion in 1996, 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers participating each year.
Robinson qualified for the final in dramatic fashion at the Hollingwell Golf Club, shooting scores of 75 and 72 to reach a sudden death play-off with Jack Merry (Birstall). The Vale golfer finally closed out the match on the sixth extra hole by sinking an eagle putt from 30 feet.
Meanwhile, the Vale’s annual Sam Hagen Memorial Medal was won by Dan Reynolds, who shot a nett 65.
Nigel Cowley recorded the competition’s lowest gross score with a 78.
Paul Beasley retained his club night winner’s trophy, holding off a strong challenge from Steve Protherough and Darren Baker. Rosie Loh won the ladies’ prize.
In the seniors’ section, the Autumn Trophy was won by Neil Cotton, who narrowly held off Bob Evans.
The club also hosted the annual Valerie Gittings Trophy mixed open competition.
The event attracted 116 entries from golf clubs far and wide, including Royal Wimbledon, The Worcestershire, Ross-on-Wye and Broadway, and they were split into teams of four (two ladies and two men) to play a four-ball, better-ball format.
The winners were Duncan and Gill Mitchell, both members of The Vale with a score of 43 points Second went to Mel and Anne Fern, of Willesley Park, with 42, while Peter Hill and Liz Evans of The Worcestershire took third spot with 42. Vale results, Sam Hagen Memorial Medal, Division One: 1 I Macrae (82-10-72); 2 Nigel Cowley (78-6-72); 3 Neil Cotton (84-11-73).
Division Two: 1 Fitz Burton (83-13-70); 2 Peter Beach (88-17-71); 3 David Skipsky (85-13-72).
Division Three: 1 Dan Reynolds (87-22-65); 2 Rob Ricketts (97-25-72); 3 Charlie Beesley (93-19-74).
Autumn Trophy seniors, Division One: 1 Neil Cotton (81-11-70); 2 Richard Heath (85-12-73); 3 Clive Gilbert (87-12-75).
Division Two: 1 Bob Evans (87-17-70); 2 Graham Bartlett (90-17-73); 3 Eric Salter (88-14-74).
Division Three: 1 David Leake (94-23-71); 2 Peter Bolshaw (90-19-71); 3 Les Cosnett (92-19-73).
Eclectic Stableford, Division One: 1 Ed Mountney (10hcp) 36 points; 2 Neal Cotton (10) 35; 3 Jim Rushworth (7) 35.
Division Two: 1 Ken Oliver (19) 41; 2 John Nutman (19) 36; 3 Bob Evans (16) 36 — on count-back.
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