Staffordshire golfer Ben Bolton won the European Young Masters by a whopping six shots at Sedin Golf Course in Slovakia on Saturday.
A superb bogey-free round on the final day saw him finish on -11 ahead of Iceland’s Markus Marelsson, and in doing so he became the first English boy to win it since Bradley Moore (Kedlestone Park) in 2013.
Ben played alongside fellow England teammate Kris Kim (Walton Heath) in the final round, who ended up in eighth position overall. The England team, which included women’s players Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale) and Matilde Santilli (Foxhills), finished fourth overall.
Ben, who fired 18 birdies and 31 pars in 54 holes, admitted: “It felt special to win. It’s a big one to win at under-16 level.
“There were a few nerves around the turn but there was a rain delay so I had a bit longer to think about it. When I got back out there, I scrambled well on 11 and from then on, I felt comfortable.
“It was great to have my England teammates and coaches cheering me on at the end – I’d like to thank them all as they have helped me get these opportunities to play at these tournaments and it’s amazing to win ahead of so many talented young golfers.”
There was no time for celebration for Ben, who landed back in the UK on Sunday afternoon and drove straight from Stansted Airport to Broadstone for his next golf event – the English Amateur Championship which takes place from August 1-6.
Ben, who turned 16 on July 21, added: “After flying back with the team, I was straight down to Broadstone and back onto the course on Monday for a practice round. I’m looking forward to playing at both Ferndown and Broadstone over the coming days and hoping I can test myself against the best amateurs.”
The English Amateur Championship will see 204 men and 84 women compete, in which the eventual men’s winner will have played eight competitive rounds over the course of six days, and seven for the eventual women’s champion.
Ben played alongside fellow England teammate Kris Kim (Walton Heath) in the final round, who ended up in eighth position overall. The England team, which included women’s players Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale) and Matilde Santilli (Foxhills), finished fourth overall.
Ben, who fired 18 birdies and 31 pars in 54 holes, admitted: “It felt special to win. It’s a big one to win at under-16 level.
“There were a few nerves around the turn but there was a rain delay so I had a bit longer to think about it. When I got back out there, I scrambled well on 11 and from then on, I felt comfortable.
“It was great to have my England teammates and coaches cheering me on at the end – I’d like to thank them all as they have helped me get these opportunities to play at these tournaments and it’s amazing to win ahead of so many talented young golfers.”
There was no time for celebration for Ben, who landed back in the UK on Sunday afternoon and drove straight from Stansted Airport to Broadstone for his next golf event – the English Amateur Championship which takes place from August 1-6.
Ben, who turned 16 on July 21, added: “After flying back with the team, I was straight down to Broadstone and back onto the course on Monday for a practice round. I’m looking forward to playing at both Ferndown and Broadstone over the coming days and hoping I can test myself against the best amateurs.”
The English Amateur Championship will see 204 men and 84 women compete, in which the eventual men’s winner will have played eight competitive rounds over the course of six days, and seven for the eventual women’s champion.
Photography credit: EGA
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Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: pr@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org