Caffyn clinches county boys’ crown
Liam Caffyn demonstrated a full set of skills to claim victory in the Norfolk Boys Championship at Royal Norwich Golf Club.
The Dereham golfer shot a level-par round of 73 to earn a place at England Golf’s ‘Boys County Champion of Champions’ tournament at Woodhall Spa on September 12-13.
Caffyn, who last year won the Midlands U16s Boys Stroke Play Championship, finished two shots in front of fellow Norfolk second-team golfers Jake Gunby and Theo Pudney.
Caffyn, 16, said: “It means a lot, really. Going into the day, it was just like I wanted it done – I wanted to be that champion. Get my name on the trophy and to play in the Champion of Champions in a month's time.
“The Midlands last year was a big, big achievement. But I think I've been a bit up and down this season, last season. And just to get the job done, get a nice win under the belt, it's a great result I think.
“Being a bit more mature, playing this game for a while, I know to just stay in it – even when things are not amazing.
“And don't attack all the time. Just try and hit the greens in regulation, and the putts will drop eventually, hopefully. And they did.”
More than once Caffyn had to show resolve. He made a three-putt bogey on the opening hole, but bounced back by slotting a 15-footer for birdie on the second and then holed out from even further for another gain at the seventh.
A pushed drive from the 10th tee resulted in a double bogey to open the door for others, including his playing partner Pudney.
But once again Caffyn dug deep, making two more excellent birdies. His deft pitch from 80 yards at the par-5 12th allowed him to convert from five feet and his putter blew hot again on the 14th green where he sunk a twisting 12-foot putt.
At the difficult par–4 16th Caffyn overcame tree trouble with a brilliant knock-down 7-iron from 160 yards to six feet from where he rescued par in gritty fashion.
Caffyn admitted his heart was racing at the time, but he kept his composure sufficiently in the closing stages to clinch a deserved triumph.
Top spot in the handicap competition went to Hugo Fisher-Briggs. Receiving 14 strokes, the 12-year-old Royal Norwich member recorded a fine net score of 68 – five-under-par. That left him a shot clear of Bawburgh golfer George Merritt.
Norfolk Boys Championship
Scratch champion: Liam Caffyn (Dereham) 73
Handicap champion Hugo Fisher-Briggs (Royal Norwich) net 68
Scratch U18 winner Jake Gunby (Dereham, on countback) 75
Handicap U18 winner Jack Bennett (Royal Norwich) net 78
Scratch U16 winner Liam Caffyn (Dereham) 73
Handicap U16 winner Jack Johnson (Royal Norwich) net 75
Scratch U14 winner Maxie Hawes (Royal Norwich) 77
Photos (Rushmer PR)
