ED FEATHERSTONE celebrated turning 18 in fine fashion – by winning the Norfolk Elite Amateur Championship at Royal Norwich Golf Club.
Featherstone’s landmark birthday was two days before the 36-hole tournament that attracted a high-class field drawn from the six counties who contest the Anglian League.
And the Sheringham golfer earned himself an extra present by virtue of a two-stroke victory worth £700.00.
It was Featherstone’s latest high-profile success of 2023, having also triumphed in the Norfolk Amateur Championship and the Lagonda Trophy.
At a sun-baked Royal Norwich he was the only golfer to break par, thanks to rounds of 71 and 74 that left him on one-under.
Featherstone, who has a membership at the host club, laid the foundation stones for his win early in the first round.
He played some stunning golf to surge to five-under-par through nine holes before blemishes to his card on the inner loop meant that he only shared the halfway lead with current Norfolk Boys’ champion Daniel Leggett.
Featherstone then dropped back to level par late in the afternoon round but rallied when it mattered most.
With three holes to play he executed a superb 35-yard pitch to set up a birdie. And at the last he again displayed his short-game skills, saving par from a difficult spot to the left of the green.
Featherstone’s show of steel down the stretch was enough to close out the win from Northamptonshire golfer George Castle.
Featherstone, runner-up 12 months ago, said: “Knowing that the only option you have is to play good golf kind of brings the margins in a bit. You’ve got to put it close. I feel quite comfortable in that position, a bit under the gun.
“It was great to be able to go one better than last year. It was a hell of a grind, I will admit. I don’t think I’ve ever won before at Royal Norwich so now I can come down and practise, knowing that I have done something here, which is a really nice feeling.”
Featherstone also collected the Henry Craske Memorial Trophy, awarded to the golfer with the lowest combined score for this event and the three rounds of the Norfolk Amateur Championship, held at Royal Cromer in June.
He added: “I’m very pleased with how the year’s gone. It feels really nice to know that I’ve been quite successful.”
King’s Lynn’s Mason Bernstein also shone at Royal Norwich to secure third spot on two-over-par.
Norfolk Elite Amateur Championship (Royal Norwich Golf Club) leading scores: 145: E Featherstone (Sheringham) 71 74. 147: G Castle (Northamptonshire County) 72 75. 148: M Bernstein (King’s Lynn) 72 76. 150: T Little (Whittlebury Park) 76 74. 152: B Hobley (Bawburgh) 76 76. 155: M Pearce (Ely City) 78 77. 156: J Cullington (Dereham) 81 75; S Wormleighton (Rothley Park) 75 81. 158: D Abbs (Royal Norwich) 77 81. 159: D Leggett 71 88. 160: J Ring (King’s Lynn) 80 80; S Goddard (Bawburgh) 80 80; R Harvey (Aldeburgh) 80 80.
