Kingston teenager Gareth Blease took the Welsh Amateur Championship at Southerndown by storm, narrowly failing to reach the final after losing by one hole to Walker Cup squad member Rhys Enoch.
The 18-year-old Coombe Hill Golf Club member mastered the elevated links course beside the River Ogmore in fine style, producing some excellent golf in all departments.
Blease, who has just finished his A levels at Epsom College, sent defending champion Ben Westgate packing 3&2 and then overwhelmed Whitchurch’s Simon Phelps, running out a convincing 6&5 winner.
A quarter final 3&2 victory against former international Nick Lofthouse saw Blease into the semi final, where his hard-fought match against Enoch went all the way to the 18th.
Next up for Blease is a trip to Royal St George’s Golf Club, where he will compete in the British Boys’ Amateur Championships, starting on Monday.
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