JAMIE Markwick sent out yet another reminder of his talents as the former South East Junior Champion became the first player from Corhampton to claim the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy.
Markwick held off a strong challenge in the second round from last year’s Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel lslands Amateur Champion Sam Parsons, but the Blackmoor man would come up a shot shy at the finish.
Jamie, who suffered during his team in the States as Covid and a loss of form interrupted his progress at Nova Southeastern Florida University – before completing his masters in business administration earlier this year after switching to Anderson University in South Carolina – had a one-shot lead at lunch.
He was joined at the top of the leaderboard after 18 holes by county captain Toby Burden, from Hayling, but produced a really strong back nine to stay in contention for the trophy donated in memory of Brokenhurst’s Mike Smith – one of Hampshire’s most talented-ever players, a former British Youths Champion, who was killed in a car crash in 1990, while still a teenager.
Having played the front nine in level-par after lunch – with two birdies and two bogeys – Parsons trailed Markwick by two shots, entering the back nine. But a bogey-five at the 11th by Jamie, followed by three birdies in a row by Sam from the 14th briefly left him leading by two.
However, Parsons made a five at the penultimate hole – with arguably the toughest approach shot on the course – before parring the last to post a two-under total thanks to his second round 68.
He was tied with Markwick, who still had three holes to play, and birdies at the 15th and 16th, edged the Corhampton member back in front, only for him to drop a shot at the short par-four 18th.
Markwick was delighted to get a win under his belt, having won the Farnham Silver Frigate – a Surrey Order of Merit event – by 10 shots two months ago. He also reached the semi-finals of the county championship at Shanklin, back in June.
Jamie, who received the trophy from Mike Smith’s parents Trevor and Gladys, said: “I had no idea where I stood coming up 18, playing in the last group. I hit a good tee shot and came up a little short with my approach.
“It was a really tough putt from short of the pin and unfortunately three-putted for a five. I was very relieved that it didn’t matter.
“The Mike Smith is one of the bigger events in Hampshire for sure. A lot of good players have won it including Justin Rose and Richard Bland,” said the 2022 Hampshire Colts Champion.
“I hit my driver to 20 feet on the 15th and holed my putt for an eagle two, and was on the par-five 16th in two – but narrowly missed my eagle putt in the first round.
“After that I really just played solid golf. Nothing too flashy – just some good up-and-downs at the right times.
“I did make some nice birdies coming home in the afternoon that ensured the win,” added Jamie Markwick, who saw Parsons take the Solent Salver 24 hours later by just a shot, despite only finishing 10th in the Stoneham Trophy.
Jamie Markwick had to settle for 16th place with rounds of 76 and 74 at the Southampton course set in an old deer park on the city outskirts.
FULL RESULTS MIKE SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY
Jamie Markwick (centre) with Mike Smith’s parents Trevor (left) and Gladwys who presented the winner with the trophy. Picture courtesy of BROKENHURST MANOR GOLF CLUB
•Brokenhurst Manor’s Martin Young holds the record with seven wins since the competition began in 1991, while Young and Ryan Henley hold the record with five wins apiece in the Stoneham Trophy.
Meon Valley’s Harry Ellis, Brokenhurst’s Kevin Weeks, Stoneham’s Henley and Rowlands Castle’s Tom Robson each have two victories in the Mike Smith.
Only Young, Henley, Robson and Brokenhurst’s Martin Le Mesurier have won all three trophies in the same weekend.
Brokenhurst Manor’s Martin Young holds the record with seven wins in the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy. Picture by ANDREW GRIFIFN / AMG PICTURES