HAMPSHIRE’S domination of the British Par 3s Junior Qualifer continued as South Winchester’s Josh Mulcahy holed a thrilling 30-foot putt to win a play-off.
After Newport Golf Club’s Nick Matthews claimed the prize in front of Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin, at Nailcote Hall, his Hampshire Boys team-mate stepped up to the plate in spectacular fashion to deny Ben Bolton at the first extra hole.
Victory earned him a spot in the two-day pro-am made up of celebrity stars such as Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman and ex-Manchester Uniited boss David Moyes, to stars from the European Tour, including Major winners Tony Jacklin, Paul Lawrie and Ian Woosnam.
Mulcahy, who is about to start his A-levels at Peter Symonds College after completing his GCSEs this summer, has been trying to fit in a busy golf season with his academic commitments.
But he was totally focused on his ball and the flag as he carded a one-under par round in the first event of the four-day championship, at the Warwickshire’s Cromwell Course – renowned for having some of the best short holes in the country.
Josh was delighted to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Hampshire Boys captain.
Josh said: “I got called-up at short notice to play for the Hampshire first team against the Chanel Islands, at Brokenhurst Manor, in April when there was an injury.
“To get the nod from county captain Colin Roope was a major boost to my confidence.
“I had to put in lots of hard work especially on my short game, after entering the Farmfoods Par 3. So to win the junior championship was such a fantastic achievement.
“Qualifying to play in the pro-am was an honour, especially with tour pro Matt Cort. We bonded really well and went out on the first day and smashed it.
“I was three-under through 12, but with the baking sun and greens becoming rapidly quick as the day went on, the last three holes are very challenging.
Josh finished one-over to be joint leader in the amateur and the pair were tied third on six-under in the team event with 18 holes to play.
In the second round, Matt was three-under to take their team score to 10-under for a share of sixth, while Josh finished tied fifth on the amateur leaderboard.
Josh added: “I will take that and the experience it gave me.
“The course is such a tight and tricky layout and even some of the best pro’s struggled.
“So to play alongside of some of the games biggest names is an honour and an experience I will never forget – Jarmo Sandelin the winner, Paul Lawrie, Ian Woosnam, Tony Jacklin and many more.
“The European Seniors Tour’s Carl Suneson and pro’s Luke Turbutt, and especially Matt Cort, really helped and supported me throughout the tournament.”
Cort even suggested coming down to play with Josh at South Winchester, to play with him on his own course.
Josh added: “That is such a lovely gesture and I am really looking forward to playing with him again.