SIX young golfers from Okehampton will be competing for the chance to play at the famous course at Woburn when they take part in the regional finals of a prestigious junior championship, sponsored by the Sunday Telegraph. Okehampton Golf Club?s junior section were triumphant in the East Devon Junior League, and will now head to Saunton for the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Championship West regional final on October 4. The Okehampton team consists of Jonny Rattenbury, Rachel Spry, Laurence Waldron, Dan Curtis, Ollie Kirby and Adam Clark. Golfers are classed as juniors up to the age of 18, but Okehampton has quite a young team, with players mainly aged around 14 and 15. The players? handicaps range from 10 up to 21. The famous links courses at Saunton will be hosting the South West regional final for the first time. The Championship East course at 6,708 yards, par 73, is a challenging test, which includes some very unique, individual and tricky holes to negotiate. The wind plays an important part in the decision-making process with the prevailing wind being from the Hartland point in the South West. The West champions and runners up will progress to the England National final, which will be played at Woburn on October 23. There players will compete over the European Tour hosting Marquess Course. Opened in 2000 the 7,214-yard course was designed to provide an enjoyable challenge for all golfers. Each hole has its own unique character, set within 200 acres of mixed and mature woodland, which presents a variety of tree-lined holes over undulating terrain. The 2006 English Champions will then have the honour of representing England in the televised Home Nations Final, taking place next January at La Manga Club in Southern Spain. Players will have the opportunity not only to play three medal match play rounds on the course but also take advantage of the 28 tennis courts, superb spa, swimming pool, two state-of-the-art health clubs and many other facilities and leisure pursuits available on resort.
