GOLF: What a super summer it has been for Walton Heath's teenage golfing protege Harvey Byers.
Byers, who celebrated his 14th birthday in June, has cut his handicap from 5.6 to 2.7, thanks to a series of outstanding performances.
He began by winning the Independent Schools Golf Association crown. Then, in treacherous conditions at the notoriously tough Princes links in Kent, he claimed the Laddie Lucas Spoon on the 25th anniversary of the prestigious national event, whose past winners include US Open champion Justin Rose.
Part of his prize was a special invitation to meet Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter, at Woburn.
The big day included a competition for 88 leading juniors from across the country, with handicaps ranging to plus one.
Once again Byers came out on top with a winning two-over-par score of 74 on the demanding Marquess course.
He claimed victory by just one shot after making a difficult up and down from a greenside bunker at the 18th.
"I think considering the circumstances it has to be one of the best shots I have ever hit," said a delighted Byers.
"It was very tense coming down the last as I had been told that the best score in the clubhouse was 75, and it looked like I might have blown it when I put my approach shot into the sand.
"When I managed to put the bunker shot to six inches and tapped in the putt I was so thrilled."
Host Poulter was full of praise for the Whitgift School student, saying: "To shoot that score at your age is fantastic. I turned pro at 19 with a higher handicap than you have now!"
Those words were music to the ears of Byers, who won a Poulter designed putter and a golf weekend at Welsh Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor.
"I was just thrilled to be there and meet Ian, but to win the tournament and get a chat with him was fantastic," he enthused.
Byers, who has captained Surrey's U14 squad this season, also played in the English U14 Championship at North Hants, where he finished 18th out of 144 competitors, and the Scottish U14 at Inverness, where was placed a highly creditable fourth out of 90 starters.
"I have to be very happy with what I have achieved in 2014," added Byers, whose main aim now is to get his handicap down to scratch in the next year.
