Thompson optimistic as juniors hit top form

THE best bunch of junior golfers the island has seen since the emergence of Bobby Eggo, David Rowlinson and co. are bringing a big smile to the face of Chris Thompson. The president of the Guernsey Junior Golf Club has extra reason to be delighted with their combined progress as one of their number is his second son, Emile.

This morning Emile, 16, starts the second leg of the L'Ancresse Golf Club Championship leading the way after a superb one-under par 69 last weekend.

Whether he staves off the challenge of the likes of Andy Eggo will be known this evening, but regardless of today's performances, the 2005 season gives great encouragament to Thompson senior and all domestic golf.

'We've got a good bunch of juniors who are talented and their handicaps are coming down. Because of that they are bound to be in the frame.

Besides Emile's latest demonstration of huge promise, it's been another good week for the juniors.

While young Thompson was topping the L'Ancresse championship leader board Ross Wheeler was battling his way to the top of the same competition's handicap standings with a net 68.

On Wednesday, Craig Shorto and Wayne Moore made the final of the Noel Shield for the second time in three seasons and on Thursday Tom Le Huray shot his best round of the summer to top the Royal's Centenary Trophy with a net 65, 75 gross.

It was a notable effort by the St Sampson's schoolboy after collecting double-bogeys at both the second and fourth holes.

The 16-year-old then birdied the sixth and eighth before depositing a three iron to within a foot at the 12th.

He very nearly holed his approach to 16 and with an inward half of 36 gross, finished one shot clear of Mike Ephgrave.

Danny Carre, Sean Mills and Jack Mitchell are other juniors who have made their mark this season and with the inter-insular fast approaching the GJGC president is a more confident man than he was.

'It's all coming together at the right time of year,' added Thompson who this week will be keeping an eye out for the next generation of young golfers at the junior open day at St Pierre Park.

The event is aimed at the young novice.

'It's a come down and try it event. It's for boys and girls who want to try golf for the first time and want to know how to start,' said Thompson.

*ISLAND players Mick Marley and Nigel Le Noury are the two most notable 'outside' entries in today's HSBC La Grande Mare Open.

The Royal Guernsey duo play a three-ball with La Grande Mare's top player, Neil Black.

*PETER BLONDEL and Bob Ozanne are this year's winners of the L'Ancresse club foursomes matchplay event for the Labey Malet trophy.

In the final they defeated Geoff Ballay and Trevor Blatchford 2 and 1.

At the Royal, John Cable needed three extra holes to finally overcome the challenge of Bill Rusman and win the Growers Cup.