GOLF

NORTH Weald Golf Club member Adam Winwood captured one of the county's most coveted prizes - the Essex Amateur Championships - on home soil.

Watched by a large crowd, including European Tour pro Oliver Fisher, Winwood's 72-hole 11 under par total of 213 was two strokes better than his final round playing partner Ross Spurgeon of West Essex.

Eighty-six of the county's top golfers teed up at North Weald Golf Club on Saturay morning, with the top 44 players returning on Sunday for the concluding 36 holes.

Some outstanding golf was played over the two days on the challenging par 71 course with the competition being decided on the very last green.

The success will give Winwood a huge amount of confidence going into the Scottish Youths Championship in two weeks time where he will be competing against some of the best young players from all over the UK.

The 21-year-old has just completed the first year of a golf scholarship in Arizona, where he is ranked 13th in the US College standings.

He returns to the US in mid August but hopes to come back to the UK in September to represent Essex at Woodhall Spa at the County Champion of Champions event.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the youngster should contact him on 01992 619027 or email adam_winwood@hotmail.com