Hannay puts Avon on the map with an English Schools triumph

Calum Hannay's reward for becoming the English Schools golf champion is a place in the England Schools international team against Scotland at Hesketh Golf Club, Merseyside, on September 10.

The 16-year-old Backwell School pupil, from Yatton, a one-handicapper at Mendip Spring Golf Club, took the title with rounds of 72 and 69 for a one-under-par return of 141 at The Kendleshire this week.

He finished ahead of Billy Spooner (Lincolnshire 68, 73) because he posted a lower score in the second round.

Another Avon boy, Josh Knight (Filton College), who plays at Wells, came 13th and wins a cap against Welsh Schools at Pennard Golf Club, Swansea, on August 20.

Ron Cockitt, who has been involved with Avon Schools golf since the start, said: "This was a magnificent performance in a strong field of 48 boys and Calum has become the first boy in the 32 years of Avon's life to win this championship."

Hannay, who stands 6ft 3in tall and has specially made clubs an inch longer than normal, has enjoyed an outstanding season. He won the Avon Schools championship at Bristol & Clifton, and the South West Under-16 championship at Exeter. He was runner-up in the Four Counties team event, also at Exeter.

He has been playing golf since he was five-years-old and joined Mendip Spring in 2007, where he is coached by John Blackburn. He said: "I have been more consistent this year and have been working on my putting and short game. It all came together in the second round on Monday when I made four birdies and an eagle.

"I am also trying to get stronger and am doing a lot of gym work. I would like to break into an adult county team and my long-term ambition is to turn professional."

Although Hanney finished his GCSEs yesterday and will study for four A levels at Backwell, his other focus will be on improving his golf still further.