Last updated 13:36, Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Schoolboy Seb Crookall-Nixon followed in the footsteps of European Tour stars Justin Rose and Graeme Storm by winning the English Boys’ Under-16 Strokeplay Championship.

Seb Crookall-Nixon

The victory at High Post in Wiltshire saw him lift the prestigious McGregor Trophy and secure his place in the England boys’ team.

Crookall-Nixon, 14, from Cockermouth, carded closing rounds of 71 and 68 for a two-under-par four-round total of 278, finishing two shots ahead of James Brockington, from Henley.

The Cumbria under-18 player was the only youngster to finish under-par, and the victory earned him the chance to play in next week’s Carris Trophy at Wallasey, near Liverpool, starting on July 22.

Crookall-Nixon, who plays at Workington Golf Club, reduced his handicap to scratch, and is now waiting to hear if his success has won him a call-up for the Cumbria men’s team when they face Yorkshire on his home course on August 9.

He said: “Hopefully this will see my golfing career take off.

“Things will change dramatically after this and hopefully I’ll catch the eye of the England selectors.

“I wasn't feeling confident at the start of the week because I didn’t practise that well, but I felt two-under would be good enough to win and I was proved right.

“I’ll be up for the Carris Trophy and I’ll also be back to defend this next year.

“I’m also hoping my win will encourage the kids back at my club to come and play and to do what I have done.”

The victory was consolation for the disappointment of missing out on the English Boys’ Under-14 title two years ago at Gosforth, Newcastle, when persistent rain forced the championship to be cut to one round, leaving him in third place and unable to challenge for the lead.

There was no chance the weather playing havoc again although a day of brilliant sunshine was punctuated by a couple of heavy downpours over the glorious Wiltshire course.

By the turn in the final round, Crookall-Nixon had got to two under for the tournament while birdies at the 11th and 12th saw him virtually home and dry.

A string of pars kept him well clear but three putts at the short 17th and another dropped shot at the last might have put some doubt in his mind.

But his pursuers weren't making any forward progress and were left to battle for the other places.

ALittle@cngroup.co.uk