Andrew Griffin

Hartley Wintney golfer Charlie Preston lost to England international Jamie Van Wyk at the 19th hole in the second round of the English Amateur Championship. Preston, who qualified second among 288 entrants, believed two three-putts cost him victory, despite recovering with a six-foot birdie putt to extend the match. The 20-year-old has made significant progress while playing at Indian Hills Community College and has reached The Open Championship final qualifying in each of the past two years. Van Wyk went on to win the championship.

Seventeen-year-old Albie Beeston won both his foursomes and singles matches against Surrey, taking his Hampshire record to four wins from four in the South East League. His standout singles performance included an eagle and four birdies in a 6&4 victory. Charlie Preston also won twice as Hampshire secured an 8½–3½ victory, although the team had already been relegated to division two after earlier defeats by Kent and Sussex. The match was Toby Burden’s final game as captain.

Seventeen-year-old North Hants golfer Albie Beeston won his second Hampshire Junior Championship at Corhampton Golf Club, finishing two shots ahead of Basingstoke’s Fred Gill with a 10-under-par total. Beeston sealed the victory with a 10-foot birdie on the final hole, adding to his U13, U16 and previous outright championship titles. Basingstoke Golf Club players also performed strongly across the age-group and handicap competitions, while Henry Dutton, Alex Pardoe and Addison Smith were among the club’s other notable finishers.

Hampshire’s U18 golf team secured their first English county finals appearance in 11 years, driven by a decisive closing performance from Henry Dutton at Ham Manor. Strong rounds from Max Blake and Albie Beeston built an early lead that held against challenges from Surrey and Hertfordshire. Team manager Richard Beeston credited former junior manager Dave Matthews and the coaching setup for elevating performance standards. Dutton’s composed finish on the 18th sealed a five-shot victory and a place in the national finals in late August.