This week, The Duke of York, Founder and Patron, attended The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland. Founded in 2001 by The Duke and John Simpson, The Trophy is an international mixed tournament played solely on Open venue courses, which this year saw 63 players from 37 countries taking part. All of the competitors are either the current holders of their Under 18 National Championship or have won another recognised major golfing event in the applicable year.
After a tough three days of competition in challenging conditions, Conor Gough from England won the 2019 Trophy by six shots. Compatriot Callum Macfie was his closest rival in second and just one stroke behind in third was Václav Tichý from the Czech Republic. You can see the full results here.
The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy continues to promote the development of junior golf, encourage competitiveness and friendship between individual champions whilst providing them with an opportunity to play on championship courses against their peers. The event has always been, and continues to be supported and overseen by the R&A and participation attracts points towards the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Former competitors have included professionals Ariya Jutanugarn, Anna Nordqvist, Rory Mcllroy, Pablo Martin, Oliver Fisher, Matteo Manassero and both the men’s and women’s former number one amateurs, Joaquín Niemann and Leona Maguire. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, there was a total of 5 alumni competing.
