Hodgson and Jutanugarn catch the eye in a sparkling field for the 2008 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy
From Junior Open champions to Carris Trophy winners via +3 handicappers the 2008 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Dundonald Links has it all
Stiggy Hodgson, the English Boys’ champion and reigning British Junior Open champion Moriya Jutanugarn will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Tour sensation and former champion Oli Fisher, as they head up one of the strongest junior fields ever gathered for the 2008 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy.
With 55 competitors from 30 different countries worldwide the eighth staging of junior golf’s pre-eminent international tournament is set to be the most exhilarating so far. The action tees off at Dundonald Links, Ayrshire September 16-18.
Hodgson, who plays out of Sunningdale, will be looking to cap off a remarkable year in which he’s been compared to the great Tiger Woods, after he defied the pain of a ruptured knee ligament to claim both the Peter McEvoy and Carris trophies.
However, the chances of a first female tournament winner look strong with Thailand’s Jutanugarn joined by 2007 leading lady Giulia Molinaro from Italy, current British and Belgian girls champion Laura Gonzalez-Escallon and Scotland’s very own Junior Ladies Stroke Play champion Kelsey McDonald. When you add Russia’s Anna Verchenova, whose sister Maria is currently lighting up the Ladies European Tour, to the mix you get an idea of just what the boys are up against.
The 13-year-old Jutanugarn has already broken one barrier this summer by becoming the first girl to win the R&A’s Junior Open. Despite having never seen a links course before, the Thai Girls’ champion took to the gales of Hesketh like a seasoned veteran and is relishing a return to seaside golf.
With Japan, Israel and Thailand all participating for the very first time, the 54-hole stroke play event has once again managed to extend its global appeal. The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, which was created by HRH The Duke of York and former Nick Faldo manager, John Simpson, is a unique, international tournament open to both boys and girls who hold their Under-18 national title or have won another major golfing title in the preceding 12 months.
“I am excited by the prospect of watching such a talented group of junior golfers face up to the challenges presented by a links course of Dundonald’s stature,” comments the Duke of York. “It is a real testament to the tournament’s ever-increasing reputation around the world.” The Duke of York will attend the tournament and host the official dinner.
Blue could once again be the colour to watch out for as Italy returns with defending champion Claudio Vigano, leading 2007 lady Giulia Molinaro, who finished just two shots adrift of her compatriot, and the field’s back marker Cristano Terragni, off a handicap of +3.2. Vigano who played flawless golf for two rounds in 2007, managed to keep his nerve during a windswept final day with a birdie at the last securing his triumph. Walker Cup hopeful Matt Haines was the highest-placed Briton with a final round 76 placing him 9th.
Kyle Phillips’ devilishly difficult Dundonald Links is the venue for the third year in a row, just a week after it hosts the European Tour Qualifying School First stage. Lyle Anderson Company Inc, owners of Loch Lomond, purchased the course in 2003 and Phillips, designer of Kingsbarns, made a number of alterations in 2003.
With Oli Fisher, Pablo Martin, Carly Booth, Sam Hutsby and Zac Gould among the former winners and combatants the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy has a truly impressive history of highlighting the stars of the future.
For Media enquiries please contact Luke Norman on 0203 1484529 or email luke_norman@ipcmedia.com
For further information on The Duke of York Young Champions’ Trophy please visit www.doy-champions.com
For more information on Dundonald Links please go to www.dundonaldlinks.com