Wellow GC's Tiago Fernandes wins Douglas Johns Trophy

Some of the biggest names in golf over the last 25 years have claimed the trophy at Buckinghamshire’s Harewood Downs, including Justin Rose, and Fernandes skipped the Hampshire Junior Championship to compete in the 36-hole Open.

Having won the Hampshire U14 title 12 months ago, Fernandes would have been knocking on the door to claim either of the U16 and U18 titles up for grabs at Corhampton.

Ashley Brewer, BB&O Golf president, Douglas Johns Trophy winner Tiago Fernandes and Harewood Downs captain Geoff Houston. (Image: Supplied)

But having been the reserve when Hampshire claimed a place in the English Boys Finals for the first time in 11 years last month when they won the South East Boys Qualifier at Sussex’s Ham Manor GC, Fernandes' victory could not have been more timely.

The Hampshire U18 manager and county coach Kevin Flynn faced a tough choice before announcing their seven-man team to travel to Goswick GC, in the North East, for the three-day finals against Somerset, Nottinghamshire and favourites Yorkshire.

Basingstoke’s Henry Dutton – who got Hampshire over the line playing in the anchor role at Ham Manor, is off to the USA at the end of the month, and has been informed he won’t be given permission to delay the start of his four-year golf scholarship so he can play in the finals.

That puts Fernandes, who lives in Southampton and is a member at Wellow GC, in the driving seat to not only be in that seven-strong squad bound for Northumberland, but to claim a starting place in the team that will play three foursomes and six singles matches each day.

Fernandes shot a superb four-under-par 65 in the morning to lead the tournament, which has also been won by European Tour winners Alex Fitzpatrick (2014) and Marco Penge a year earlier, while Oliver Fisher, who broke Rose’s record as the youngest-ever teenager to feature in the Walker Cup against America, in the amateurs’ version of the Ryder Cup.

While scores rose in the afternoon, Fernandes clung on to his one-shot lead after lunch, coming home in 71 while only Cheshire’s Will Furness overtook the group of eight players on level-par, with a stunning superb six-under 63 to finish just a shot shy of Fernandes’ total of two-under.

Harewood’s general manager Matt Mayfield said: "This was the 33rd year the club has had the privilege of hosting the Douglas Johns Trophy, and we are immensely proud of the championship’s rich history.

"Many outstanding players have competed and triumphed here before going on to enjoy successful professional careers, and this year’s tournament once again showcased the exceptional talent coming through the ranks."

Indeed, recent winners included Alex Fitzpatrick (2014) and Marco Penge (2013), both currently playing on the PGA Tour in the USA, while Conor Gough played in the 2019 Walker Cup as a 16-year-old three years after winning at Harewood Downs as a 13-year-old.

Hampshire U18 manager Richard Beeston said: "Tiago took the role of reserve in the South East Boys Qualifier like the real team player he is.

"He was out on the course for every second of the two rounds, supporting his teammates, even though he would have have been as keen as any of the six lads selected to be out there competing in Hampshire’s colours.

"He gave lots of encouragement to the boys – as the temperatures soared and the pressure grew once it was clear we were leading with only a few holes to go.

"We know how good a player Tiago has become over the last few years as a member of the Under 12, U14s and U16s squad, earning the right to be in our U18 squad this season.

"Losing Henry because of his college commitments in the States is a big blow after he led the team home so fearlessly taking on that shot from the fairway bunker into the last with water on two sides of the green.

"We were all relieved to see it land where he intended – including Tiago as everyone stood by the 18th.

"It was a great display by all the team, and everyone, including Tiago, played their part.

"The spirit in our squads has been excellent – the U16s and U18s have both won their South Division titles to reach the South East League Finals in September, and getting to the English Boys Final for the first time since 2015 is just the icing on the cake.

"The performances of Tiago and Corhampton’s Max Blake, who made it through to the first round of the men’s English Amateur and then claimed the South of England Boys Open last week, shows the boys are all desperate to make a case to play in those finals, starting with the English Boys."