Comeback king Teejay

Collecting his holiday voucher from Golf de la Luz director

17-year-old Teejay White became the 2011 Northern Matchplay Golf Championship champion when he staged a fabulous fight back, coming from six-down over Alwoodley’s famous golf course, in the final to land the coveted title.

Rotherham Golf Club have produced many fine golfers over the decades and it would appear that there is now a new kid on the block.

The South Yorkshire club can account for the upbringing of several young amateurs through the amateur ranks, many of which have gone on to turn professional and compete at the highest level, the most notable being Danny Willett. The Thrybergh club have dominated county golf for a number of years and it looks as though a new name may soon be added to their enviable list of top golfers.

The talented youngster has only been playing golf for a little over three years but displayed maturity beyond his years with a resurgent performance over a course ranked inside the top 100 in the world and as true a test of golf as you will get.

Teejay with the trophy

The triumph not only lands him the Northern Matchplay trophy but a wonderful golfing holiday to Spain courtesy of Golf de la Luz, the main sponsor of the championship.

The three-handicapper took on Bishop Auckland's Stephen Ridley (4 hcp) in the 36-hole final after both players produced golf of the highest order during the previous day to come through 18-hole quarter and then semi-final matches.

The win was the tenth consecutive victory for White, who was making his first appearance in the season-long competition.

White won five qualifying rounds to make the Yorkshire regional final at Pannal earlier in the month where he claimed two more scalps to progress to the two-day grand final. In the quarter-final at Alwoodley he defeated Runcorn's Michael Adams before beating John Goodland of Haydock Park in the last four tie.

After a confident start by both players, which couldn't split them, Ridley then enjoyed much the better of the morning session. The Durham man raced ahead and led by six holes after 13 but let three slip in a row from the 14th to stand just three-up at lunch. It could have been two but White failed to covert a relatively easy par scramble on the 18th, which would have won him the hole.

White in action during the first day quarter-final

That minor setback didn't deter the South Yorkshire player though and he soon reduced the arrears further with a win down the first hole straight after the break. Although still two down he now had the momentum, soon levelled the game and then hit the front. By the time the contest reached the 16th White was dormie three-up and that's where it ended with a 4&2 scoreline the eventual outcome.

For White, who is currently at college but would love to make it amongst the paid-ranks of the sport at some point in the future, it was the biggest win of his short career but on this showing likely to be the first of many.

Entries for the 2012 competition are now open with full details on the championship website www.northernmatchplay.com