JUST hours before his namesake was due to tee off for his final round at the 2016 Masters in Augusta, Petersfield Golf Club’s own Jordan Stephens sank a curling, right-to-left downhill putt to win the South Downs League match against Rowlands Castle Juniors.

Leading his match by three up on the 14th hole, his opponent played the next hole to par to give himself a glimmer of hope before walking on to the 146-yard, par-three, 15th hole. Stephens’ balanced swing sent the ball arcing straight at the hole and his nerveless putt never looked like missing. With his team ahead in the overall match, Stephens sealed the win with Petersfield emerging victors by four matches to two.

This was Petersfield juniors’ first match in this year’s South Downs League after an absence of a number of years in the competition, so it was a whole new experience for the untested team. On a windy and chilly afternoon, home advantage was to prove important against their more experienced and gracious opponents. The game was played in a friendly and sporting spirit with handshakes all round at the finish. Afterwards the team enjoyed a hearty meal of pizza and chips in the clubhouse, where the team captains’ speeches of thanks rounded off the event.