LIPHOOK Golf Club member Sam West has won the English Schools’ Golf Association’s under-16 boys’ championship.

West won the boys’ title by just one shot at Thetford Golf Club in Norfolk.

West, a pupil at Churcher’s College in Petersfield, returned a three-over par 75 in the morning but stormed back after lunch with a fine three-under par 69 to pip Dorset’s Jacob Tidswell, who shot 73 and 72, with Yorkshire’s Jack Whaley three shots back in third place.

After receiving the winner’s trophy, West, who is a member of the England Golf Regional South squad, said that the conditions had been tricky but he had enjoyed the course and challenge.

West said the secret of his win was that he had “battled back well” after being four shots over par at one stage.

During the presentation ceremony, England Schools’ Golf Association president John Quinby paid tribute to the Thetford clubhouse and greens staff for their work. Prizes were handed out by Thetford’s men’s club captain Bob Pearson and ladies’ captain Margaret Hayward.

West, who is supported by the East Hampshire Elite Sports Grant, qualified for the finals last October when he won both the Hampshire schools’ under-16s and under-18s titles by shooting one-under par at Cams Hall, Fareham, against a strong field of 55 Hampshire school and college junior golfers.

He will now take his place in the English Schools’ Golf Association’s international team to play against Wales at Llanwern Golf Club in Gwent on August 27.