Bedford School’s Golf Scholars were on top form at the Bedfordshire Schools County Scratch Championships, taking home both boys’ titles and the team title.
In a first since the competition started over 30 years ago, Ed Wade (Remove Form) became the only player to ever hold both the U16 and U18 boys’ titles at the same time in the individual championships – a remarkable feat for the talented fourteen-year-old. Archie Mathers (Lower Sixth) and Freddie Tucker (Fifth Form) completed a clean sweep with second and third places respectively.
Bedford’s golfers also showed strength in numbers by taking the runners up spot in the team championship. The second team of Ed Wade, Freddie Tucker and Shaun Thomas (Fifth Form) just outperformed the school’s first team to take the title and, in the process, qualify to represent Bedfordshire in the ESGA National Team Championships to be held at the home of England Golf at Woodhall Spa next July.
The boys were also delighted to see Roisin Scanlon from Bedford Girls’ School, who regularly joins them for training at Woburn Golf Club, retain her individual title for the third successive year.
Finally, to wrap up a perfect day of golf, and because of their performances in the individual competition, Ed Wade, Freddie Tucker and Archie Mathers also gained automatic selection into the Bedfordshire Schools team. Next May, the three boys will play in the Southeast Schools Championship at St Neots Golf Club, Cambridgeshire, alongside Roisin Scanlon.
Ed Wade (Remove Form)
Freddie Tucker (Fifth Form)
Shaun Thomas (Fifth Form)
Technology and Performance
Whatever the weather, or indeed the world, throws at them, Bedford School’s golfers stay ahead of the game thanks to the introduction of a new state-of-the-art golf simulator.
The simulator, located in the school estate, enables boys of all ages and abilities to practise their driving skills from a choice of over 60 courses, both existing and fictional. With over 28 data points collected in every shot, boys, together with the school’s golf professionals, can accurately manage their performance and hone their technique as they play on a range of courses and in a wide selection of simulated weather conditions.
Since the simulator arrived, even more boys, including boys from the Prep School, who perhaps would not have the chance to play golf otherwise, have been introduced to the sport. School golf professional Holly Reddick commented, “The simulator gives us the ability to track and measure the boys’ progress, which really builds their confidence for when they’re out on the course. It’s an outstanding facility to have.”