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What a week it has been for junior golf at Ross-on-Wye.

On Sunday and Monday, two of our youngest golfers delivered performances that stopped the clubhouse in its tracks. One equalled a course record that has stood for over a decade. The other qualified for a national final hosted by a golfing knight. These are not normal weeks. These are weeks that remind us why we pour so much into junior development.

Let me tell you about both.

Leo Powell: A 64 for the Ages

Leo Powell arrived at Sunday's second round of the Scratch Cup in an unusual position. After an opening round he himself described as "average"—one over par—he found himself five shots off the lead. For many top amateurs, that gap can feel like a mountain.

But Leo had already faced his biggest battle in that first round. A lost ball on the 4th hole led to a triple bogey. Most players would have let that define their day. Leo did the opposite.

What followed from that moment was nothing short of extraordinary.

Leo showed class, guts, and pure determination. Over the remaining holes of the Scratch Cup, he played the kind of golf that makes spectators stop and stare. He shot eight under par across the rest of the tournament. Let me repeat that. Eight under par. From a triple bogey to a course-record equalling round.

His flawless second round of 64 included:

• 2 eagles (on the 8th and 16th)
• 4 birdies (on the 1st, 10th, 12th and 14th)

That 64 equals the course record set by Tyler Hogerty back in 2013. Rounds like this simply don't come around very often. When they do, you know you're watching something special.

Leo has only been back from the United States for a week, having just completed his first year of a golf scholarship at Midland College in Texas. His game has clearly come on leaps and bounds. He looks like a complete player now—more composed, more strategic, more dangerous. This performance certainly marks the player he is starting to become.

His magnificent two-round feat saw him tie for the lead with none other than Nick Day—a multiple Scratch Cup winner and one of the finest players in the Gloucestershire Golf Union. The trophy was decided by a four-hole playoff played over the 1st, 2nd, 15th and 16th. Nick eventually prevailed.

But here's a lovely twist. The last time the Scratch Cup was decided by a playoff, it was Leo's brother Niall who stood opposite Nick Day. Some things in golf come full circle.

Walter Hall: Off to the Belfry

Then came Monday.

While Leo was still basking in his 64, another of our juniors was writing his own headline. Walter Hall represented Ross-on-Wye in the regional finals of the Faldo Futures tournament at Cumberwell Park Golf Club.

The Faldo Futures is now a globally recognised junior tour, with local, regional, national and world competitions for all age groups. Walter competed in the 7-8 year old category, which was fiercely contested in the heat of Monday's weather. Over 4000 rounds had been played in just the local qualifying events, a vast number just showing the strength of junior golf in the UK. 

For those who know Walter, his dedication is no surprise. The hours he spends on the putting green, the chipping green, and let's be honest—selling golf balls from his ever-expanding collection—have allowed him to really hone his game for the shorter courses played on the Futures Tour.

He didn't have his A game on Monday. But great players find a way. Walter managed to qualify for the National Finals, held during British Masters week at the Belfry. He will compete on Wednesday 26th August—which happens to be Pro-Am day before the main British Masters begins.

As if that wasn't exciting enough, he also gets a clinic with the man himself, Sir Nick Faldo. Walter is, to put it mildly, super excited about that.

A Junior Section 14 Years in the Making

These two performances show the real strength of our junior section.

Fourteen years in the making, and performances like these are starting to become the norm rather than the exception. That fills all of us with immense pride—not just the coaches, not just the parents, but everyone who has played a part in building this environment.

Our club is fast being recognised as a junior hub. That reputation is hard-earned and well-deserved. It's a credit to everyone involved, but especially to our membership, who continue to embrace junior golf with such enthusiasm and warmth.

Within the last two months, we have also received two very special donations—one from the club's very own Bridge section—which will continue to help us fund different projects to develop this special section even further.

Final Thought

Leo and Walter represent two different ages, two different tournaments, and two different styles of golf. But they share the same determination, the same love for the game, and the same bright future.