GOLF: Sleaford student William crowned North of England champion

A student from Carre's Grammar School has won a very prestigious golf competition.

Sixteen-year-old William Hopkins triumphed in the North of England U16 Open Amateur Strokeplay Championships at Harrogate.

The competition is second most prestigious one for under 16-year-olds in the country, and William became North of England champion after four rounds and 72 holes at Pannal Golf Club.

William scored 287, winning by four shots. From a field of 144, only 40 made the cut after two days, with William leading at the end of both the first and second day.

On the morning of the final two rounds, he was emailed his GCSE results, but he chose to wait until he had finished playing before opening them. He did very well which was a fitting end to a successful day.

William was National Schoolboy Champion last year and has been part of the East Midlands England Regional Squad for two years.

He belongs to both Sleaford and Belton Park Golf Clubs and plays for Belton men’s A Team, Lincolnshire Under-16s and Under-18s, as well as the men’s B Team.

This year he was awarded the Sports Person of the Year accolade by the Mayor of Sleaford.