Sebastian goes for big double in

Carris Trophy at Wallasey

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Having already secured the Under 16 title, Sebastian Crookall-Nixon will seek a notable double when he competes in the English Boys Under 18 Open Stroke Play Championship for the Carris Trophy at Wallasey Golf Club from July 22 to 24.
But he faces strong opposition, not least from a string of boy internationals from England and Europe as well as most of the English Under 18 and Under 16 Squads.
Crookall-Nixon, only 14, from Cumbria, won the Under 16 title for the McGregor Trophy earlier this month at High Post in Wiltshire, winning by two strokes from Jamie Carney from Birmingham in a quality field of home and overseas players.
A year ago, when the Carris Trophy was held at Saunton in Devon, Matt Haines from Kent was crowned champion but he is too old to defend the title. However, his nearest challengers on that occasion will be among the favourites this time.
Chris Lloyd, 16, from Bristol, who finished two strokes behind Haines, is in the field as is Garrick Porteous, 18, from Northumberland, third last year. Four members of the England team that won the bronze medal in the recent European Boys Team Championships in Slovenia, Stiggy Hodgson, Tom Lewis, Gary King and Darren Renwick, are also competing, as is Adam Myers, runner-up to Crookall-Nixon at High Post.
Local interest is likely to centre on Tom Boys from Royal Liverpool, while the entries also includes Edward Peters, the Nottinghamshire Boy Champion.
The field also includes players from many countries in Europe while there are also entries from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
There will also be a Nations Cup, kindly donated by Moor Park Golf Club, competed for over the opening two rounds with the best two scores from three in each round to count.
England will field two teams, the A Team comprising Stiggy Hodgson, Tom Lewis and Jake Shepherd while the B Team will be made up of Tom Boys, Gary King and Darren Renwick.
The other teams likely to be taking part are Finland, Germany, Italy, South Africa and Spain. The field of 132, which will be reduced to the leading 45 and ties after 36 holes, possess a handicap of one or better. Previous winners of the Carris include Sandy Lyle, Peter Baker, Ken Brown and Justin Rose.