LORETTO WIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT

By DAVID QUIN
The National Finals of the Independent Schools Tournament took place at Lingfield Park on May 1 and 2 and were won by Loretto for the first time. They were runners-up in 2008 and 2010.
Fifteen schools had qualified from 125 school teams throughout the UK.
The wind played a major part in the scores on the parkland course with small greens and tree lined fairways. After the first day's play Millfield B team were on 157, one shot ahead of Loretto (158), with five other schools within five shots of the lead.
All to play for on day 2. Tough scoring conditions saw James Gregg take the individual lead on day 1 with a 75.
As the scores started coming in from day 2 it was still all to play for. Millfield A team slipped away early and their B team came in with a 78 and 83 to put them four shots behind Loretto. The last groups had the low scoring players from day 1, Hampton schools first player came in with a 78 and nervous Loretto teachers and supporters were waiting to see if Hamptons' second player could perform as well as the first day to take the title. In the end Hampton slipped to joint fourth along with Reeds.
Birkdale came third with two impressive rounds from James Gregg (75, 80)
James Gregg (Birkdale) takes the Individual title with his trophy a Galvin Green waterproof and signed book from Butch Harmon
FINAL TEAM TOTALS
314 Loretto A. 318 Millfield B. 324 Birkdale. 329 Reeds, Hampton. 332 Millfield A. 335 Wellington, Loretto B. 336 Rugby. 337 Worksop. 343 Leeds. 360 Malvern. 361 Haberdashers. 365 George Watsons. No Return: St Josephs.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
155 James Gregg (Birkdale) 75 80.
156 Matthew Sheehan (Millfield).
157 Max Walz (Loretto).

Full report and scores can be seen on the ISGA websites with pictures from both rounds
http://www.isga.org.uk/
www.isga.eu