Hartpury College student Joe Buenfeld has been crowned European golf champion after winning a major tournament televised by Sky Sports.

Joe, who is studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Golf) at Hartpury, clinched top spot in the Junior European Open 2019 at Alcaidesa Golf Club on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

After the top scores were tied at the end of five rounds, Joe secured his place on the illustrious roll of honour after holding his nerve to win a play-off to decide the championship winner.

Underlining the strength of the Golf Academy at Hartpury, Matt Millar took fourth place in the same competition, while Julia Kerrigan was runner-up in the girls’ event.

Like Joe, Matt and Julia are studying the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Golf) as well as being members of the Golf Academy at Hartpury.

First staged in 1993, the Junior European Open is widely regarded as the toughest test in junior golf and attracts many potential world-class players of the future.

Current stars who have competed in the past include Luke Donald and Justin Rose – both former number one in the world – who each finished in third place when they took part in 1993 and 1996 respectively.

Matt Ellis, Manager of the Golf Academy at Hartpury, said: “The standard of play in the Junior European Open is exceptionally high and it’s an extremely tough tournament to win.

“Joe had a testing summer when results didn’t go quite as well as he’d hoped, but he has shown the right attitude, worked hard at his game and remained patient.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that he has gained his reward in one of the biggest tournaments in the world for junior players."See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition http://www.rossgazette.com/subscribe.cfm";>here