BIRTHDAY boy Sam Church celebrated becoming 16 in style by winning the Andalucía Junior European Open in Spain.

The China Fleet member defeated regional finalists from across the UK to win the national competition.

Sam qualified for the 'champions week' on the Nicholas at St Mellion. The Open's qualifying rounds were played at Estepona Golf Club, which boasts The Links and The Heathlands courses.

The final was played at Finca Cortesin, the venue of the Volvo Matchplay Championship in May.

Competitors played two rounds on each Estepona course, the best from each counting towards their score to qualify for the final round. Sam qualified with rounds of 75, three-over par, and a level-par 72.

He went into the final as the joint leader. During the final round, Sam stuck with his game plan, plotting his way round a difficult golf course. Sam finished with a 73 for a total of 220 to win the competition by two strokes.

Sam, who celebrated his 16th birthday during the week, was speechless after his win. He thanked his dad, Peter, for carrying his bag and caddying for him, Dominic Rehaag, his coach, and Pete Styring, his personal trainer at China Fleet, for their help and support.

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