Young Malta golfer Noah Gratil wins Southern European Trophy

Places 38th in R&A Junior Open

Noah Gratil secured a prestigious honour to his CV after winning the Southern European Trophy.

This biennial event managed to attract a total of 109 emerging boy and girl golfers, all under sixteen years of age, from all golfing nations affiliated to The R&A are invited.

Malta’s representatives were Gratil and Laya Cristina who are members at the Royal Malta Golf Club and play off a handicap of 5.8 and 6.1 respectively and coached by golf professional, Henning Schulze Doering (Golf Academy Malta).

Gratil ended his first day with a creditable three over par, whilst Cristina struggled with a score of 17 over par.

Unfortunately, Cristina withdrew from the event after the first day.

Gratil followed his first day score with a seven over par for the course on the second day which gave him an aggregate score of ten over par.

At this point, the cut for the third day was established and the regional trophies were awarded.

Noah was declared winner of the Southern European Trophy.

Only 80 players proceeded to the third and final day of the competition which was led by Connor Graham from Scotland with a gross score of eight under par.

He shot five under par on the third and final day to finish at thirteen under par five shots clear from R. Chantananuwat from Thailand and be declared the winner of the tournament.

Gratil returned a score of six over par on the third and final day to finish the tournament with an aggregate score of sixteen over par to place him in 38th place – still a very creditable position for this 14-year-old.

This is the third trophy brought home from this prestigious tournament. The first one was in 2004 and the second in 2018.

The championship was played on the Monifieth Golf Links course in Scotland.