National Junior Championship

This week, Sam competed in the Belgian national championship for juniors for the first time. Before, he was unable to compete because he did not have Belgian citizenship. So he had something to prove. Plus, the championship was played on one of his favorite courses in Belgium, Royal Hainaut, a classic designed and built in the 1930s by the famed golf architect Tom Simpson. The tournament was played over four days - and the sun was strong and welcoming.

Even so, the week did not work out as planned. Sam played regularly, shooting 75, 76, 74 and 75. He finished eighth. “I hit the ball well, but just could not putt,” he complained afterward, after the final round in which he counted half a dozen missed birdie putts. On the positive side, he only scored only a few bogeys and one double or triple bogey during the entire week.

Next up is qualifying for a real pro tournament.