Baines School trio the best in England

Tom Blackhurst and brothers Louis and Harvey Talarczyk led Baines to the English schools’ team championship on the Bracken course at Woodhall Spa.

The trio from the Poulton school scored 75 points to win the prized salver that went to the young victors.

They beat Lode Heath School, from Solihull in the West Midlands, and Standish High, near Wigan who both had 73 points.

“This is a first for our school,” said Baines physical education teacher Dan Vernon.

“I’m very proud of them.”

Golf is on the curriculum at the school but this is the first Baines team to win through to the national final as they made it a victorious debut.

Louis, 15, led the way for the team with 40 points – which also won the individual prize – and was supported by Tom, a four-handicapper who contributed 35 points.

Harvey, who plays off one, was able to discount his card of 34 points.

The 18-year-old Tom said: “We were joking on the way down here that we might be returning as champions, but really we were thinking more of the top ten and we were hoping to be number one in Lancashire.”

The team were among the earlier starters and had a long wait before their score was confirmed as the winning total.

“We’ve been staring at the scoreboard for four hours,” said Tom, who made an unlikely par on his last hole to secure his score.

“It’s a bit surreal,” Louis admitted.

All three are members at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club while the brothers also belong to Royal Lytham and St Annes and play for Lancashire boys.

They qualified for the final at their county schools’ event at Preston when all three scores counted.

Both Tom and Harvey, also 18, found the putting challenging and even Louis, who played round in level par gross 72, felt he’d left shots on the course.

“Tee to green I played really well and I hit 15 or 16 greens,” said the four-handicapper. “I did make three birdies but my putting wasn’t as good as it should have been.”

The three birdies – all in the last four holes on the homeward nine – were crucial,