Cornwall's Sami Giles wins Andalucia title
31st January 2011

Sami Giles (Picture Courtesy of Fred Moghadam of golforganiser.com)

Cornwall's Sami Giles won a sudden death play-off to snatch victory in the girls' event at the Andalucia Junior European Open in association with the Daily Express.

Sami, from St Mellion, defeated Poppy Finlay of Cheshire with a par three on the first extra hole at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Spain. It was the first time the title had been decided in a play-off.

There was high drama as both girls came to the end of regulation play. Poppy, from Vicars Cross, looked odds on to win the competition but she drove out of bounds on the 18th and scored a desperately disappointing triple bogey eight.

Sami, meanwhile, hit a majestic approach in the last but thought she had to hole her 12-footer for victory - when in fact she had two for the title. She three-putted - and the two girls headed for the 10th and into extra time.

Sami, 16, has trained with the English Women's Golf Association Super Birdies Squad and last year won the Cornwall girls' championship.

The boys' title was won by the hot favourite, Max Orrin of North Foreland, Kent.

Entry forms for the 2011 event will be sent to all the UK golf clubs next month. Full details www.golforganiser.com

Girls' final results

238 Sami Giles (St. Mellion) 77 84 77; Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross, Cheshire) 81 77 80. Sami won on the first extra hole        
241 Sarah Bradshaw (Stoneham, Hants) 80 80 81
253 Nicola Foster (Pinner Hill, Middlesex) 85 81 87

Picture Courtesy of Fred Moghadam of golforganiser.com