Top up-and-coming golfers took part in the 2015 McGinley Junior Cup at Quinta do Lago and talented Portuguese teenager João Girão emerged victorious. Girão, 16, a part of Portugal’s successful team in Division Two at the recent 2015 European Amateur Team Championships in Poland, carded an impressive two-under-par round of 70 on Quinta do Lago’s renowned Laranjal course to clinch the overall gross title.
The Portuguese international, who plays off a plus 1.3 handicap at Oporto Golf Club, not only won the trophy presented by European Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley but also secured a coveted wild card to 2015 Daily Telegraph BMW Junior Championship. This prestigious 54-hole junior tournament has in the past been won by world stars including Justin Rose, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Melissa Reid and Carly Booth. Girão now has the chance to add his name to the roll call of honours when the event takes place on Quinta do Lago’s North Course from October 12-17.
This McGinley Junior Cup is open to all boys and girls up to the age of 18 was played over 18 holes with prizes in four different handicap categories. This year’s event attracted a high-class field including national under-14 champion Calvin Holmes, Girão’s brother Afonso – also a Portuguese international – and 2015 US Kids’ European aged eight-and-under winner Matthew Golovanov.
Taking advantage of ideal conditions, 11-year-old Lucas Azinheiro, playing off 5, was the Category Two winner with a tremendous score of 40 Stableford points. The girls’ competition featured an equally impressive victory as 13 year old Filipa Capelo, playing off 16, also won with 40 points.
The Category Three winer on 39 points was Max van der Heijden, playing off 12. Yet another potentially very bright star of tomorrow was 8 year old American Matthew Golovanov who underlined his enormous promise by scoring 22 points over nine holes to win the ‘Benjamin’s’ Category off a handicap of 17.
Once again the McGinley Junior Cup at Quinta do Lago lived up to its great reputation for showcasing a sparkling array of young golfing talent. The 2015 Daily Telegraph BMW Junior Championship in October is now the next target for Portugal’s João Girão who – like so many talented juniors on show at the event – promises to be a golfing star in the not too distant future.