University of Northwestern Ohio graduate Lewis Scott excited to make Hampshire bow in South East Colts League Final

Now the University of Northwestern Ohio graduate has a chance to earn some silverware when he makes his Hampshire debut in the South East Colts League Final at Basingstoke’s Weybrook Park on Sunday, writes Andrew Griffin.

The Lee-on-the-Solent GC member, who went to Crofton School and Itchen College, has been a later developer, having only taken up the game when he was 14.

Now after three years in the States, Lewis will line up alongside the likes of Portsmouth-based Hampshire first team player Sam Parsons and last year’s county champion Owen Grimes as Hampshire, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands take on Essex.

His selection chances were boosted when he finished fourth in the Mike Smith Memorial at Brokenhurst Manor in August against the top players in the county, finishing just three shots behind Jordan Sundborg.

The unavailability of Sundborg – the reigning European Universities Champion – opened the door for his debut.

And Scott, who will spend the winter deciding on whether to turn pro next season, cannot wait to make his Colts bow.

The 24-year-old said: ‘I wasn’t part of the Hampshire junior set up having started playing at 14.

‘I won a few junior opens at Southwick and Meon Valley, but my game came on at Ohio – I won some big tournaments.’

They included the RoadRunner Classic in May, beating the top five teams in his conference, after shooting six-under over 54 holes – just a week after winning the Shootout at Stonehedge.

Lewis added: “That was what got my WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) going. I was one shot off the individual leader at the NAIA National Finals, in Arizona in May, finishing fourth overall.

‘I played in the Solent Salver, finishing top 10 at Stoneham and then fourth in the Mike Smith.

‘It was really to see how I compared against the best Hampshire players because I was not sure what to expect.’

It attracted the attention of Riddett, who was looking for possible reinforcements with the change of rules two years ago meaning no under-18 players are eligible.

Hampshire have played Essex in three of the last four Colts finals, winning one, losing one and drawing the other.

Blackmoor GC’s Parsons made his first team debut against Essex in the men’s South East League Final, a year ago, and was held to a half in the last match as Hampshire, IoW & CI lost by a point.

But he did see Hampshire Colts over the line in the win at Sussex’s Seaford GC, in 2016.

Parsons played with Rowlands Castle’s Billy McKenzie in the foursomes when Essex claimed home advantage, and the trophy at The Warren, two years ago with a 7-5 win when Sam lost the anchor match 2&1.

Hayling’s Josh Smeed, who made his debut against Kent in July, keeps his place for the final.