Woodhall Spa golfer Nathan Kimsey, whom we reported, recently, winning the U.K’s Peter McEvoy Trophy, has just returned from a successful trip to the U.S.A, playing in what is probably the biggest and most prestigious Under-19 events in the world. 

The Sage Valley Invitational plays host to the top 54 amateur under-19 year olds in the world and Nathan, along with England team-mate Callum Shinkwin, are England’s 2 brightest golfers. 

Sage Valley is privately owned golf club, situated less than 10 miles from the famous Augusta golf course.  The 7,344 yard golf course and country club was established by U.S millionaires who could not gain membership to Augusta and Sage Valley emulates Augusta in every sense of quality and prestige. 

The enormity of this event was underlined when the week started with an Am/Am (Amateur/Amateur) competition, where the 54 participants were, effectively seen as the Professionals, similar to a Pro/Am competition and were accompanied by 3 older amateurs who each paid $2,500 each to accompany the players!  The tournament had over 17 major sponsors including Electrolux, Cocoa Cola and Mercedes-Benz.  Each player was given their own professional caddie whom donned the same white boiler suits as the caddies at Augusta. 

The course was immaculate and the greens were super quick compared to anything in the UK and would be seen as a true best amongst golfing’s best. 

Nathan had a great first round of 68 (4 under), but a local lad had a remarkable 62 (10 under), which beat the course record by 3 shots!  Effectively this score was on course to win the tournament and the rest of the field, including Nathan would only be able to contemplate climbing the leader-board as high as possible. 

Nathan struggled a little in the following 2 remaining rounds, but dug deep to finish both of them 1 under par on each with a total finish of 210 (6 under), which was good enough to tie in 5^th place.  This score equalled his playing partner U.S player Justin Thomas who was favourite coming into the tournament and is currently in the Top 10 World Men’s Amateur Order of Merit. 

Nathan’s England team-mate Callum could only finish in tied 33^rd place with an 8 over total. 

Nathan commented “it was a fantastic experience, the quality of accommodation, golf course and organisation was second to none.  I played solidly in the first round, but struggled in the final 2.  I am though, happy in the fact that there were world class players out there and knowing that I could have played better, still managed to finish in 5^th place”. 

Nathan can be proud that he has competed at the highest level in a country and environment that he is unaccustomed to.  It proves that Nathan is indeed, a big fish in a big pond!