Ben Schmidt and Mimi Rhodes win 35th Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship 2019

Ben Schmidt added his name to the trophy won by professional golfer Justin Rose MBE in 1997, after he secured this year’s Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship title at Quinta Do Lago in Portugal on Friday November 15.  

Schmidt, of Rotherham Golf Club, ran away from the field to win by 15 shots. The 17-year-old recorded three sub-70 rounds to complete a stunning year where he reached world no 8 in the men’s amateur rankings, became the youngest winner of the Brabazon Trophy and also won the Carris Trophy. 

The girls’ Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship trophy was won by Mimi Rhodes, of Burnham & Berrow GC. 

Rhodes, 17, prevailed on a final day which began with five players in serious contention, the Millfield School pupil finishing on seven over, three shots ahead of Darcey Harry, of the Vale Resort.    

Her name joins an illustrious roll call of former winners which includes Sophie Walker, Melissa Reid and current US women’s tour player Jodie Ewart Shadoff.

This year’s competition attracted 22,000 entries, the largest number of competitors in any golfing competition worldwide. Contested over three days on the North Course at Quinta Do Lago, the 54-hole event features 12 boys and 12 girls.  

They were treated to meeting Justin Rose, who made a surprise appearance on Wednesday and Thursday, dispensing advice and holding a golf clinic for the finalists.

Inaugurated by The Telegraph in 1985, the competition has helped produce major stars including Justin Rose, Melissa Reid, Tommy Fleetwood, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Matt Fitzpatrick.  

Sky Sports filmed the finals at Quinta Do Lago in Portugal, and a highlights programme of the Championships will be broadcast in December. 

Adam Sills, Head of Sport at The Telegraph, said: “Congratulations to both the winners and to all the juniors who took part in this year’s Championships.  It’s been great to see the wealth of talent that exists in the junior game and to have a player of Justin’s calibre backing the Championships and inspiring the next generation of professionals.”