Spanish high life for rising York golf ace Julian Taylor (From York Press)

Spanish high life for rising York golf ace Julian Taylor

11:30am Saturday 7th November 2009 in

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FROM the three days that was to a stunning five-day fiesta is the 2010 attraction for rising York golf ace Julian Taylor.

The 17-year-old member of York Golf Club stunned the city scene when three days after being crowned the York Junior champion, Taylor finished third in the overall York Open championship featuring the area’s principal club professionals, as well as top male senior players.

Now the teenager has won through to the grand final of the Andalucia Junior European Open, the biggest junior event in the world.

It was Taylor’s dazzling exploits through the season that led him to being nominated by York GC junior organiser Don Fairclough for the Andalucia tournament.

Said Fairclough: “I’d say this is one of the best things to have happened to York GC.

“Julian is a credit to the game and he’s had a tremendous season, so it’s a great achievement both for him and the club to be playing in such a top tournament.”

Teenager Taylor has been accepted for the five days of competition from January 23 next year. Two rounds are played on a links course and two rounds on another circuit, before a cut takes the leading players into a final round at the renowned Finca Cortesin course in Casares on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

That is the same course where North Yorkshire’s most successful pro golfer, Simon Dyson, appeared in the Volvo World Match-play championships late last month.

The all-expenses paid trip and Andalacia accolade caps a memorable year for Taylor, who is now studying at Huntington School’s sixth-form college.

Back in high summer he thought little would be able to top his capture of the York Union of Golf Clubs’ junior title at Pike Hills and then returning to his host club, York GC, to finish third, a mere two shots off eventual winner Fulford GC’s Jamie Miller, for whom it was his third York Open success.

The Spain trip has changed that.

Declared Taylor: “When I realised I could be playing at the same course as the Volvo World Match-play, I thought “wow”.

“I’ve never been to Spain before, even on holiday, so it’s going to be quite exciting.”

The youngster, who, along with two other upcoming talents earned a place at a special training session under national coach and Sandburn Hall GC head pro Steve Robinson earlier this year, now plays off a handicap of one.

He will have his dad Peter in tow for the Andalucia tournament.

Said Taylor senior: “I’m carrying the bag for him and looking at how hilly the course was when watching the Volvo World Match-play championships, I’m going to have to improve my fitness to keep up.”