The annual blue ribbon event in Ross Golf Club’s programme for handicap category division 1 men members is arguably the Mike Lane Trophy, played over 36 holes on a gross medal basis in honour of the late Mike Lane, a highly accomplished and fondly remembered former Ross Club Men’s Champion. It was therefore timely that the competition’s two rounds, played on separate days, coincided with the temporary return to club ranks of 21 year old scratch golfer, Niall Powell, having recently successfully completed his first two years of a Golf Scholarship at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, USA.

After Round 1’s 18 holes, the score-sheet was headed by 5 handicapper Simon Mills with an outstanding gross 72 round which included a remarkable front 9 holes completed at 5 under par with 3 birdies and an eagle. Simon was closely followed by Ross Juniors Captain, Liam Greig with 73, Niall Powell being well placed at 74, Harry Griffiths at 75 and Cam Haines and Tim Wyatt at 77.

However, with Liam, Cam and Harry unable to take part in the second round because they were all competing in the prestigious 36 holes Gloucestershire County Boys Annual Championship at The Bristol GC, where Cam ultimately finished runner-up, the stage was set for Niall to show his considerable experience and golfing abilities.

This he did to card a 1 under par gross 71 so that his combined 36 holes medal score of 145 meant that Simon Mills, with a combined 151, had to settle for the runners-up spot 6 shots behind Niall, with Tim Wyatt in 3rd place on 152 and Robin Eckley on 153 and 2017 Mike Lane Champion, Harvey Hancock on a combined 154.

For Niall, this latest success puts him in a very good place as he prepares to return to the United States in August, having been accepted for a two year International Competitive Scholarship at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Niall feels privileged to have qualified for this top level University, both in terms of attaining business management qualifications to help secure his future in the game, and in golf he will be competing at Division 1 status, being the highest level organised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) among Colleges and Universities across America.

Niall was honoured by the Ross Gazette as Young Sports Person of the year when their Annual Awards were introduced in 2013 with the THSG winning the Gazette’s Small Business of the Year category in 2015.

Tim Hall’s reputation has received notable recognition in the golfing industry and he was honoured by the Foremost Buying Group at their PGA National awards ceremonies in 2012 and 2013.