A weekend dedicated to the German youth champions

The German Championships for age groups 14, 16 and 18 took place from September 12 to 14 at Westfälischer GC Gütersloh, Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf and Club zur Vahr. The German Golf Association (DGV) tournaments were held for boys and girls. The new German junior champions are Henry Liebwein (AK 14, GC München Eichenried), Konrad Feth (AK 16, Lübeck-Travemünder GK) and Tim Brohl (AK 18, GC Rhein-Sieg), while Helena Baraka (AK 14, GC St. Leon-Rot), Anna Bonerz (AK 16, GC St. Leon-Rot) and Sophie Bingel (AK 18, G&LC Berlin-Wannsee) came out on top in the girls' competition.

AK 18: Sophie Bingel and Tim Brohl successful

Memorable German Championships in the age group up to 18 years have come to an end at the Garlstedter Heide just outside Bremen. With a total score of 223 strokes, Sophie Bingel secured the title at her last German Youth Championship with rounds of 74, 77 and 72. Sara Nüßle from GC Domäne Niederreutin conjured up by far the best final round on the course. With her magnificent 69 (-5), a new women's course record, the talented player from the south jumped from 10th place in the north to second place (80, 76, 69, total 225) and in the end was only two points behind the new champion from Wannsee. The podium was completed by Johanna Kirch from Frankfurter GC, who played very evenly and solidly and claimed third place with 229 (76, 76, 77) strokes.

Tim Brohl from GC Rhein-Sieg went into the final round with a two-stroke lead. He was followed by Leopold Heß from G&LC Holledau, who played the first nine holes flawlessly and put the leader under pressure with three birdies. Brohl, on the other hand, had to record his second Bogey on green 9, while he had not yet managed a Birdie. The roles were thus reversed before the changeover to the back nine. Heß played three Bogeys in a row on the second nine holes, while Brohl stabilized himself with two Birdies. Despite two Bogeys, the victory was no longer in danger. Also because Julius Wunsch conceded a double par (eight strokes on a Par 4) on hole 14 after three birdies in a row (holes 10-12) and was no longer able to put pressure on the winner. Brohl won the title with rounds of 73, 69 and 76 (total 218 strokes) ahead of Leopold Heß (73, 73, 74, total 220) and Julius Wunsch (73, 71, 77, total 221).

AK 14/16 girls: Helena Baraka and Anna Bonerz win

Helena Baraka (GC St. Leon-Rot), who started the final day of the AK 14 as the leader, remained confident and extended her lead in the girls' competition from two to four strokes. By the time she walked down the 18th Fairway, she was pretty sure of her victory - and the final three Putt did nothing to change that. Baraka won with 217 strokes (73, 72, 72) ahead of the disciplined Jinlei Zhong (GC Mülheim an der Ruhr, 73, 74, 72), who finished the tournament with an even-par round and a total of 219 strokes (+3).

However, a fierce battle broke out for third place. In the end, three athletes won the bronze medal with 224 strokes (+8). First and foremost was Amelie Schmelcher (Marienburger GC), who put in a very strong final round with six birdies and a 68 (-4). She improved from ninth place to a podium finish. Nina Hayley Fischer (Stuttgart GC Solitude) and Emma Lola Holst (GC Hubbelrath) also took third place.

AK 14/16 boys: Henry Liebwein and Konrad Feth win titles

In the youngest age group of junior golfers (AK14), there was a neck-and-neck race for victory on the final day. Timo Issler (Münchener GC) started the decision with a one-stroke lead. In the end, however, things got exciting and both players teed off even par on the 18th hole. There were many indications of a possible play-off for victory. Issler landed on the green with his second shot on the Par 5 and had a very long eagle putt in front of him, while Liebwein found himself in the rough to the right of the green. Advantage Issler, presumably thought most of the numerous spectators in attendance. What followed was a thriller for the last Putt. Liebwein (72, 72, 72, total 215) holed out for Birdie after a strong Chip, Issler (70, 73, 73, total 216) had the chance to reach the play-off from a short distance, but his Putt missed the target by centimeters. Julius Gellermann from Hamburg GC (73, 72, 74, total 219) and Yuke Lu (77, 76, 66) from GC St. Leon-Rot were tied third.

There were also signs of an exciting duel for victory in the boys' age group 16 at the start of the final day. Bjarne Murr from Münchener GC, winner of the DM AK 14 last year, had taken a one-stroke lead over his closest rival, Konrad Feth from Lübeck-Travemünder GK, into the round, but found himself in the chasing pack after the first nine holes. Murr briefly caught up with Feth again with two Birdies at the end of the front nine, but in the end it was not enough to leave him behind. Feth took the title with a total of 211 strokes, playing consistent rounds of 71, 70 and 70. Murr (70, 70, 75, total 215) won the silver medal ahead of Felix Timm (75, 71, 72, total 218) from GC St. Leon-Rot.

(Text: German Golf Association)