By Danny Hall

JACK COPE of Minchinhampton New Golf Club, is the Gloucestershire amateur champion at just 17.

He is the youngest-ever winner in the event's 101-year history. Former winners of the title include Ryder Cup star Chris Wood, who lifted the 2016 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

England Boys international Jack finished runner-up last year but went one better this time when returning a superb 14-under par four-round total of 274 (66, 69, 68, 71) at Cotswold Hills Golf Club which left him six shots clear of the field.

That was enough to give Jack the Challenge Cup as Men’s Champion but also the Colts Cup (best U22 performance over the first 36 holes) and the Peter Scott Trophy (best U18 performance over the first 36 holes).

No-one has ever won all three trophies at the same tournament and for good measure his opening round of 66 (-6) was a new Cotswold Hills course record.

Jack will now represent Gloucestershire in the England Golf County Champion of Champions event in September at Woodhall Spa.

He has also accepted an invitation to play for England at the Irish Boys tournament at Castletroy in Limerick at the end of June.

Due to exam commitments he is unable to play for England in Germany at the end of this month nor can he play for Gloucestershire during the prestigious South West week in June.

Jack is coached by Minchinhampton pro and former European tour player Stuart Little. Leading by five at the halfway stage, Jack shot a four-under-par 68 to extend his lead over and followed it up with a one-under-par 71 in the final round to take the title.

Runner-up in the championship on 280 (-8) was defending champion Nick Day (Henbury), with Jake Phillips (Cotswold Hills) in third on 283.

Next in was Alex Ireland (Brickhampton Court) whose four-round total was 285.

Former champions Laurie Potter (Cotswold Hills) and Tom Workman (The Players Club) finished fifth and sixth respectively on totals of 288 and 291.