TWO of the region's top young golfers have narrowly missed out on a place in the British College's South West golf team following the recent regional qualifiers at Cape Cornwall.

Andrew Hale, from Chipping Sodbury, and Dan Durber, from Wotton-under-Edge, were both part of the Filton College Golf Academy's six-man team at the event in Penzance, and both can consider themselves highly unlucky not to have secured a place in the team.

Hale, 18, was the academy's best finisher, hitting 75 on the par 69 course. However, this score ensured that Hale missed out on a place in the team by a painful one shot as he finished in sixth place.

In finding a very small bunker in a vast expanse of fairway on the 17th hole, his misfortune ultimately lead to a bogey, which unfortunately cost him a place.

Meanwhile, Durber, 16, played his part in the team effort, being three over after 14 holes and looking good for a coveted South West team place. However, with a place in his sights, Durber lost out to a couple of unfortunate shots and some bad luck over his next two holes to finish with a score of 79.

Cape Cornwall Golf Club was hosting the South West Colleges regional final for the first time. Located on the very tip of the Cornish peninsula, the course proved to be the picturesque setting for what turned out to be a cliffhanger of a qualifier.

The golf club had the facilities to match its breathtaking setting - a course that boasts an sss68, par 69, 18-hole golf course and some perfect challenges for a club golfer or low handicap golfer.

In the event, the South West's best college golfers came head-to-head in order for a select committee to select a team of just four to represent the region at the national finals in Loughborough later this month.

Filton College's Golf Academy were among the hopefuls with their six-man team, although their bid for glory ultimately ended in narrow defeat.

Following the event, team manager and PGA pro Peter Langford said: "Although we missed out this time, we have taken a lot of positives from the event.

"The team conducted themselves admirably on both days, looked smart and professional and were a credit to the academy. We will reflect with the other academy students about what we have learnt - a big part of which is learning to deal better with the bad breaks that links golf will inevitably bring and that the students aren't used to."

Meanwhile, the Filton College team now have their sights set on the upcoming National FE Championships on April 18 and then the Avon Schools Championships on April 25, which both represent an excellent chance for the players to bounce back and maintain their 100% winning record in college matches this year.