Joe Emery, Captain of the Bolton School Boys’ Division golf team, has returned from the European Junior Open, held in Andalusia, Spain, having placed fifth. The competition is widely considered as the toughest test in junior golf across Europe. Going into the final day, Joe had been top of the leader-board and was interviewed by Sky Sports. Mr Coffey, Head of Golf in the Boys’ Division, said: ‘This prestigious tournament has been running for thirty years and notable finalists in the past have included Justin Rose and Nick Dougherty, who was in the audience. Joe’s fifth place finish is a tremendous achievement which will no doubt be a great stepping stone for his progression in the sport.’
Earlier in the year, Joe finished runner-up at the North West Junior Open in the summer and placed in various other open competitions including Pleasington Junior Open, Bolton Junior Open and Hillside Junior Open as well as placing third at the Lancashire Boys’ Championship, a competitive annual event for the best junior golfers in the county.
During the course of a season, Joe plays at Open events all around the country, including the St Andrews Junior Open and Royal Birkdale. He has played for the Bolton School team since Year 8 and recently competed in a school competition at Royal Liverpool Golf Club where the Open was held this year.
Joe, a Year 13 student, has been playing golf since he was five years old and currently plays at Harwood and Pleasington Golf Club. He was a member of the Lancashire Under 18s’ squad but from next season will no longer be eligible as a Junior. A keen sportsman, Joe played a wide range of sports when he was younger but took up golf when his grandparents bought him a course of lessons and some clubs for his fifth birthday.
After Bolton School, Joe is planning to go to university in the US under a golf scholarship to continue his career.
