31st October 2009: Jonathan Bell emerged victorious yesterday after a scintillating final round of the Faldo Series Grand Final in the Olympic city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Watched by Nick Faldo, who was closely following the close of his 13th Grand Final, the 18-year-old from London led from the first round. He contended well with hot, humid conditions yesterday to card a one over par score of 73, enough to claim outright first place.
Lowest score of the day was achieved by Pedro Costa Lima from Sao Paolo whose four under par 68 put him at the top of the Boys Under 21 category. Oliver Carr, 16, of Prenton won the Boys Under 16 category.
Bell commented: “It’s been a wonderful event. Having Nick here has made it a very special week for me; I’ve loved every minute. Being in Brazil has been a totally different experience for me – the people, the surroundings, the culture – it’s all been great. Having a man of Nick’s calibre here to take clinics and learn from makes this a very different tournament.”
The overall girls' champion was Holly Clyburn, 18, of Cleethorps. 15-year-old Brogan Townend of Blackburn won the Girls Under 16 category.
Faldo commented: “It has given me immense pleasure to host what has been such a successful tournament. I want to congratulate all of the players and in particular our new champion Jonathan Bell. I would also like to thank all of our sponsors, without whom it would not be possible to create these opportunities on such an impressive scale.”
“I also want to thank the people of Rio de Janeiro for the warm welcome that we have received this week. To have such an iconic city as a backdrop for our event has made it very special. Overall the tournament has been a resounding success and I congratulate all of the finalists for their conduct and enthusiasm both on and off the course. I look forward to meeting many of them next year and wish them the very best of luck for the forthcoming season.”
Michael Nagy of Golf Corporate Brazil commented: “This has been such a great week both for the Faldo Series and for golf development in Brazil as a whole. Golf is very much a current concern in Brazil and in Rio in particular; with the Olympics being held here in 2016 and golf now confirmed as a part of that, established events like this will be so important in developing the game in this country. I want to pass on my congratulations to all of the winners and of course to Nick himself.”
Faldo presented Bell with the Harold Riley prize at a gala dinner held in the finalists’ honour last night. The age-group champions will be invited to the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in China and Bell and Clyburn, as overall boy and girl champion, will receive a start in a professional event.
As part of a number of off-course activities throughout the week, Faldo hosted a skills challenge for all of the 72 finalists, offering them an insight into some of the various demands that they might experience on the golf course.
The six-time Major winner also spent time with young children from the local community as part of the Faldo Series’ efforts to offer opportunities through the sport at a grass-roots level. Present at the introductory clinic were children from the R&A-supported Japeri project, which works with local favela children.
The Faldo Series would like to thank all of its generous sponsors, including: The R&A, the European Tour, Golf Corporate Brazil and the Secretary of State for Sport and Tourism of Rio de Janeiro.