Summer School

age 17

owgr/wagr 1599/197

lives dubai, uae

“This summer taught me a lot about grinding which is a great asset to have in my locker.”

Josh Hill

The Dubai-based MENA Tour winner reflects on a UK summer campaign that saw him called up to the U-18 Great Britain & Ireland team for the prestigious Jacques Léglise Trophy and then the full England amateur men’s team for the Home Internationals

If I had to give my summer a mark out

of 10, I think it was a five overall as there were some solid results but I never felt that I played my best golf. I learnt a lot though which I can take away and use to improve my game going forward.

The standout tournament for me was playing and winning for England in the Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals. It’s always great to represent your country but coming out with a win is even better and I really enjoyed the experience.

St Andrews is always a great week

and experience. It was great to get into contention [at the St Andrews Links Trophy where Hill missed out on a playoff by one stroke] and give myself a chance to win but coming up just short hurt a lot!

It was an honour to be selected to

play for GB&I in the Jacques Leglise Trophy in Sweden. Although it wasn’t the result that the team had hoped for, it was an amazing experience and I’m thankful to the R&A and EGA for making it happen with all the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

To be selected for the Men’s Home

Internationals was, once again, a great honour. Having played against many of the English men throughout the season it was great to come together as a team and try and win for your country.

I never felt that I played to my full

potential during the summer but it taught me a lot about grinding out results and scores which is a valuable lesson and a great asset to have in my locker. I’m really happy that although I didn’t have my ’A’ game I still managed to dig deep, find consistency and get some good results.

I am very appreciative that I had the opportunity to travel for five months and play some great tournaments but it is really good to get back home, have a rest and see my friends. I’m looking forward to getting back into training and working on my game using all the lessons that I have learnt from the summer.

The first few months [travelling in the

COVID era] were fine and I was lucky enough to be staying at a friend’s house in between tournaments which I can’t thank them enough for. The last month was quite challenging staying in hotels but I kept focused and concentrated on my golf. It was a shame that some tournaments were cancelled early in the season due to COVID-19 but for those that went ahead they were very well organised and as long as you stuck to the protocols, everything was fine.

I think U.S. college is a great pathway

to pro golf and I am in discussions with a few colleges as we speak. As you’ll be aware, the amateur sponsorship status will be changing in January so with regard to 2022 planning, my first objective in the next three months is to raise some sponsorship money. This will hopefully give me opportunities to travel to the top worldwide amateur events. —with kent gray