ROYAL Jersey Golf Club’s Alex Guelpa is the new Rosscot Jersey Amateur Strokeplay champion.

The 23-year-old lifted the title for the first time on Saturday at La Moye Golf Club after winning the 72-hole championship by four strokes from Royal colleague and friend Matthew Parkman.

Guelpa, a former junior Island champion, claimed his first Jersey Golf Union senior competition success after leading throughout. Joint leader with three others after the first 18 holes on Thursday, he moved four strokes clear after the second 18 holes on Friday, his three-under-par score of 69 including three eagles – one of them being his first ever hole in one.

On Saturday when the final 36 holes were played, Guelpa increased his lead at 54 holes to five strokes before returning with a six-over score of 78 in the afternoon to finish top of the leader board. Guelpa said: ‘It was tough conditions all three days and I’m delighted to have won. In the final round I watched Matt [Parkman] birdie the first hole and I thought “careful he wants to win this!’’.’