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Freshfaced 19yr old greenkeeper Mark Keevil lifts the cup at the Cornwall Championship. The young champ talks about how manners maketh the man and how entry to the competition turned out to be a family affair.

Name: Mark Keevil
Age: 19
Handicap: 4
Caddy : Father Colin Keevil
Score: 35
Occupation: Greenkeeper at Cumberwell GC
Home club: Cumberwell Park, Wiltshire
History: First time in the TT

Congratulations on your win as the TT Cornwall Champion! How does it feel?
It feels good, it was quite a shock at first but it's sort of settled in now. I don't think my dad was expecting me to do quite as well as I did but he's quite proud of me.

What made you enter the TT?
It was my mum that made me enter, she saw it in Golf International magazine and thought it would be good for me so that's how I heard it. She paid for my entry so I rang her straight after and she was very pleased as she wasn't expecting me to win at all!

I don't think my dad was expecting me to do quite as well as I did but he's quite proud of me.

Why made you choose Trevose?
I heard it was a very good golf course and a good place to play, plus it was the closest to where I lived. I've never played here before and it took us 3 hours to get here. We came on Sunday and played 9 holes in the evening and played Monday on the official practice course but I never played the back 9 as it was bad weather so it was all a bit of a gamble.

Tell us about your day. How did you feel you played?
It was very windy on the day so I changed my game a little bit. It made me think about my shots more as I had to take into consideration where the wind was coming from. I didn't start off too well, though by the middle section I managed to bring it back. At the end I thought I could make it to the top 9 and made it through to the second highest score.

I have played at the High 5 professional tournament in Spain although I have to say the Trilby Tour compares incredibly well - there's more sponsorship and banners on the TT than the professional and I'm impressed by how well run it is.

Have you played in many other Amateur championships?
Not like this. I've played in the Ian Poulter invitational last year although it's not really on the same scale. I have played at the High 5 professional tournament in Spain although I have to say the Trilby Tour compares incredibly well - there's more sponsorship and banners on the TT than the professional and I'm impressed by how well run it is.

How did you cope with the cameras on the day?
In the playoff it didn't really affect me that much at all as I kind of blocked them out and concentrated on my game. It got to me on the first tee and you get the announcement, but by the playoff I'd gotten used to it.

 

Where is your trophy now?
It's at home in the kitchen sitting next to the bottle of Gentleman Jack that I haven't drank yet!

Did you ever think you would get this far?
I wanted to but I didn't know if it was going to be realistic but I thought I would just go out there and do my best and see what happens really.

What are your thoughts on the final?
I'm very much looking forward to it but I'll try and stay as calm as possible. I'm not nervous at the moment I've walked the course and layout before. I think it would suit my game but I'll just do my best and play one shot at a time and see what happens.

What would winning the TT Championship mean to you?
It would mean a hell of a lot - it would be a very big achievement to me.

Tell me about your background?
My dad got me into golf when I was 11 and I started having junior lessons and playing through my school. The pro I used to have lessons with advised me to join Cumberwell and I started to take it more seriously then. Now I play every day after work and on my days off.

I take my game seriously - I play every day after work and even on my days off.

How did you find the clothing?
I thought it was very good, everyone has to look the same and it's good quality - I'll be wearing it again.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Winning the Trilby Tour Cornwall Championship.

Describe yourself in a sentence?
Kind, generous and outgoing.

My motto? - Manners go a long way

What's your motto in life?
Manners go a long way in life.

Who is your golf hero?
Luke Donald - he's an English player who's got a very good attitude on the golf course and is very talented. He's a steady guy - I try to stay calm on the course and also in real life.

Last words for William Hunt?
Thank you for the opportunity! It's been a pleasure to play in the TT and of course to win. The event is very well run and I'm very impressed with it - I look forward to seeing you at the finals.

 

To view the full results of the day click here