While golf has been affected by the big freeze sweeping across South West fairways, two young aces from Cornwall have teed off the year in scorching form.

Sammie Giles – reigning ladies champion at St Mellion – has returned from Spain and the successful defence of the Andalucia Junior European Open girls' title.

The 17-year-old, who hails from Saltash, had to pip her final opponent in a play-off to win the title last year but this year she was too hot for the field and won by a big seven-shot margin after scoring 230 over three testing rounds.

At the same time, another Saltash teenager, China Fleet's Sam Church, was also in red-hot form in Spain as he celebrated turning 16 in style.

Church claimed the boys' Andalucia Junior European Open by two shots – from joint runners-up Bradley Hudson and Sam Lemon – after topping the tournament leaderboard with a final score of 220.

Church fired a final round 73 at Finca Cortesin to clinch the prestigious early-year junior title after qualifying round scores of 72 and 75.

He said: "I was one shot ahead going into the final but Sam Lemon started birdie, birdie so I had my work cut out. I tried putting what he was doing out of my mind and concentrated on my own game, which proved the best thing to do."

Giles scored back to back 76s to qualify for the final round at Finca Cortesin, the stage for the Volvo World Matchplay Championship.

She said: "I shot a final 78 to win it again and am really pleased. It's the last big event that I play in before the senior county championships in April, so I wanted to do well again.

"It was great winning the first time but even better this time. We were lucky with the weather, especially considering how cold it has been here this week.

"Out there it only rained once and the temperatures were 20 degrees and above. It would be cool until late morning but then it would be really warm for the rest of the day.

"You play four qualifying rounds with your two best scores to count before playing the final at Finca Cortesin, which is an amazing course.

"Obviously it's a great way to start the year and I can't wait until April to be playing competitive golf again."

This year's Cornwall Ladies Championships are at West Cornwall from April 16-20.

Giles had a memorable 2011 teeing off with her win in Andalucia and then going on to reach the semi-finals of the senior county championships to cement her place in the Cornwall Ladies first team.

She also won the South West Girls Championships at Lyme Regis.

Church hopes his Spanish success will act as a springboard for a similar up-turn in his progress this year as he seeks to build on finishing runner-up in last summer's county junior under-16 championships at Newquay.

He said: "Winning in Spain was amazing and has really boosted my confidence.

"It was my first big win and now I just want to enter more competitions and improve as much as I can."

Newquay are through to the Cornwall Golf Union Frank Wills Bowl final after a 3-2 win over Bowood Park at Trevose.

Newquay now await the winners of the rescheduled St Enodoc semi-final between Bude and Trevose on Sunday, February 19.