Scotland's best young golf aces descend on The Duke's

Published on Saturday 31 October 2009 10:19

THE curtain comes down on the Scottish Golf Union's domestic playing season tomorrow when 57 of the country's leading youngsters compete in the Junior Champion of Champions event at The Duke's on the outskirts of St Andrews.

Thirty-nine boys and 18 girls form the starting field, comprising of this year's junior champions at National, Area and County level across Scotland.

Flying the flag for the Lothians in the boys' event are Tom Blennerhasset (Marriott Dalmahoy), Stuart Boyle (Harburn), Simon Fairburn (Craigielaw), Grant Forrest (Craigielaw), Jordyn Rhind (Uphall) and Fraser Thain (West Linton), while Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe), Rachel Watton (Mortonhall) and Clara Young (North Berwick) are in the girls' line-up.

David Scott, manager at The Duke's, who helped the SGU launch the event two years ago when he was at Kingsbarns, is looking forward to welcoming the youngsters tomorrow. "We are very proud to support the Scottish Junior Champion and Champions and it will be great to see so many talented young golfers playing at The Duke's.

"The course is in great condition and will provide the golfers with a testing but very enjoyable challenge," he said.

"Bringing together the various champions from across the country, both boys and girls, is a great way to round off the season and celebrate the achievements of our junior golfers."

DALMAHOY pro Jamie McLeary was playing for pride in the closing round of the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in Italy today.

The former Scottish amateur No.1 posted a one-over 72 in tough, windy conditions on the Adriatic coast yesterday for a 12-over aggregate of 225 and finished down in 33rd place on the standings.

McLeary was sitting behind Welshman Rhys Davies, who edged to front with a 69 for a four-under 209.