Atkins hopes to fend off English challenge

WHILE England provides three players off scratch or better in the field, Lesley Atkins is hoping to deliver a home victory in the SLGA Scottish Under-16 Open Strokeplay Championship, which gets under way today at Strathmore Golf Club, near Alyth.

Fourth in the event 12 months ago, the 14-year-old has been a member of the Loretto Golf Academy since September and recently helped the renowned Musselburgh school win the Independent Schools Golf Association Home Internationals at The Berkshire.

While Atkins, who lives in Hawick, lists Minto as her home club, she plays most of her golf these days at Craigielaw, where the Loretto team, under the watchful eye of coach Rick Valentine, are frequent visitors, and has just joined Gullane.

"The Academy has attracted a lot of good players this term, including Julie Yang, a Korean girl who plays off plus 3," said Atkins, who is off a creditable two herself and has followed in the footsteps of both her brothers, David and Peter, by becoming a Lorretonian.

"I was pleased to finish fourth in the Scottish Under-16s last year but, even though there are a few English girls in the field with plus handicaps, I think I can improve on that and perhaps even win it this time."

Atkins, who belied her lack of years when reaching the quarter-finals in the Scottish Ladies' Championship at Southerness last year, will have some strong backing in Perthshire from Carnoustie's Ailsa Summers, the reigning Scottish Schools' champion, but the English contingent certainly looks impressive.

Woburn's Lauren Taylor is the back marker with a plus two handicap, while Bramhall's Bronte Law is plus one and Brogan Townend of Pleasington plays off scratch. Last year's event produced an English 1-2-3, with Ferndown's Hayley Davis leading home Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) and Ashley Cramond (Warwickshire).

The event is played over 36 holes with one round today and another tomorrow.