Girls’ Open features 75 single-figure players

WITH a record entry and more single-figure players in the field than ever before, the Scottish Girls’ Under-16 Open Stroke-Play Championship will get the new SLGA season off to an interesting start at Strathmore in Perthshire today.

Having been won in the past by the likes of Louise Kenney (1999), Krystle Caithness (2004 and 2005) and Carly Booth (2006), the event has spawned some of Scotland’s best young female golfers since it was first held 14 years ago.

It was also won by two members of the Great Britain & Ireland team for this year’s Curtis Cup clash at Nairn – Ireland’s Leona Maguire having lifted the title in 2007 and Bronte Law from England claiming the spoils 12 months ago.

The 102-strong field, which had to be whittled down from an initial entry of 127, contains no less than 75 players holding a single-figure handicap.

Back-marker among the Scottish contingent is North Berwick one-handicapper Clara Young, who played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Junior Vagliano Trophy last year.

She is joining forces with Connie Jaffray (Troon Ladies) and Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) in the top Scottish side competing in an international event running alongside the 36-hole individual championship.