Golf: Grant Forrest going for treble on home soil

CRAIGIELAW'S Grant Forrest was enjoying home course advantage today as he launched his bid to complete a Scottish Boys' treble this year.

The 17-year-old claimed the match-play title at West Kilbride before helping Lothians claim the team crown at Peebles. Now he's one of the favourites in the 72-hole stroke-play event taking place over the next three days at his East Lothian club.

Forrest, who also won the Scottish Under-16 Championship just over a year ago, is bidding to become the first player since Scott Henry, in 2004, to achieve the individual 'double'.

He'll complete another hat-trick if he wins as two of his Craigielaw clubmates, Lloyd Saltman and Shaun McAllister, also lifted this title in their amateur days.

But, even with home advantage, Forrest won't get things all his own way.

A strong field also includes Barassie's Jack McDonald, who produced an impressive display at Ladybank 12 months ago to lift the title and is now bidding to become the first player since Stephen Gallacher in 1991-92 to win it back-to-back.

Other leading contenders include double Lothians boys' champion Simon Fairburn, who's also a Craigielaw member, Liberton's Anthony Blaney, rising West Linton star Fraser Thain and on-form Musselburgh youngster Cameron Marr.