Golf: Liberton star Blaney aims to prosper in Henry Cooper

LIBERTON'S Anthony Blaney, a member of the Lothians' title-winning side in the Boys' Area Team Championship for the last two years, is now gunning for glory with Scotland.

He's been named in the six-strong side for next week's Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters at Nizels Golf Club near Sevenoaks in Kent.

Blaney, one of the rising stars on the Capital scene over the last couple of years, played in the anchor role for Lothians in the successful defence of the Boys' Area Team title at Hayston last Sunday. His one-under par 69 sealed a record tenth triumph, just missing out on the individual prize, the Niagra Cup, by a shot. That was won by Cawder's Jamie Savage, who is also in the team for next week's event, which will be particularly poignant this year following the death of Sir Henry Cooper, an avid supporter of junior golf, last month at the age of 76.

Joining forces with Blaney and Cawder will be Scottish Boys' champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) as well as Greig Marchbank (Dumfries & Galloway), Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) and Ewan Scott (St Andrews).

One of the highest-profile junior golf events in Europe, the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters is now a qualifying event for both GB&I boys' selection and the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The event is being played over 72 holes for the first time and teams will compete for the Nations Trophy over the opening two days with the leading 36 individuals and ties qualifying for the final two rounds of stroke play.