Lou Tan gets dream invitation to play in pro tournament

At 16, most aspiring young golfers are dreaming of competing on a professional Tour. However, Loretto Golf Academy's Lou Tan, from Hong Kong, the dream has become a reality following an invitation to compete in the Jamega Professional Tour taking place at Magnolia Park in Buckinghamshire this week.

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Lou received his invitation following an astounding three rounds while representing the Loretto Golf Academy in the Intercollegiate Finals at St Anne’s Golf Club.

The teenager finished in fifth place in the individual overall standings, made all the more special as the field comprised more experienced and older college-
level golfers.

Lou joined Loretto School in September 2012. He has enjoyed a meteoric rise, setting new and unprecedented records for his age. One highlight was in the 2014-2015 Loretto Order of Merit when he became the youngest ever winner of the championship, beating his fellow Golf Academy peers, many of whom were two years his senior. Lou also represents Hong Kong at Junior National level.

Jonathan Hewat, director of communications at Loretto School, said: “This is a tremendous accolade and achievement for Lou and his invitation to compete is 
richly deserved. We wish him all the very best in the tournament.”

• With ages ranging from 6 to 13, more than 160 competitors from 18 Scottish schools entered the annual St Leonards National Junior Golf Championship over the Strathtyrum and The Balgove St Andrews links courses.

The weather wasn’t kind, but the youngsters returned some excellent scores. The Balgove was home to the non-handicap flag competition and the Strathtyrum was the handicap competition course.

A special mention to Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie High School), who achieved an impressive scratch score of 70 on the Strathtyrum.

“The standard of golf was incredible and I was very pleased to see some of the brightest golf stars in Scottish Schools take part,” said Fintan Bonner, director of golf at St Leonards. “Congratulations to all the winners.”

RESULTS: BALGOVE

Under-9 Boys: 1 Alexander Yuill (Loretto),

2 Cameron Mukherjee (Loretto). Under-9 Girls: 1 Jessica Garden (George Heriot’s School), 2 Ashleigh Valentine (Loretto).Under-11 Boys: 1 Samuel Mukherjee (Loretto), 2 Jake McGlynn (Stewart’s Melville College). Under-11 Girls: 1 Emma Rudd (George Heriot’s School), 2 Kirsten Murison (George Heriot’s School).Under-13 Boys: 1 Archie Finnie (Stewart’s Melville College), 2 Louis Le Seuer (Stewarts Melville College). Under-13 Girls: 1 Kirstie Soutar (High School of Glasgow), 2 Cristina Capaldi (St Aloysius).

STRATHTYRUM

Under-11 Boys: 1 Cormac Sharpe (Newhill Primary School), 2 Connor Graham (Blairgowrie High School). Under-13 Boys: 
1 Mark Corray (Robert Gordon’s College), 2 Andrew Hendry (Gylemuir Primary). Under-13 Girls: 1 Abby Steadman (St George’s School), 2 Naihm Headon (St Leonards).