SCOTTISH BOYS' OPEN STROKE-PLAY

 LEWIS KIRTON IN FORM BUT FIELD IS

PACKED WITH TITLE CONTENDERS 

 

Winner of the North-east District boys’ match-play title for the third year in a row last week, Newmachar’s Lewis Kirton would like nothing better than to set off for four years at the University of Louisville, Kentucky next month as a national champion.

The opportunity is there this week at Alloa Golf Club’s Schawpark course in the shape of the Scottish boys’ open stroke-play championship over four rounds.

Lewis was joint runner-up on 285 with defending champion Scott Henry (Cardross) 12 months ago at Monifieth Links where Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie) was the winner after two sub-70 rounds on the final day for a total of 283.

Both Henry and McEwan are too old for this year’s Under-18 contest but, of course, that does not mean that it should be a cake-walk for Kirton who shot 14 birdies in 32 holes at Hazlehead last week. Anything but. 

The field of 144 is packed with genuine title contenders, including James White (Lundin), winner of the Scottish boys’ match-play title in April, Sam McLaren (King James VI), winner of the Douglas Gillespie Scottish Under-16 boys’ title at Deeside a week or two ago, James Byrne (Banchory), who currently holds the North-east District youths’ and boys’ stroke-play championships, Graeme Mitchell (Northern), who lowered the Aberdeen Hazlehead No 1 course record to 68 last week, Zack Saltman (Craigielaw), Ross Bell (Downfield), Daniel Torrance (Wentworth), Sam Binning (Old Ranfurly), Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh), Ross Kellett (Colville Park), Cameron Gray (West Kilbride).

And there is no guarantee that list contains the name of the young man who will step up to receive the trophy early on Thursday evening at Alloa.

The leading 40 players and ties after the first two rounds on Tuesday and  Wednesday will play the final 36 holes on Thursday.