Scottish Golf Union Press Release

SCOTTISH YOUTHS ANGLE IN EARNEST FOR
TITLE AT ERSKINE

By KATE WELDON, SGU Press Officer

A number of contenders are in the frame for the Scottish Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play title which gets underway at Erskine this weekend (22 – 24 June), with the notable omission of last year’s champion Spaniard, Francisco Pintor choosing not to defend his title.
With handicap ballots at a number of the SGU majors this season being set at an all time record low, the Youths Open Stroke Play is no exception, with the ballot set at 0.9 – attracting the strongest fields of competitors in the history of the event.
The lure of the championship has enticed the usual international mix of golfers, with competitors from the USA, France, Germany, Portugal, Iceland and as far a field as New Zealand to tee up on Friday to angle for the prestigious Scottish national title.
From the domestic scene, former Scottish Boys Champion James White will prove a likely contender along with Thornton’s Michael Main - who was left in White’s wake to settle for a 2006 Scottish Boys runner- up finish - and will undoubtedly want to go one better in this title race.
Other hopefuls include the youngest of the Saltman clan, Craigielaw player Zack Saltman who will be keen to emulate his brother Lloyd’s hot form at present to etch his name on the Youths trophy, plus an array of Scottish Boys caps including likely lads Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) and fellow Quadrangular team mate, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride).
Dumbarton’s Andrew Campbell, semi finalist at this year’s Scottish Boys Championship at Dunbar has also thrown his hat in the ring, hoping to progress to a place in Sunday’s final for a chance to contest the title.
Commenting on the event, SGU Performance Manager Stuart Turner said, “The Scottish Open Youths title has attracted a very strong field and for competitors from near and far the competition will be fierce, which will provide a very exciting championship.
He added, “With the handicap ballot at an all time low, having dropped from 3.6 since the championship in 2000, golfers must raise their game and cannot afford poor scoring rounds if they are to make the grade and secure their place in the final.”
The Glen’s Neil Henderson, fresh from his Junior Tour event win at Kilmarnock (Barassie) last weekend, will no doubt be casting his eye over the silverware up for grabs. The +2.1 handicapper has high hopes of securing a much coveted Scottish cap and a fine performance this weekend could certainly pave the way for Henderson, the Scottish schoolboys' champion, to realise his ambition.
He is joined in the field by Perthshire’s jewel in the crown Sam McLaren, current U16 Stroke Play Champion from King James VI - joint runner up with Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) last weekend at the 5th Junior Tour event – who is also in the draw and not to be discounted.
The field of 144 competitors embark on their title quest on Friday when round one gets underway. Only the top 40 players plus ties will make the cut following round two on Saturday to progress to contest the 36 hole final on Sunday.
Spectators are welcome to come along and support Scotland’s rising stars, hoping to savour their first taste of national success at the scenic par 71 course in Renfrewshire. Past champions at the event include Andrew Oldcorn, Stephen Gallacher and Europe’s Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley.

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