DUNCAN WEIR SAYS FUTURE IS

BRIGHT FOR SCOTLAND'S

PROSPECTS

Carnoustie 2007 will go down in the annals as another brilliant showpiece for Scotland. The Open golf course was a perfectly dreich four-day test producing sporting drama of the highest calibre. And Irishman Padraig Harrington – who was coached by Scottish legend Bob Torrance - became the first European to pick up the Claret Jug since Paul Lawrie's win at the same Angus links course in 1999.

Back in 1999, Lawrie's triumph was a huge boost for indigenous Scottish golf – but since then the fans in the stands have relied too heavily on Colin Montgomerie and his moments of flag-waving inspiration. But the disappointing statistics for Scots at this year's Open were that only three Scots made the cut for the last two days, and that wasn't including Montgomerie or Lawrie.
Alastair Forsyth scored a final-day 80 for a combined total of 299 – that was 22 strokes behind the winner, while the ageing Sandy Lyle carded 298. Ross Bain was the top Scot of the event, shooting respectable scores of 73, 71, 72 and 74 for a respectable six over par total of 290.
So what are the prospects for the emerging generation of Scotland's young golfers?

UNDER NO ILLUSIONS

Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development at the R&A, says there are some exciting prospects for Scotland. But Scotland's golfing administrators and the Scottish Golf Union are under no illusions about how difficult it will be to get more Scots competing on the final days of the Open. "Golf is now a global game enjoyed around the world and many more people are playing and a lot more countries are producing brilliant young players," says Weir.

"We can no longer expect the Scots just to get in because the tournament is in their own backyard. They have to earn the right, like every other hopeful."

The performance of the young Scots at the European men's amateur team championship at Western Gailes in Ayrshire in early July has given Weir and his development team tremendous heart.

It's an indication of what is emerging. Although the event was won by the Irish, including the 18-year-old Rory McIlroy who won the Open's silver medal for top amateur, who beat France in the final, Scotland ended the week with a 4-3 victory over England.

RAMSAY'S CLINCHING POINT

Richie Ramsay sealed the winning point with a 2 and 1 win over Gary Wolstenholme. Ramsay, the young Royal Aberdeen golfer who made history in 2006 by becoming the first British winner of the coveted US Amateur title in almost a century, said afterwards:

"We showed our will to win after yesterday's disappointment against France. Any Scotland v England game will be a tough fight and it was important to the boys that we finished on a high. Third place in Europe is very respectable although obviously we'd have loved to go two places better."
"There is lot of potential for Scotland at the moment," say Weir. "I think the performance by our players at Western Gailes shows that we have a crop of outstanding young players."

Lloyd Saltman, who has been Scotland's leading amateur for the last two years, had a fine win over David Horsey in the event. The 21-year-old Craigielaw star is expected to turn professional after the Walker Cup.

Ramsay, as Scotland's No 2, has certainly been able to put his name on the golfing map after his spectacular US victory at Hazeltine National when he secured the Havemeyer Cup - a trophy whose previous winners include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

CARNOUSTIE'S MAGIC

Banchory's James Byrne, still only 18, made his debut for Scotland in Ayrshire playing with Keir McNicoll – and he also led Scotland's Under-18s in the European boys' team championships in Denmark.

The magic of Carnoustie is helping to bring on more Scots. McNicoll hails from the Angus town and has the kind of golfing ability to get to the top.

Duncan Weir said: "Carnoustie has an excellent track record of finding talented young golfers. We've seen the course in all its glory this week - and if you are young player who learns your golf here, then you can play anywhere."

Weir also singles out 22-year-old Kevin McAlpine, the son of the former Dundee United goalkeeper, Hamish, as a future professional star. The Alyth club golfer won the Scottish amateur championship at Nairn in 2006 and then the Scottish stroke play at Royal Dornoch this year.
Weir also says that Jonathan King, a Glasgow stockbroker in his late 20s, is one of the best country's best amateurs. Amateurs are allowed to earn up to £500 in prize money. At Western Gailes, King showed his quality in the Scotland jersey to see off Walker Cup squad member Gary Boyd with an excellent 3 and 2 victory, maintaining his excellent record for his national team.
Whether King decides to have a shot at playing professional golf remains to be seen, but his ability highlights one of the greatest predicaments of the highly talented. Do they give up a good job with decent earnings and prospects for the lottery, hard work and grind of the professional golf circuit?

CHALLENGE FOR WINNERS

That is the challenge for all of Scotland's golfing winners. So what do our emerging golfers need to make the big time?
"There are already some tremendous efforts being made, first by the parents, who are supported by the golf clubs, club professionals and coaches, through to the counties, and the Scottish Golf Union, to bring through our young and promising players. These players need to work at their game and compete at every level. They need to work hard to learn how to challenge at the highest level," says Duncan Weir.

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