It's a wide open Scottish youths
open amateur
stroke-play
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
The Scottish Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play championship, to be played at The Roxburghe this weekend (June 20-22), looks wide open with the lure of the championship enticing a good mix of international players as well as some leading names from the domestic scene.
Last year’s champion Scott Borrowman from Dollar is a notable absentee, having tested his mettle at Turnberry this week, but former champion Francisco Pintor Smith, pictured above when he won the trophy in 2006, has come over from Spain once again to challenge for the prestigious Youths crown.
The handicap ballot matches the record low of last year’s championship, set at 0.9, attracting the cream of U-21s from Finland, Iceland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, and the Netherlands.
The Scottish Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play championship, to be played at The Roxburghe this weekend (June 20-22), looks wide open with the lure of the championship enticing a good mix of international players as well as some leading names from the domestic scene.
Last year’s champion Scott Borrowman from Dollar is a notable absentee, having tested his mettle at Turnberry this week, but former champion Francisco Pintor Smith, pictured above when he won the trophy in 2006, has come over from Spain once again to challenge for the prestigious Youths crown.
The handicap ballot matches the record low of last year’s championship, set at 0.9, attracting the cream of U-21s from Finland, Iceland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, and the Netherlands.
From further afield, Keith Shanks from the USA and Jacques Van Tonder from South Africa represent two of the biggest threats within the field as the two lowest handicappers on +3.6 and +3.0 respectively.
Among the opening line up of 144 hopefuls is former Scottish boys champion Babertons’s Paul Ferrier, along with William Bremner (Edzell) who was left in Ferrier’s wake at the championship and has just returned from his first year in the US where he is studying a golf scholarship.
Other Scots who have returned from foreign climes to compete in the championship include Nairn’s Fraser Fotheringham, the British Boys Amateur runner up last year, who has spent much of his winter in Australia, and Frazer Ogston, who now resides in Singapore.
Other hopefuls in the title race include Boys Quadrangular team mates Hazlehead’s David Law and Bonnyton’s Andrew McLachlan. Both players are currently in the top three of the SGU Boys Order of Merit rankings, with Law already proving he can mix it with the men when he finished in the top ten at the Bidwells Scottish Stroke Play Championship at the Duke’s.
Law will prove a strong contender for the title, along with fellow Boys cap Paul Shields. The Kirkhill player is one of five players in the field who has been selected for Scottish representation at the European Boys Team Championship next month.
Dumbarton’s Andrew Campbell, quarter finalist at last year’s Scottish Boys Championship at Dunbar will be hopeful he can go the distance in the three day event, along with Stuart Ballingall, one of the quarter finalists from this year’s Boys national championship.
Current and former U16 champions Ian Redford and Sam McLaren have also thrown their hats in the ring, whilst Scottish Junior Champion of Champions title holder, Neil Henderson, one of the leading Scots on day one at the British Amateur Championship, may make it to the Borders for the championship if his Turnberry ambitions do not come to fruition.
Commenting on the event, SGU Events Manager Euan Mordaunt said, “The Scottish Open Youths title has again attracted competitors from near and far, with some unknown quantities in the field the title race is wide open which should make the championship very exciting.
“With the handicap ballot again at a very low 0.9, dropping from 3.6 over the last eight years, competition will be tough to make the Saturday night cut, with only the top 40 players plus ties graduating to the 36 hole final on Sunday.
He added, “The course is in excellent condition and is one of Scotland’s best inland courses which has undoubtedly contributed to attracting such a strong field. The signature ‘Viaduct’ hole at the 14th will be a highlight for those playing the picturesque course for the first time, and we are extremely grateful to The Roxburghe for hosting our national championship.”
Spectators are encourage to come along and support the players of the future following in the footsteps of Spanish ro Sergio Garcia, Open championship runner up in 2007, who currently holds the course record of 66 on the par 72 course.
Past champions at the event include Andrew Oldcorn, Stephen Gallacher and Europe’s Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley.
Among the opening line up of 144 hopefuls is former Scottish boys champion Babertons’s Paul Ferrier, along with William Bremner (Edzell) who was left in Ferrier’s wake at the championship and has just returned from his first year in the US where he is studying a golf scholarship.
Other Scots who have returned from foreign climes to compete in the championship include Nairn’s Fraser Fotheringham, the British Boys Amateur runner up last year, who has spent much of his winter in Australia, and Frazer Ogston, who now resides in Singapore.
Other hopefuls in the title race include Boys Quadrangular team mates Hazlehead’s David Law and Bonnyton’s Andrew McLachlan. Both players are currently in the top three of the SGU Boys Order of Merit rankings, with Law already proving he can mix it with the men when he finished in the top ten at the Bidwells Scottish Stroke Play Championship at the Duke’s.
Law will prove a strong contender for the title, along with fellow Boys cap Paul Shields. The Kirkhill player is one of five players in the field who has been selected for Scottish representation at the European Boys Team Championship next month.
Dumbarton’s Andrew Campbell, quarter finalist at last year’s Scottish Boys Championship at Dunbar will be hopeful he can go the distance in the three day event, along with Stuart Ballingall, one of the quarter finalists from this year’s Boys national championship.
Current and former U16 champions Ian Redford and Sam McLaren have also thrown their hats in the ring, whilst Scottish Junior Champion of Champions title holder, Neil Henderson, one of the leading Scots on day one at the British Amateur Championship, may make it to the Borders for the championship if his Turnberry ambitions do not come to fruition.
Commenting on the event, SGU Events Manager Euan Mordaunt said, “The Scottish Open Youths title has again attracted competitors from near and far, with some unknown quantities in the field the title race is wide open which should make the championship very exciting.
“With the handicap ballot again at a very low 0.9, dropping from 3.6 over the last eight years, competition will be tough to make the Saturday night cut, with only the top 40 players plus ties graduating to the 36 hole final on Sunday.
He added, “The course is in excellent condition and is one of Scotland’s best inland courses which has undoubtedly contributed to attracting such a strong field. The signature ‘Viaduct’ hole at the 14th will be a highlight for those playing the picturesque course for the first time, and we are extremely grateful to The Roxburghe for hosting our national championship.”
Spectators are encourage to come along and support the players of the future following in the footsteps of Spanish ro Sergio Garcia, Open championship runner up in 2007, who currently holds the course record of 66 on the par 72 course.
Past champions at the event include Andrew Oldcorn, Stephen Gallacher and Europe’s Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley.
Labels: YOUTHS
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Thursday, June 19, 2008
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