Thursday, June 18, 2009

Cream of Under-21 talent on show at Renfrew Golf Club

Strong field for Golf Data Lab

Scottish youths championship
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
As former Scottish youths champion Martin Laird from Glasgow graces the greens at Bethpage Park, New York at the US Open, current national Under-21 title-holder David Booth, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, embarks on his defence at the Golf Data Lab Scottish youths open amateur stroke-play championship at Renfrew Golf Club from Friday to Sunday.
Booth’s victory marked the biggest title win of Rotherham-born Stirling University student's career and during the course of the 72 hole tournament he set a new amateur course record along with his compatriot Matt Evans during the opening round at The Roxburghe last year.
In a tightly run race, the Yorkshire man pipped England cap James Robinson from Southport & Ainsdale into second place. Robinson, earlier this season won the prestigious Lytham Trophy. With England claiming a 1-2-3 finish last year, the Scots will have to pull out all the stops to make their mark in yet another strong international line up.
Among the overseas contingent is Spain’s Francisco Pintor Smith who claimed the silverware once before, having won the title back in 2006 at Mortonhall.
Pintor Smith now plays off a handicap of +1.3 and on paper is one of the strongest players in the field, though US-based Scot Keith Shanks claims the lowest handicap on +3.4.
Ross Bell from Downfield is the lowest handicapper flying the flag for Scotland on +1.9 and scratch golfer Kirkhill’s Paul Shields, twice finalist in the Scottish boys championship, is more than ready to step up and make a challenge at youths level.
The starting line-up includes former Scottish boys champion Paul Ferrier along with William Bremner from Edzell, who finished runner up to Ferrier back in 2007.
Former U16 champions Ian Redford and Sam McLaren are also in the draw along with a number of winners from this season’s Junior Tour, comprising Chris Robb, Daniel Young, Tom Blennerhasset and Calum Stewart – as well as the aforementioned Ian Redford plus Stuart Boyle.
Many in the field will look to follow in the footsteps of former Scottish youths champions, who, like US PGA Tour player Martin Laird have gone on to enjoy further successes in the game. The list of past title holders includes Andrew Oldcorn, Stephen Gallacher and former Ryder Cup player Paul McGinley.
Commenting on the event, Sponsor Graeme Leslie, Managing Director of Golf Data Lab said, “The quest for the Scottish Open Youths title looks set to be another closely run affair with some of the former champions of this event demonstrating the calibre of competitor the tournament attracts.
“Golf Data Lab is delighted to be supporting this year’s event at Renfrew and with two former winners in the mix along with many young promising hopefuls from near and far keen to cut their teeth at this level, the tournament looks set to provide an exciting three days.”
The competitors will play 18 holes on Friday and Saturday, with only the top 40 players plus ties making the cut for the 36 hole final on Sunday.

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