IN-FORM YOUNG SCOTS BACK IN ACTION AT SCOTTISH HYDRO JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 2 THIS WEEKEND

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

In-form trio Ewan Scott, Bradley Neil and Craig Howie (pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency) will be out to continue their fine starts to the season when the second event of the Scottish Hydro Junior Tour takes place at The Roxburghe in the Scottish Borders this weekend.

Fifty-two of the country’s Under-18 talents will tee-up on the challenging and respected lay-out near Kelso, with the glorious weather expected to hold for the 72-hole event on Saturday and Sunday.

Scott, a Madras College, St Andrews pupil, was the beaten finalist by Howie in the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish boys' championship at Murcar Links in April, but quickly made up for any lingering disappointment by overcoming the conditions and an older field to win the Golf Data Lab Scottish youths' championship at Ladybank less than a fortnight ago.

Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil, pictured lower right by Kenny Smith Photography, has also been impressive, beaten in the quarter-finals by Scott at the PLF Scottish boys' championship and runner-up to him at the Youths.

Bradley also notably defeated South African Amateur champion Brian Soutar to help Perth and Kinross claim Moneygate Scottish area team championship glory last weekend.

Scott, pictured left by Cal Carson Golf Agency, currently heads the Scottish Hydro boys’ order of merit rankings, with Neil third and Peebles' Howie sandwiched between. The Borders youngster, who secured the biggest golfing win todate at Murcar Links, will be seeking to continue his strong start to the new season on a lay-out he knows well.

Howie said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of The Roxburghe, having done well there last year, losing a play-off in the (Under-18 division) of the Scottish Faldo Series after I shot 71, 71.

“It's a long course and 36 holes a day will be tough in this heat, although it's nice to finally get some sun on the back.

“’I’m feeling confident after my performances this season and it would great to finish No 1 on the Boys’ Order of Merit and get in the Scotland team.”

Greig Marchbank, of Dumfries and County, was the overall victor of the Boys’ Order of Merit last year and he is also preparing to play in the Borders, together with Liberton’s Anthony Blaney, who shared the honours with Alexander Wilson in the opening Junior Tour event at Gullane.

The likes of Jamie Savage (Cawder), former Scottish Boys champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck), Euan Walker (Kilmarnock (Barassie)) and Calum Hill (Tantallon) will also fancy their chances, along with Scottish Boys semi-finalist Connar Cook (Caird Park).

The top 30 players and ties will survive the cut on Saturday night, progressing to the final 36 holes on Sunday, over a scenic course that continues to grow in reputation.

The Roxburghe, designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 1997, is a 7,111-yard, par-72 layout which hosted the Scottish Senior Open on the European Senior Tour from 2001-2005. It will join The European Tour Qualifying School Schedule for the first time when it hosts the First Stage from September 11-14.

After investing in junior golf for the next three years, Scottish Hydro is official sponsor of the SGU Boys’ Order of Merit and Junior Tour series. The Boys’ Order of Merit includes three Scottish Hydro Junior Tour events on its schedule in 2012.

Scottish Hydro is already a major supporter of golf in Scotland through their sponsorship of the Scottish Hydro Challenge on The European Challenge Tour and Team Scottish Hydro programme.

Jonny Petrie, Sponsorship Manager for Scottish Hydro, said: “We are looking forward to a great weekend of golf at The Roxburghe, which is a fitting championship test.

“We are keen to help Scotland’s most talented young players come through the ranks and we are hugely excited to be part of the Boys' Order of Merit and Junior Tour series for 2012.”

The SGU Junior Tour was launched in 2004 to provide leading Scottish Boys (Under-18) with additional competitive play on challenging courses; to provide coaching staff and selectors an opportunity to assess players and their development over such venues; and, to provide an appropriate competition structure and added incentive for young players to pursue higher honours.

Previous winners of the Boys’ Order of Merit include Michael Stewart, David Law and Scott Henry, who are all now in the professional ranks.

>> Click here for the draw for Scottish Hydro Junior Tour Event 2