JAKE SCOTT WINS NE DISTRICT YOUTHS TITLE AT HOME

Jake Scott with the championship trophy.                              Picture by courtesy of Johnny Smith Buckpool prospect Jake Scott, quarter-finalist in the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish U18 boys championship at Murcar Links in April, was always going to be favourite to win the North-east District youths championship over his home course - and he duly did today. But it was by no means a runaway victory for 17-year-old Jake (pictured in action by Kenny Smith) on his home patch. One of three +1 players in the field (Ryan Bain and Sean Lawrie were the others), Scott had only a shot to spare after rounds of 68 and 71 for a total of 139, one under par but three under the CSS of 71 for both rounds. Runner-up was Ben Murray (Portlethen) (69-71) with Ryan Bain (Strathlene) third on 142 (72 70). Craig Lawrie (Deeside) was lying joint second after an opening round of 69 but he faded to a 78 in the afternoon and an aggregate of 147 placed him seventh, one behind his cousin Sean Lawrie (Portlethen) who scored 71-74 for 145. LEADING FINAL TOTALS Par 140 (2x70) SS 69. CSS 71 71 139 Jake Scott (Buckpool) 68 71 140 Ben Murray (Portlethen) 69 71 142 Ryan Bain (Strathlene) 72 70. 143 John Drummond (Strathlene) 72 71. 145 Ross Buchan (Inverallochy) 76 69, Sean Lawrie (Portlethen) 71 74 147 Craig Lawrie (Deeside) 69 78 151 Kielan Turner (Buckpool) 78 73, Grant Joss (Royal Aberdeen) 74 77 152 Jamie Reid (Cruden Bay) 76 76 153 Jamie Pryde (Deeside) 73 80 154 Jack Harling (Banchory) 76 78 156 Cameron Johnstone (Northern) 80 76 157 Finlay McPherson (Royal Aberdeen) 79 78 158 Lewis McWilliam (Aboyne) 79 79 159 A J Buchan (Inverallochy) 84 75, Liam Farquhar (Inverallochy) 75 84 160 Kevin Willox (Deeside) 80 80 161 Patrick McKenna (Royal Aberdeen) 78 83 162 Craig Stephen (Aboyne) 86 76, Michael Lawrie (Deeside) 82 80 163 Robert O'Donnell (Oldmeldrum) 80 83 164 Evan Robertson (Inchmarlo) 87 77 166 Scott Main (Hazlehead) 86 80 167 Fintan McKenna (Royal Aberdeen) 83 84, Wilson Stephen (Inverallochy) 85 82 Retired: Paul Simpson (Aboyne).