MORAY MEMBER CHASING FIRST SCOTLAND CAP IN 2015

GODSMAN BIDS FOR ANOTHER TOP 

PLACING IN SED THIS WEEKEND

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com
If Kyle Godsman's name is not in the SGU international team selectors' notebooks, it  should be!
After four years playing the US college golf circuit as a student at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, the 23-year-old (pictured) from Hopeman, Morayshire has come home to achieve five top-10 finishes in the five 72-hole Order of Merit events in which he has played.
Kyl is bidding for a sixth prominent placing in this weekend's South-east District Open at Bruntsfield Links, the last of the 2014 SGU 72-hole Order of Merit events.
A couple of weeks ago, he came third in the North-east District Open at Peterhead. This past weekend, he was beaten by fellow Moray Golf Club member Stuart Tatters in a play-off for the North of Scotland Open amateur stroke-play championship at Elgin.
Last year, during his summer break back home, he won the North District championship at Royal Dornoch.
"I believe this success is down to playing a very competitive schedule in America against the top golf program's in that country and also my current coach, David Torrance at Nairn Dunbar, " said Godsman as he looked forward to this weekend's final event on the 2014 SGU Order of Merit, the South-east District Championship at Bruntsfield Links, Edinburgh..
"I plan to continue working with Dave throughout the winter to continue improving my game. We know where the improvements need to be made. I have been working with Dave from a young age so we have a great understanding of each other. "
Looking back to Sunday's result at Elgin, Godsman says he has mixed feelings - disappointment that he lost the play-off but pleasure in getting himself into a position from which he could and perhaps should have won.
"I was pleased that in the final round I was able to birdie the 16th and 17th under pressure to give myself a winning chance.
 "Stuart Tatters is a great player and we have previously had some great battles locally and I'm sure it won't be the last!
"Looking to next year, it will be great to have the Scottish amateur stroke-play championship at Lossiemouth. It's not often you get home course advantage in a major national event. Then there's the Scottish amateur match-play championship at Muirfield, a venue which should attract a great field.
"I look forward to improving my game with David Torrance and playing a full schedule next year with the hope of catching the eye of the national selectors! A first cap for Scotland is my target."
"I'm in a fortunate position where I am, working part-time with flexible hours that gives me the opportunity to travel and play in the order of merit events."
Kyle is cautious to queries about turning professional.
"It is something that I have considered. Next year playing a full schedule is an important year. If I continue to make progress at the amateur level then I would consider making the step up if the financial backing is available at the time."