JENNA WILSON WINS SLGA ORDER OF MERIT

Scottish Amateur Champion Jenna Wilson, pictured right, was presented with the SLGA’s Ladies Order of Merit award, in front of a sell out crowd at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow last night (Friday 28 March).

The Scottish Golf Dinner, sponsored by Dunfermline Building Society for the first time and hosted by BBC Sports Presenter Dougie Donnelly, celebrated the many successes of Scottish leading amateurs during the 2007 season.

Jenna, from Strathaven, whose solid performances last year saw her earn her card for the European Tour, received her award from fellow Tour professional Lynn Kenny.

Comrie star Carly Booth won the Girls Order of Merit following a season distinguished with international and national glory, including a European Masters title and U21 and U18 Girls Stroke Play titles. Booth, one of four Scots recently selected for the Curtis Cup is currently in Phoenix Arizona, so her award was collected by her older sibling Wallace Booth, runner up in the Mens Order of Merit and Scottish Amateur Golf Rankings.

CALLUM MACAULAY HAILED SCOTTISH GOLFER OF THE YEAR

Tulliallan ace Callum Macaulay was awarded the Scottish Golfer of the Year award. Macaulay, who hopes to carve out a successful professional career at the end of this year, first rose to prominence when he won the West of Scotland Championship in 2006. His consistent performances throughout 2007 - including reaching the semi final of the Amateur Championship and the fifth round of the Scottish Amateur, saw the University of Mississippi graduate win the 2007 SGU Order of Merit.

The Scottish internationalist rounded off his season with two impressive back to back wins at the South East District Open and the Newlands Trophy, including a stunning course record 63 at Lanark. He made it a double celebration by topping the leaderboard in the Scottish Amateur Golf Rankings to also bag the prestigious Scottish Golfer of the Year title.

During the evening’s presentations, Callum was commended by his fellow competitors including last year’s winner and 2006 US Amateur Champion Richie Ramsay, and received his award from former Amateur Champion Gordon Sherry, who also held the coveted Golfer of the Year title in 1995.

Commenting on his double win, Callum said, “I am delighted to receive both the SGU Order of Merit and the Scottish Golfer of the Year Award. 2007 was a good year for me, but I feel the best is still yet to come and I hope the next 12 months will provide me with a great platform from which to launch my professional career.

He added, “I would like to thank the SGU, the sponsors and supporters for all of their help to date, as it really makes a difference to those of us striving for a successful professional career in the game.”

Among the other recipients on the night were Boys Order of Merit winner James Byrne - who like Carly is also currently residing in Phoenix studying a golf scholarship - and Ian Hutcheon, who was awarded the Seniors Order of Merit trophy.

Commenting on the evening, SGU CEO Hamish Grey, “Tonight was a great opportunity to highlight successes currently being achieved by our leading amateurs. Last year represented the first time we hosted the dinner with the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, and it is great to be able to jointly celebrate Scotland’s successes once again under one roof.”

The evening’s festivities were rounded off with after dinner entertainment provided by leading golf speaker Emil Pacholek.