Bright Hopefuls Bid For Scottish U14s Title

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
As the attention of the world’s best golfers focuses on Loch Lomond and then Turnberry next week, Largs is the destination for young up and coming golfers as they bid for the Scottish Boys and Girls Under 14 Stroke Play Championship in association with the Loretto School Golf Academy.
The event which gets underway tomorrow (10 July) will see over 100 youngsters bid for Scotland’s youngest national age group championship, the field consisting of 84 boys and 32 girls.
Nick Ward from Redbourn, currently making his mark in the U16’s Championship hosted at the same venue will hopefully leave something in the bag for Friday to defend his title. Last year’s winner from St Albans contested one of the most exciting finishes in the event, taking his fellow challenger Anthony Blaney to the fourth extra hole before claiming his first national title. If Ward’s bid to reclaim the silverware is successful he will be the first U14 double champion in the history of the event which was inaugurated in 2001.
Ewan Scott from St Andrews who was the leading U12 player in the 18 hole tournament in 2007, claimed the bronze medal in the championship last year and will be hopeful of stepping up a gear this year to take the silverware.
The national U16 squad member and Tayside & Fife Academy player has enjoyed a good run of form this year. As a result he was selected to represent Scotland at the Boys U16 Quadrangular and was integral to the team’s triumph at that event. A top finish in the U16’s event which concludes today could provide him with a welcome boost ahead of tomorrow’s challenge.
Other likely contenders for the crown are Ross Dallas (Kirriemuir), son of former Ladies European Tour player Karyn Dallas, whilst another player from golfing stock – Balmore’s Jack McKenna – younger sibling of Fraser McKenna, who finished runner up in the Boys Amateur at Little Aston last year - will be keen to make a name for himself among the junior ranks.
In the girls competition a number of familiar faces are in the field, including last year’s winner of the handicap event, Amelia Taylor from St Anne’s Old Links, whilst rising starlet Tara McTaggart (Minto) leads Scottish hopes in the championship along with local favourite, Rachel Irvine who will hope to make home advantage count.
The Loretto School Golf Academy, one of the UK’s best independent golfing schools is now in its sixth year of sponsorship and support of the national showcase event. Rick Valentine, Director of Golf for Loretto School said, “Loretto School Golf Academy is now in its seventh year and we are recognized as one of the most successful golf schools in the UK. Our players and graduates have achieved recognition at national and international level.”
“We have enjoyed a great relationship with the Scottish Golf Union over the last six years and look forward to seeing some of the best young male and female talent in the country competing
talent in the country competing in this year’s championship at Largs.”