JAMES BYRNE HEADS EIGHT SEEDS
FOR SCOTTISH BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP

James Byrne, pictured right, from Banchory heads the eight seeds listed in the draw for the Scottish boys' match-play championship at Dunbar Golf Club from April 9 to 14.
Byrne, who will enrol at Arizona State University in the autumn, has the lowest handicap of the 354 boys aged 18 and under on January 1 who entered.
James' handicap at the time of entry was +2.3.
The seven other seeds are:
Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen) (handicap at time of entry: 0.6).
Kyle Smith (Barassie) (0.2).
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) (+0.4).
Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo) (0.7).
Sam McLaren (King James VI) (0.4).
Michael Main (Thornton) (+0.8).
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) (+1.3).

Byrne was beaten in last year's semi-finals by Michael Main who lost in the final to fellow Fifer James White (Lundin).
There is room only for 256 boys in the match-play format. The cut-off point came at those boys with handicaps (at time of entry) of 5.3, a figure which is coming down every year, reflecting how the standard of of Scottish boy golfers in general is improving steadily.
There were 16 boys with handicaps of 5.3 and only eight could get in. Those who were balloted out were:
Declan Christie (Portlethen).
Scott Barbour (Milnathort).
Gavin Hay (Grantown on Spey).
James Hendry (Douglas Park).
Taylor Edwards (Lochmaben).
Rodger Clarke (Moray).
Shaun Clark (St Andrews).
Philip Gordon (Paisley).
The good news for these boys is that they are top of the waiting list to get into the championship should there be any call-offs, which there certainly will be.
There are 23 boys with handicaps of scratch or better in the championship.