McHardy and McIntosh Clinch Junior Masters Opener

From the SGU website:-

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Kate McIntosh with Dunfermline Building Society's Alan Mitchell Junior Masters regional final (south) winner Arran McHardy Host club Peebles trio of qualifiers (l-r): Ailsa Bain, Jordan Lamb and Daniel Flannery Runner-up Fraser Orr (Woll GC)

Prestonfield’s Arran McHardy and Broomieknowe’s Kate McIntosh took the silverware in the opening regional final of the 2007 Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters at Peebles yesterday (19 July).

As the eyes of the world focused on Carnoustie, Scotland’s budding young stars set on the trail for a place in the final at Gleneagles as the country’s biggest junior handicap event got underway on the scenic Borders course.

Nine handicapper McHardy was out in the second group of the morning and the Lothians youngster amassed an impressive 40 stableford points to take an early lead and his total could not be caught all day. Borders boy Fraser Orr (Woll GC) almost matched him however his 39 point tally was good enough to seal second spot and a well deserved place in the final. Glen’s Ross Wilson enjoyed a fine round with 37 points to take third place, edging out the host club’s Daniel Flannery.

The scoring was impressive in the girls section despite the afternoon rain and it was Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) who raced to victory with an excellent 38 points, playing off a 16 handicap. She won by two stableford points from Junior Masters regular Fiona Milne (Glen), whilst Peebles rising young star Ailsa Bain took third place by virtue of a countback from Keren Ward (Glen) and Tara McTaggart (Minto), who unfortunately just missed out on a place in the final.

The leading eight boys and four girls from the South Regional Final will take up their place in the illustrious Grand Final at Gleneagles on Sunday 7 October.

Dunfermline Building Society – sponsors of the Junior Masters – are investing a fantastic £100,000 in Scottish junior golf over the next two years, giving boys and girls of all abilities the opportunity to compete in a national event in communities across Scotland.

Alan Mitchell, General Manager (HR) for Dunfermline Building Society, said:

“This was a fantastic start to our sponsorship of the Junior Masters and congratulations to all the players who qualified to play in today’s regional final. There was some great young talent on show and the future of Scottish golf looks in good hands.”

“We are delighted to working with the Scottish Golf Union at the grass roots level across the whole of Scotland and we look forward to next week’s regional finals at Stirling and Dunfermline.” he added.

For full results go to the SGU website