SCOTTISH GOLF UNION PRESS RELEASE

DOUGLAS GILLESPIE PLANT CELEBRATES
30 YEARS OF SPONSORSHIP WITH
THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

This year’s staging of the Douglas Gillespie Scottish Boys Under-16 championship marks sponsor Douglas Gillespie’s 30th year of partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, making the company one of the domestic game’s longest serving supporters.
The event takes place at Brunston Castle in Ayrshire from Tuesday to Thursday this weej and has a record 169 entries registered for one of Scotland’s premier junior golf events.
Douglas Gillespie, Chairman and Managing Director of the family forklift specialist is proud of his long standing association with the event:
“This is our thirtieth year of partnership with the Scottish Golf Union and we are delighted to have been able to encourage the development of Scottish golf over the years. It is very pleasing to see many youngsters who have played in our under 16s tournament go on to national and international level and many on to the professional circuit,”
“The popularity of the tournament is evident by the distances many travel to play. In recent years we’ve had competitors with Scottish connections from the US, Saudi Arabia and across Europe, as well as sons of well-known pros, like Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance. Seeing the new talent emerge and progress over the years makes the company’s investment worthwhile.”
Hamish Grey, SGU Chief Executive, added:
“We’re extremely grateful to Douglas Gillespie and his staff for their wonderful support of Scottish golf over the last thirty years. Many sponsors come and go but Douglas has stood by the organisation and helped nurture some of the game’s current stars in Scotland.”
“The Under 16s championship has gone from strength to strength and the record entry this year has proved just how popular the championship has become. I’m sure this month’s event will provide a fitting tribute to Douglas’ sponsorship.”
Whilst the world’s leading golf stars battle it out at Loch Lomond on the same week, many of the UK’s most promising youngsters will line up in Ayrshire to contest the prestigious trophy and emulate past champions now emerging as future stars. Last year’s winner, Sam McLaren, went on to represent Scotland as they defeated England at Under 16s level for the first time, whilst 2005 champion Darren Renwick has become an established England Boys international.
Reigning Scottish Under 14s champion Paul McPhee, from the King James VI club in Perth, will be looking to step up an age group and repeat his form at Deeside last year, whilst Clydebank’s young hot shot, John Henry, is aiming to follow in the footsteps of elder brother Scott, the former double Scottish boys champion.
The lowest handicap player in the field is Truro’s Billy Downing (scratch), winner of the 2005 Scottish Under 14s crown, while Inchmarlo’s Chris Robb at handicap one is the lowest Scot in the championship along with Dalmahoy’s Tom Blennerhassett. Chris will be looking for inspiration from fellow Aberdonians Richie Ramsay and James Byrne, two of the amateur game’s brightest prospects.
The Douglas Gillespie Scottish Boys Under-16s Championship tees off tomorrow. A handicap ballot of 6.1 has been set for the field of 120. Parents and spectators are welcome to attend throughout the week.