Just champion! That's how Callum Trahan was feeling after the presentation ceremony at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Banchory boy Callum Trahan wins play-off

for first title on International Junior Tour

Callum Trahan from Banchory, a member of Murcar Links Golf Club and a current student of the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has scored his first victory on the US-based International Junior Golf Tour.

Competing in the Boys' 16 to 19 years Division over 36 holes at the Port Royal Plantation Resort, Hilton Head, Trahan triumphed in a play-off at posting a three-over-par total of 147.

After the opening round he found himself a little disappointed with a round of six-over-par 80. Starting Sunday’s round, Trahan was six stroke off the lead. Not to be discouraged the Scot came out firing on all cylinders - four birdies and an eagle in his first
nine holes for a five-under-par front nine.

Callum maintained his momentum till the end improving on his first-round 80 by a remarkable 13 shots with a 67 for 147.

“Coming into today’s round, I knew I had to keep the ball in play. After my front nine, I knew I still had to scramble to get to the fron. I had to make some putts and I would have a chance at victory.”

In the end, Trahan did enough to tie with fellow Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy classmate Greg Schmaus from Uppder Saddle River, New Jersey who shot 75 and 72 for 147.

Out they went again in a sudden-death play-off. After the first hole was halved in par, Trahan sank a 15ft putt for a winning par at the second hole.

Rounding out the top three was Scott Simpson of Morrison, Illinois with consistent rounds of 74 and 75 for 149.

Trahan received a bonus prize for having the lowest boys' round - a J Lindeberg White Slater Belt from the IJGT's newest sponsor, J Lindeberg.

Callum will not automatically qualify for a place in the International Junior Golf Tour's Champion of Champions' tournament, to be held in Florida in May.

It's a dramatic change of fortunes for Trahan who, only the week or so before the tournament, was hit in the face by an errant golf ball and had to have 10 stitches to repair the wound.