NICK MacANDREW, JANE TURNER WIN R AND A SCHOLARS' TITLES

FROM THE R AND A WEBSITE
Aberdeen University’s Nick MacAndrew claimed an emphatic seven-shot victory in the 2011 R and A Foundation Scholars Tournament, which concluded yesterday on St Andrews’ Old Course.
Jane Turner of Robert Gordon University, meanwhile, took the women’s title by two strokes from Kelsey MacDonald and Pamela Pretswell.
With winds of up to 50mph battering the links, scores were high, and MacAndrew’s battling third-round 77 was the joint lowest of the day. That followed two opening rounds of 71 on the Eden Course to give MacAndrew his winning total of 219, five over par.
“It was so tough out there today; the most difficult conditions I’ve ever experienced at St Andrews,” said the Aberdonian, who benefitted from the Paul Lawrie Foundation’s schools programme in his early career.
“I struggled a bit over the first seven or eight holes, but found some rhythm coming in. The wind was a little bit more manageable over the last six holes, so that made it easier to keep hold of the score.”
MacAndrew will now look forward to taking his place on the European team, which will contest the Palmer Cup against the USA at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Connecticut.
“It’s fantastic to win and get that place on the team,” he added. “I’m looking forward to being able to test myself against some of the world’s best amateurs.”
Women’s champion Jane Turner, who overcame the challenges of last year’s winner, Kelsey MacDonald, and Curtis Cup player Pamela Pretswell to take the title, was rewarded with a place in a Ladies European Tour event later in the year.
“It’s my ambition to turn professional when I leave university, so this will give me some great experience of how my game compares to the best,” said the 21-year-old Craigielaw Golf Club member. “I’m thrilled to win, especially given the conditions we all endured and the quality of the field. It’s a big boost at the start of an important season.”
A total of 60 competitors played 36 holes over the Eden Course on Monday 4 April, before contesting 18 on the Old on Tuesday.
+iMAGE OF JANE TURNER AND NICK MacANDREW WITH THEIR TROPHIES BY COURTESY OF THE R AND A WEBSITE
+For the 2010/2011 academic year, The R and A awarded a record number of Foundation scholarships, taking its support of student golf to over £300,000. 121 scholars from 12 countries, including Fiji, Japan and South Africa, have benefitted.

+TO READ ALL THE SCORES AND THE R AND A WEBSITE

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