Baird and Coventry win latest Highland Spring JunIor Masters Regional Final

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Alasdair Baird from Nairn and Greenock Whinhill’s Lauren Coventry (both pictured) won yesterday’s fourth and concluding Highland Spring Junior Masters Regional Final at Loudoun Gowf in Ayrshire.

The Highland Spring Junior Masters is Scotland's largest and most exciting free-to-enter golf event for boys and girls aged under 16 who hold a handicap at an SGU or SLGA affiliated club with a fantastic incentive of a Grand Final at Gleneagles’ on Sunday 9 October for the successful qualifiers. 

Yesterday, recently-turned 16 Alasdair Baird, playing off 12 and a member of Nairn Golf Club, made the long journey south after missing July’s regional final at Loch Ness GC. 

And the 410 mile round trip was worth the effort.  Alasdair, a protégé of PGA Pro and Scottish Golf’s North Academy Coach David Torrance, took first prize with a stableford tally of 40 points, one ahead of the host club’s Connor Mackay.  Kelso’s Craig Sweenie finished in third place on 36 points.

With the top 11 boys qualifying for the Grand Final there was a card countback on 31 points which resulted in David Robinson from Largs GC sealing the final qualifying berth with a better last 6 holes of 12 points. 

“I really wanted to get to the final so it was very good to win and I'm really looking forward to going to Gleneagles,” said a delighted Alastair Baird who had travelled to Loudoun with club mate Andrew Burgess who also qualified.

“I wanted to play a new course and have a good game.  The course was in great condition, and the greens were holding the ball which I thought was pretty useful.   

“I've only played the Wee Course at Gleneagles, so it will be good to play the Queen’s Course.”

For the second Regional Final in succession a 12 year old won the girl’s event.  Today was the turn of  Lauren Coventry, who when this event was staged at her own Greenock Whinhill Golf Club last year, missed qualifying for the final by a single point. 

A 36 handicapper, who was introduced to the game and is coached by her grandfather, Lauren recorded a fantastic score of 43 points, beating Ayrshire Ladies Connie Jaffrey into second place on 37 points, whilst Emma Hale from Ladies Golf Club Troon who also returned 37 points was awarded third place on card countback.   

“I was just hoping to qualify for the finals because last year I missed out by one point,” Lauren said afterwards.  “I'm a lot better since last year but I didn't think I would win because there were so many other girls playing".   

“It felt very good to win today, and it was the first win I have had.  I've never been to Gleneagles before.  I am really looking forward to it, it will be completely different". 

33 points was the magic total for the leading 9 girls to qualify for the Grand Final. 

Already a supporter of grass roots sport in Scotland, Highland Spring recently announced a new sponsorship agreement with the Scottish Golf Union.  It is now the official sponsor of the Junior Masters, a supporting partner of clubgolf, the national junior golf programme and is also supporting 14 other national amateur events in Scotland.

Rob Eyton-Jones

clubgolf Media Manager

t:  07775 746981

e:  rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

Official clubgolf website:  www.clubgolfscotland.com