LIAM AND KIRSTY top Gleneagles class in Highland Spring Junior Masters

Leah Holmes, Highland Spring's sponsorship executive with the leading prizewinners and competitors at Gleneagles. Liam McDowell is to the left of Leah with Kirsty to the right. Picture by Rob Eyton-Jones of clubgolf. By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Youngsters Liam McDowell (Wigtownshire County), a 14-year-old from Glenluce, and 11-year-old Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) from Alyth, headed the boys' and girls' categories in the Highland Spring Junior Masters on a wet and windy and sometimes sunny day at the Queens Course, Gleneagles today. They collected the top prizes on offer for a field of 81 who qualified from regional events for this Under-16 years, handicap-based Stableford points competition organised by the Scottish Golf Union, assisted by the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association and run in conjunction with clubgolf, Scotland's national junior golf development programme. Last, but certainly not least, it was generously sponsored by Highland Spring, whose headquarters are just along the Perthshire road from Gleneagles. Liam, in the last boys threesome to finish, broke a seven-way logjam on 34pt with a good score of 36pt in the tough conditions (CSS was +2 for both the boys and girls). Playing off 28 of a handicap – he's only been playing golf between two and three years and is coached by another Wigtownshire Co member, Bob Hannah – McDowell said he putted well in a gross round of 91. He gained 19pt on the outward half and 17pt coming home. Of the group on 34pt, Michael Brodie (Strathmore) (handicap 6) was placed second on a card countback, which went down to the last three holes, just ahead of Calum Taggart (Eastwood) (handicap 12). Calum Jackson (Gogarburn) (handicap 23) almost secured second place on his own and would have been the clubhouse leader until McDowell came in but Calum's 10ft putt on the very last green hung on the lip but stayed above ground. The line between success and disappointment can be millimetres thick! The aforementioned Michael Brodie's younger sister, Kirsty, only 11 but she has been playing the game since she was four years old, and has 13 of a handicap, had the best overall points score of the day – an excellent total of 40pt.- round in 82 gross – 46 out, 36 in – Kirsty collected 18 pt before the turn and 22pt on the inward half. Kirsty, coached by Andy Lamb at Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth,  won by 3pt from St Andrews' Jemma Brown (St Regulus) (9) with 37pt. Another Fifer, Alexandra Mennie (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) (21), finished third on 36pt. BOYS' POINTS CSS +2 36 Liam McDowell (Wigtownshire Co) (28). 34 Michael Brodie (Strathmore) (6), Cameron Black (Cardross) (5). Euan McIntosh (Murrayfield) (9), Calum Taggart (Eastwood) (12), Lee MacKenzie (Bonar Bridge) (13), Calum Jackson (Gogarburn) (23), Cameron Grant (Loch Ness) (28).. 33 Alistair Thurlow (Murrayfield) (5), Connor Mackay (Loudoun Gowf) (8), Neil Jubb (Muckhart) (13), Stephen Craig (Aboyne) (5) 32 David Robinson (Largs) (10), 31 Gordon Yule (Bishopbriggs) (5). 30 Lewis Craik (Duns) (12). 29 Craig Black (Inverness) (4), Gregor McEwan (Alloa) (14), Jamie King (Turnhouse) (15). 28 Glen Burrett (Haggs Castle), Brian McAdam (Alloa) (9), Gavin Kinnear (Murcar Links) (9), Chris Martin (Cowglen) (13), Andrew Woods (Bothwell Castle) (14). 27 Ian Dawson (Elmwood) (12), Sam Fraser (Pitreavie) (12), Aidan Fortune (Kelso) (4), Andrew Burgess (Nairn) (1), Kieran Floyd (Glen) (16), Andrew Campbell (Dunfermline) (25). 26 Kyle Sutherland (Brora) (11), Alasdair Baird (Nairn) (12), Marc Britovsek (Nairn Dunbar) (25), Tom Flaherty (Banchory) (23). 25 Alexander Mackie (Powfoot) (6), Oliver Ladbrooke (Gullane) (5), Ryan Harker (Torphins) (21). 24 Scott Peebles-Brown (Vale of Leven) (24). 23 Oscar Howard (Gairloch) (23). 22 Andrew Thomson (Mouse Valley) (8), Jack Bulloch (Silverknowes) (9), Daniel Gibson (Thornhill (12). 21 Ruari McCartney (Reay) (14), Thomas Jordan (Machrihanish) (13). 20 Euan Gray (Turriff) (14), Andrew Baird (Whitecraigs) (17).. 19 Michael Carrell (Peterculter) (13), Callum Keane (Merchants of Edinburgh) (14). 18 Craig Sweenie (Kelso) (14). 17 Chris Kelly (Renfrew) (21). 16 Harry Johnstone (Cawder) (11). GIRLS' POINTS CSS +2 40 Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) (13). 37 Jemma Brown (St Regulus) (19). 36 Alexandra Mennie (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) (21). 35 Leanne Wilson (Kelso) (14). 34 Lara Frostwick (Gullane Ladies) (14), Emma Paterson (Loudoun Gowf) (36).. 33 Heather Neilson (Mouse Valley) (16). 32 Kaylan Grainger (Strathpeffer Spa) (9), Jessica Dalgetty (Glencorse) (11). 31 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) (11), Kirsten Ireland (Dalbeattie) (12).. 30 Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) (30), Jorden Ferrie (Kirkintilloch) (5), Andrea Walker (Falkirk) (20), Alexandra Duffy (Blairbeth) (21), 29 Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) (6). 28 Lara Frostwick (Gullane Ladies) (14). 27 Sophie Bain (Musselburgh) (18). 26 Connie Jaffrey (Ayrshire Ladies) (1), Charlotte Munro (Gullane Ladies) (19).. 25 Mirren Fraser (Powfoot) (10), Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) (22). 24 Lauren Coventry (Greenock Whinhill) (36). 23 Shannon Young (Dunbar) (28). 22 Danielle Ker (Roxburghe) (6), Jess Dalziel (Burntisland) (36). 21 Leah Smart (Rosehearty) (28), Maria Cowan (St Meddan) (21) 12 Emily Glencorse (Millport) (17). Defending girls champion Charlotte Munro (Gullane Ladies), will only 11 years old, had the misfortune to mishit her first drive and then played a provisional. Given that unsettling start, she did well to total 26pt.