CARNOUSTIE HIGH GIRL TAKES TOP HOURS AT ALFRED DUNHILL SCHOOLS CHALLENGE

 NEWS RELEASE

Fifteen-year-old Carnoustie High School pupil Claire Robertson, pictured above, has taken double honours at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Schools Golf Challenge, played  over the Kittocks Course at Fairmont St Andrews. 

The fourth year student won the Senior Girls title with a net score of 74 while her actual score of 78 landed her the overall scratch prize in the annual competition. Her round included her first-ever eagle which she carded on the course’s par five 15^th hole.

Claire, a member of Carnoustie Ladies Golf Club, took up golf at the age of six and currently plays off a handicap of four. She spent the last year playing with the Scottish Under-16 Girls squad, representing Scotland in a British Isles nation’s event last April. Speaking after her winning round, she said: “I was really happy with how I played and especially delighted with the eagle. The course was in good condition and the greens were great today, all of which contributed to my scoring.”

After winning the Junior Girls title at last year’s Alfred Dunhill Schools Golf Challenge, Claire reduced her handicap by three strokes over the last 12 months. “Playing with the Scotland squad, with lots of extra training over the winter months, has been really beneficial in improving my game,” she said.

The annual competition featured a strong field of young golfers representing a number of schools from across Tayside and Fife. The Senior Boys category was won by Josh Norrie, a 6^th year pupil at Dundee’s Braeview High School who carded a net score of 76 off a handicap of six. 

Josh, who took up golf four years ago, is a member of the Ballundie Castle Golf Club where he was last year’s junior handicap and scratch tournament champion.  He said: “I’m really pleased with today’s score and delighted to take the Senior Boys title, especially having only taken up golf in the last few years. My grandfather has really influenced my game and tutored me when I first took up the sport.”

Meanwhile the Junior Boys title was won by Jack Lockhart of Dunfermline High School with a net score of 79. Abroath High School student Rachel Shepherd took the Junior Girls title. The 11 year old netted a score of 89. 

The winners will be invited to receive their Alfred Dunhill Schools Golf Challenge prizes at The Old Course, St Andrews on the final day of this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Sunday, September 29. All the participants will also be invited, together with their parents and a school representative, to attend an exclusive golf clinic on the Championship practice ground given by the internationally renowned golf coach Robert Baker.

Baker said: “The Alfred Dunhill Schools Golf Challenge is a superb competition which promotes and encourages golf amongst young people in the local area. I congratulate all of today’s competitors and look forward to meeting these talented youngsters at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where we will hold our annual coaching clinic with them. 

"Getting the right direction and coaching early enough in their golf career can really help these young golfers develop their game and potentially enable them to compete at the highest level.”

With a prize fund of US$5 million, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and a team event in which the professionals are paired with some of the most celebrated amateur golfers which creates a unique atmosphere.

Played on three superb links courses - the Old Course St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie - a strong international field including defending champion Branden Grace, Paul Casey, Louis Oosthuizen, Darren Clarke, Martin Kaymer, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els and Paul Lawrie is set to compete in this year’s tournament.

Among the amateurs who have competed in the Championship in recent years are film and TV stars Andy Garcia, Hugh Grant and Kyle MacLachlan and sporting heroes Sir Steve Redgrave, Johan Cruyff, Jamie Rednapp, Tim Henman and Shane Warne.

Entrance to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will be FREE at all three courses on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A ticket price of £20 (concessionary £15) will be charged for the final day’s play over the Old Course on Sunday, September 29.  Entry for under 16s and students is free. Tickets are available through the ticket hotline on 0870 010 9021 or at the entrance gates.