DANIELLE KER IN TELEGRAPH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP LINE-UP ON ALGARVE

NEWS RELEASE
Teenager Danielle Ker, from The Roxburghe Golf Club, Kelso will be targeting international glory next month when she heads to Quinta do Lago on Portugal's Algarve coastline to compete in the final of the Telegraph BMW Junior Golf Championship – the world’s largest junior golf event.

Ker, pictured, semi-finalist in this year's Scottish U18 girls championship and who qualified after shooting a course-record one-under 70 at Kelso GC in a competition in July, will line-up against the cream of the UK’s top up-and coming golfers for the chance to lift the title at the prestigious resort.

2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley will take time out from his preparations for next year’s event at Gleneagles to greet the 21 finalists who will gather at Quinta do Lago for the climax to this year’s championship from October 9-11.

Quinta do Lago’s iconic South Course, which has staged the Portuguese Open eight times, will host the 54-strokeplay competition as the budding stars of the future compete for the chance to succeed 2012 champions Matthew Fitzpatrick, winner of this year’s US Amateur Championship, and Emily Taylor.

Previous winners have included the likes of the US Open champion Justin Rose and stars of the men’s and ladies’ tours in Europe, Oliver Fisher, Melissa Reid and Carly Booth. Every year, thousands of youngsters from across the UK take part in the competition to vie for final places – 12 for boys and nine for girls.

The event was launched in 1985 but this year will be the first time since 1994 that it is being held in Portugal’s famous Algarve region – a well-known haven for golfers throughout Europe.

McGinley said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the 2013 Telegraph BMW Junior Golf Championship. For more than 25 years, the championship has given junior golfers throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland the chance to be part of the biggest junior golf competition in the world.

“The calibre of champions over the years illustrates this is one of the ‘Majors’ on the junior golf circuit and a great starting point for many in their golfing careers. I’m looking forward to meeting the finalists at Quinta do Lago in October when they will experience the trip of a lifetime. Good luck to everyone taking part this year.”

Qualifying events were held at more than 1,000 clubs in the UK and Republic of Ireland throughout the summer and with boys and girls of all abilities invited to enter.

John Dwyer, chief executive of Quinta do Lago, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the final of such a prestigious event and look forward to meeting the 21 finalists when they will compete for the 2013 title on our South Course. We would like to wish all the juniors taking part in this year’s championship the best of luck.”

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is one of the most highly regarded golf and residential developments in the Algarve since opening in 1972.

Located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, the resort offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community.

THE BOYS WHO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR TELEGRAPH BMW JUNIOR FINAL

1. Jack Singh Brar

He played the 2011 Telegraph Championships in Abu Dhabi, having just turned 15, and stood out then as a powerful hitter and one to watch. Two years on, the Hampshire star and 2012 Faldo Series winner returns as leading qualifier and favourite for the title. Carded a -6 round during the European Tour’s Russian Open earlier this summer.

2. Jamie Li

Runner-up at the Carris Trophy, the English Boys under-18 Championship. The Bath teenager’s performance there was enough to earn him a recent England international debut for the under-16s against Wales.

3. Joshua Bristow
Won the Kent Golf Union Junior Championship in August by firing an incredible 61 at St. Augustines, including two bogeys, making his debut at the Telegraph finals more than just a formality.
4. Scott Bryan
A beneficiary of the Wentworth Scholarship Programme, the Surrey under-18 golfer is tall and powerful and should be suited to Quinta do Lago’s layout.
5. Ben Dunlop
Aged 16, won the mens’ and junior club Championship at Redbourn Golf Club last summer and has taken his form into 2013, culminating with a -5 qualifying score for the Telegraph Championship.
6. Arrun Singh Brar
The second Singh Brar to make the finals. Younger cousin of Jack, the Hampshire teenager is another precocious talent. Aged only 14, he beat boys four years his senior to claim the Junior Welsh Open this summer.
7. Gareth Lappin
The young Irishman’s 67 in the Henry Cooper Masters in June was enough to propel him onto the Telegraph leaderboard. The former Irish Boys' champion, he led his club, Belvoir Park, to victory in the recent all-Ireland Fred Daly Trophy.
8. Daniel Leigh
The 18-year-old won the East Lancashire order of merit this summer and helped his Rossendale junior team qualify for the regional finals. Recorded -5 at his club’s Junior Open.
9. Ashton Turner
Finished fifth in last year’s Telegraph Championship. In August, he captained GB and Ireland to success in the Jacques Leglise Trophy over Continental Europe as they regained their title.
10. Bradley Moore
Aged 15 won the McEvoy Trophy, the first of the season's "junior majors", before finishing eagle, birdie to claim the European Young Masters in Hamburg. The Derbyshire teenager is one to watch.
Sponsors' invites
11. Ewen Ferguson
Underlined his invite by becoming the first Scot to win the boys’ Amateur Championship in almost a decade. To cap off his season, the 17-year-old was also confirmed this month as the Scottish Hydro Boys’ Order of Merit winner.
12. Nathan Brader
Hails from Scarborough but is the second sponsors’ invite thanks to Portugal residency. A four-time winner of the Oceanico World Kids Championship from 2009-2013, he has racked up an array of trophies in Portuguese junior championships. Plays at Quinta do Lago.

 THE GIRLS WHO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE TELEGRAPH BMW JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

1. Mollie Lawrence

The 15-year-old was left in ‘total shock’ after qualifying top in the girls’ event. Lawrence, who plays at Rochester and Cobham, carded a 68 gross during the Henry Cooper Junior Masters to seal her berth. Also helped Kent Ladies to their first Southern title for a decade at the County Week regionals.

2. Lily Downs

The 16-year-old has moved up through the ranks for Yorkshire Ladies this summer. Won the Junior Rosebowl at Pannal to qualify for her debut at the Telegraph finals.

3. Roanne Tomlinson
The Haydock Park golfer heads to Portugal in fine form after winning the Lancashire Junior Championship by a massive 10 shots.
4. Samantha Fuller
An exciting talent and still only 14. Part of the winning GB & Ireland team at the Vagliano Trophy, the Roehampton member is the youngest ever to be picked for the England under-18 national squad. Started playing aged two.
5. Lauren Horsford
Another south Londoner (Wimbledon Park) who will make the trip, Horsford put GCSEs ahead of her golf this summer, but still found her form to qualify for the Telegraph event. Has now started at golf college in Sussex.
6. Danielle Ker
After narrowly failing to qualify last year, the Borders golfer travels to the Algarve having set two course records this summer. The 17-year-old represented Scottish Schools for the first time and is a Scottish Golf Academy member.
7. Alice Hewson
Berkhamsted’s Hewson birdied her way to a superb 66 and two-shot victory in the Scottish under-16 Championship. Part of the England team that won the team title at the European Young Masters.
8. Ellie Goodall
The Northern Girls’ under-18 champion plays her golf at Selby golf club and heads to Portugal in fine fettle after winning the Yorkshire Ladies Junior Championship this summer.
Sponsors' invite
9. Sophie Keech
The Millfield School pupil should be a presence in Portugal after winning the English under-18 Girls’ Championships in August. She is also the English Schools’ and South West Girls’ champion.