Scottish Boys Review

Lots of talent and no hissy fits, just a pity about those devices

Scotsman : Tuesday 17 April 2012 00:00

THE Masters may be the official start of the golfing season for most people but, for this correspondent, the sound of the gun going off in April is the opening blow of the Scottish Boys’ Championship, the first big event on the domestic calendar.

Over the years I’ve witnessed the under-18s tournament mainly at Dunbar and West Kilbride, watching the likes of Andrew Coltart, Alastair Forsyth, Steven O’Hara, Scott Henry, David Law and Michael Stewart, to name but a few, cutting their competitive teeth in the head-to-head jousts. There are plenty of others who fell short of their potential – 1998 champion Colin Fraser and Steven Young, the only player to lift the title three years in a row from 1993-1995, are the two main ones that spring to mind – but the event is never always a reliable form guide going forward. Some of the champions over the years simply excelled themselves that week, enjoying the highlight of their career but not being able to use that as a springboard to bigger and better things. It’s the nature of the event and part of its attraction, too.

At the start of last week, a total of 256 youngsters set out at Murcar Links dreaming of glory. The last man standing, Craig Howie of Peebles, secured a place in the record books as he became the first Borders player to lift the title in the event’s 77-year history. The 17-year-old was a worthy winner, having backed up a solid game with a dogged determination to get the job done throughout the week. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Howie, especially as he is hoping to follow in the spikemarks of Catriona Matthew and Richie Ramsay by joining the excellent golf programme at Stirling University later this year.

It will be fascinating as well to see how the likes of beaten finalist Ewan Scott, fellow St Andrean Ben Kinsley and Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil develop over the coming years, the trio having also impressed this observer on the north-east coast. While Scott’s title bid petered out in the end, I really like the cut of his jib. The same goes for Kinsley, who is an impressive ball-striker, while it would be something of a shock, to be honest, if Neil didn’t add his name to the roll of honour in the two more bites he’s got at this particular cherry.

It was refreshing to hear a Scottish golfer talk enthusiastically about putting, as Neil did after one of his matches. He doesn’t lack confidence either and that’s encouraging, too, as you sometimes wonder if our golfers have the same self- belief as, for example, their English counterparts.

Add in a dozen or so others who impressed, including Buckpool’s Jake Scott, Connar Cook of Caird Park and Cowglen’s Alan Waugh, and there is no doubt that Scottish golf is continuing to produce exciting talent at grass-roots level. That’s testament to the work being done around the country by the Scottish Golf Academy coaches. Howie, for instance, works with Colin Brooks in the East, while Steve North, Kevin Hale, George Boswell, Brian Gemmell, Neil Marr, David Torrance and Gregor Monks are helping nurture the cream of the talent in other parts of the country.

From what I saw in the main on the north-east coast, they’re not just passing on good advice about the mechanics of the game. There were no hissy-fits, the tone on that score being set by Craig Lawrie, the tournament host’s son as he masked the bitter disappointment of a first-round exit to speak mannerably and openly about his future plans. Paul Lawrie’s sponsorship and presence during the week was terrific for the event, as was the venue. This was only Murcar’s third staging of the SGU tournament, but it’s hopefully on the rota to stay. As a whole host of back-nine fightbacks illustrated, it’s a terrific match-play course. It also boasts practice facilities that are the envy of some near neighbours.

Alas, I do have one gripe about last week. It was the sight of some competitors using those awful distance measuring devices, having been permitted to do so for the first time in the event. Surely teaching young players in particular to trust their eye is an important part of their golfing education. [ not sure I agree ? ]