05/08/09
Glen’s Rebecca Edgar and Duns’ Lewis Craic were today’s victors in the fourth Regional Final of the 2009 Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters at a sunny Lothianburn GC in Edinburgh.
It was young Borderer Craic who stole the show with a superb back nine of 27 points to give him a 42 point haul and clinch the boys’ title, pipping Selkirk’s Robbie Lacon on the better inward half. The 13-year-old had a disappointing front nine, but eagled the 15th hole and followed it up with a birdie three at the 16th before parring the last two holes to record the best ever Junior Masters nine hole tally.
“It’s definitely the best nine holes of my golfing career.” said the 18-handicapper. “The eagle just seemed to give me confidence and I played really well over the last few holes. This is the biggest event I have played in and I can’t wait to get to Gleneagles for the Final.”
Fellow Borders youngster Lacon looked to have sealed the number one spot with 42 points after an impressively consistent round, but had to settle for the runners-up place after Craic’s amazing finish. North Berwick’s Johnnie Peoples finished in third position on 41 points, his better inward half edging out Kerr Anderson (Pumpherston) and Gary Brownlee (Tantallon) who also ended the round on the 41 point mark.
It was a day to remember for the East Lothian contingent in the girls section as they dominated the top three places. Rebecca Edgar (Glen) took the top spot on 37 points, one ahead of Gullane’s Lara Frostwick who clinched the runners-up spot, whilst North Berwick’s Keren Ward was third a shot further back.
“This was one of my better rounds this year and having played in last year’s Regional Final and missing out I’m delighted to reach the Final at Gleneagles. I played really well today and it should be a good competition with the other girls from the area in the Final.” said 16-year-old Edgar, a member of the East Lothian performance squad.
On a day of low scoring amid great conditions and excellent greens on the Lothianburn course, the cut mark for boys qualification was 38 points (including countback) with the top 13 qualifying for the Gleneagles final, whilst the leading 8 girls on 29 points or better made it through.
Ross Duncan, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager for the Scottish Golf Union said: “Today’s event was proof of the popularity of golf at the grass roots level with some great young talent coming through in the Lothians and Borders.”
“Dunfermline Building Society’s sponsorship of junior golf over the last three years has enabled the SGU to give more opportunities to young golfers across Scotland and many have progressed into our Academy and elite national championships.” he added.