SCOTTISH U-14 CHAMPIONSHIPS

PAUL AND JILL WIN TITLES AT DEESIDE

 

Perth youngster Paul McPhee completed a notable double for his golf club, King James VI, at Deeside GC today when he won the Scottish boys’ under-14 open title by two shots – 24 hours after clubmate Sam McLaren won the Under-16s’ championship.

Paul, 14-year-old son of Ian McPhee, the former Airdrie and Dundee United footballer and latterly manager of Forfar Athletic, shot a one-under-par 69 before lunchtime at the Bieldside course.

And at the end of play, some six hours later, his name was still at the top of the leaderboard in the chase for the Douglas Forsyth Trophy.

Master McPhee has been playing golf for only four years. He missed the cut in the Under-16s championship by only one shot but obviously benefited from two competitive rounds over what is a deceptively difficult parkland course.

“We have a great junior section at King James VI,” said Paul. “It’s all down to the enthusiasm of junior convener Bob Blackburn.”

The closest anyone got to McPhee’s long-time clubhouse target was Alan Tulleth (St Andrews) with a 71.

Defending champion Billy Downing (Truro) finished third with a 72.

Robert Gauld, 11-year-old Cruden Bay member, won the Gibson Trophy for the best scratch score by an Under-12 boy. Doctor’s son Robert shot a gross 76, a brilliant effort by an 18-handicapper.

Jill Meldrum from Dullatur won the Scottish girls’ Under-14 open championship with a net 69 off eight of a handicap. Her gross 77 (38-39), only three over the girls’ CSS,  also won her the scratch cup.

Jill received the championship salver for her 69 but the gold medal in the net returns when to Cara Easton (Dalmahoy), last year's winner of the Under-14 girls title, ahead of Sophie Alexander (Deeside) who earned the silver medal. Both had net 70s, Cara off 10 and Sophie off 29.

Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) won the bronze medal with a net 71 off 13.

Rachel Howie (West Kilbride) won the Under-12s award for the lowest net score with a 76 off 32.

The national under-14s championships, organised by the SGU and the SLGA, are staged in association with the Loretto Golf Academy, Musselburgh.