Barrie’s event has Bradley’s backing

EUROPEAN Tour golfer Bradley Neil has paid tribute to Perth man Barrie Douglas, a mentor of young golfers, who passed away last August while on duty as Scotland captain at the European Boys’Team Championship in Spain.

A new junior event has been launched in Barrie’s memory.

The inaugural Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters will be staged on the Blairgowrie club’s Lansdowne Course from April 27-29.

The event is a 54-hole no cut World Amateur Golf Ranking for U/16 and U/18 boys. There will be a field of 120.

Bradley said: “I’m proud to have played many times for Barrie.

“I’m really hoping I will be around for the event to help continue his legacy. It’s a fitting tribute for Barrie.”

Barrie’s death, aged 69, left many in the game saddened and saw the formation of The Barrie Douglas Foundation in his honour to help young players.

A huge supporter of Scottish Golf activities, Barrie performed various selection and captaincy roles and was also a GB&I selector for the R&A from 2009-2016.

Meanwhile, Bradley is in the field for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters which starts tomorrow in Doha.

Connor Syme, Marc Warren, Grant Forrest, David Dysdale, Scott Jamieson, Stephen Gallacher, Paul Lawrie and Richie Ramsay are the other Scots playing.