Auchterarder lad is Matchplay champ
Harry wins junior trophy to kick-start his season
Auchterarder golfer Harry Clark has been crowned Perth and Kinross Junior Matchplay champion.
The Beaconhurst student defeated Declan Gray, of host club Blairgowrie, in an enthralling final played over the Peter Allis designed Lansdowne course.
Twenty-one holes were needed to separate the pair with 15-year-old Clark eventually winning the tie with a well-worked birdie on the first.
David Ramsay, secretary of Perth and Kinross County Golf, said: “What a great competition the Junior Matchplay Championships was.
“Huge thanks must go to the Blairgowrie Golf Club and the courtesy of their members and starters, who facilitated every request for extra holes with grace and enthusiasm, we really do appreciate it.
“The final was a fantastic game in great match play traditions and it could have gone either way. Well done to both finalists who can reflect on some tough golf where they both held it together all the way.”
Auchterarder Golf Club managing secretary David Smith was delighted for the young member and hopes this is just the beginning.
“Rising Auchterarder star Harry Clark currently plays off a handicap of six and reached the pinnacle of County golf by winning the Perth and Kinross Junior Matchplay Championship at the weekend,” he said.
“Although Harry is yet to win the Auchterarder Junior Club Championship, he’s arguably gone one better already, winning the Under-18 Championship at just 15.
“There is plenty of time for him to achieve more success in the junior ranks.”
The previous week talented junior golfers embarked on their mission to qualify for the matchplay format by competing for the strokeplay title, held at Auchterarder.
Impressive scoring was the order of the day with Muckhart Golf Club’s Andrew Thornton taking the trophy after shooting a level-par round of 69.
Alex Simpson of Strathmore Golf Club carded a round of 70 to claim second, with Kirsty Brodie, also Strathmore, and Blairgowrie’s Campbell Gibson sharing third. Harry Clark, Perth and Kinross junior matchplay champion