The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Scottish amateur of year award for Syme
Fifer says consistency is the key behind his ‘cool achievement’
Walker Cup player Connor Syme has been given a boost in the wake of Great Britain & Ireland’s weekend defeat after being crowned Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Thanks to finishing as the leading Scot (eighth), at either male or female level, on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) at the September 6 cut-off point, the Drumoig golfer has secured the coveted accolade.
Syme was pushed all the way by last year’s winner and Walker Cup teammate, Glencruitten’s Robert Macintyre, who finished in 14th spot, with Craig Howie from Peebles the next bestplaced Scot in 51st.
Syme, the 2016 Australian Amateur champion, enjoyed another consistent season which saw him win the Battle Trophy at Crail GS, qualify to play in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and reach the quarter-finals of the US Amateur Championship.
Having also represented Scotland for the third year in a row at the European Amateur Team Championship, helped by finishing fifth in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play, Syme went
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It’s something that anybody playing amateur golf in Scotland wants to achieve. CONNOR SYME
on to tee up for GB&I against the US at the Walker Cup at Los Angeles Country Club – winning his opening foursomes match with Irishman Paul Mcbride.
Syme, coached by father Stuart, follows in the spike marks of the last three winners of the award: Bradley Neil (2014), Ewen Ferguson (2015) and Macintyre (2016).
“It was a target for me this year to try and achieve the award,” said Syme, who has shot up the world rankings from outside the top 5,000 since 2013.
“Ewen won it two years ago, and Bob last year, and it’s quite a cool achievement.
“It’s something that anybody playing amateur golf in Scotland wants to achieve through WAGR, so I’m delighted to win it.
“Consistency has been the key for me this year.
“I was hoping the US Amateur was going to be the big win I was craving for, but it didn’t come about.
“There was the win at the Battle Trophy and a lot of top-10s, which I’m obviously pleased with.
“The highlight was probably where my world amateur ranking is, as you seek to try and get to as high in the world rankings as you possibly can.”
Reflecting on the 19-7 Walker Cup defeat last weekend, the 22-year-old added: “It was a great experience in Los Angeles and it’s something I’ll never forget.
“We did as well as we could, but the American team holed more key putts and when you fall behind in a team event it is hard to claw it back.”