The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dalziel clinches title in style to top order of merit
blairgowrie: 45-foot putt seals Junior Masters win for Airdrie teenager
Airdrie teenager Greg Dalziel holed a stunning 45-foot play-off eagle putt to clinch the inaugural Blackadders Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters under-18 title at Blairgowrie Golf Club.
The 17-year-old edged out Ayr Belleisle’s Jack Broun after they were tied on level par 216 after three rounds over the Lansdowne course. Taylor Kerr (Sanquhar) was third on 217.
The victory lifted Dalziel, the 2017 Scottish Boys champion, to the top of the Scottish Order of Merit.
The dramatic finale was watched by Bradley Neil, hard on the heels of flying in from the Far East after missing the cut at the Volvo China Masters, and 2014 Ryder Cup winner Stephen Gallacher, whose son Jack finished in fourth spot after a count back in the under-18 event.
The tournament was held in honour of long-time servant to Scottish golf and R&A selector Barrie Douglas, who passed away last year after taking ill while captaining the Scottish boys at the European Team Championships in Spain.
Local player Gregor Graham, 14, also required a play-off hole and a birdie putt to capture the under-16 title against Nairn’s Calum Scott after they also finished tied on 216.
Another Blairgowrie competitor, Cormac Sharpe, was third on 219.
Gregor was cheered on by fellow Blairgowrie member and close family friend, Neil.
Gregor said: “It’s my best ever victory and doing it at my home club with the family supporting me makes it even better. Bradley has helped me with my game since I was six years old and it was great he was also there to see my win.”
Tour star Gallacher, who is looking forward to his own foundation’s event at Cardrona in June, welcomed a new world ranking points tournament on the Scottish junior calendar.
He said: “The more competitive tournaments like this with ranking points at stake, with national selectors looking on, the more chance the kids have to perform and gain experience.
“The organisation was very professional and the golf course is wonderful. I walked it three times watching Jack and caught a few holes towards the end of his Sunday round.
“It’s been a credit to Barrie and his memory. He was a lovely man and it was nice to support the tournament.”
Neil said: “I flew in from China and wanted to be part of the event because Barrie did so much for my career. It’s great to see the tournament being so successful.
“The feedback from players and parents has been fantastic and this is just the first year.
“It seems like every junior in Scotland wants to be here and it can only go from strength to strength.”
enicolson@thecourier.co.uk
“
The feedback from players and parents has been fantastic and this is just the first year. BRADLEY NEIL