Youngsters to tee-off at the Junior Masters
Event for Barrie to welcome more than 80 golfers
More than 80 up and coming young golfers are looking forward to the inaugural “Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters” at Blairgowrie Golf Club.
The three-day competition from April 27-29 is being sponsored by Tayside law firm Blackadders, with a string of other companies backing a tournament being held in memory of the well-known Perth man who took ill and died last year while captaining Scotland at the European Boys’ Team Championships in Spain. He was 69.
The tournament has been organised by The Barrie Douglas Foundation, established in memory of the long-time Great Britain and Ireland selector for the R&A who also helped progress the careers of youngsters competing at U16 and U18 level for Scotland.
His widow, Tish, joined daughters Susan Soutar and Jennifer Davidson, and Douglas Sneddon, senior partner with Blackadders, for the official launch of the tournament at Blairgowrie Golf Club, where long-time member Barrie was a past champion.
Club head professional Charles Dernie, a former Ryder Cup referee, has agreed to act as chief referee for
Jennifer Davidson, Tish Douglas, Douglas Sneddon of sponsors Blackadders, Susan Soutar and Blairgowrie head professional Charles Dernie at the launch of The Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters an event which carries World Amateur initiatives designed to nurture young Golf Ranking points and will become a golfing talent and got on so well with fixture on the Scottish golfing calendar. the boys in his teams and their parents.
“Barrie loved his golf and did all “The support the Foundation has he could to give a helping hand to received in recent months from the promising youngsters keen to make business community and volunteers their mark in the sport,” said Tish. has been quite remarkable.”
“He would be surprised but ever so Mr Sneddon said: “Blackadders is proud to see a Foundation and this delighted to be associated with this Junior Masters created in his memory. Junior Masters event. It is wonderful Barrie was always supportive of any to see 85 youngsters signing-up for the first tournament in Barrie’s memory and I’m sure it will go from strength to strength.
“Barrie was involved with the county golf set-up in Perth and Kinross for more than 50 years and was hugely influential.
“His father, Jimmy, was county president when I began golfing and Barrie inherited his passion for the game.
“It’s entirely fitting that this tournament should be held at Blairgowrie, where Barrie was a longtime member.”
Scottish Golf national boys coach Spencer Henderson welcomed the backing from Blackadders and key support sponsors Carbon Financial Partners, GS Brown Construction, A&J Stephen, The Blue Group, T’Go, GS Group, McLeod Glaziers, Dental Technique, Club 300, Barclays Bank, Decorum Decor and the Gibson family.
“The aim of the Foundation is to raise money for funds which will support junior golf in Scotland in memory of Barrie, who was a passionate champion of golf in Scotland and beyond.
“The inaugural Junior Masters for U16 and U18 boys over the Lansdowne championship course is family orientated with a Saturday hot dog and fun golf night all part of the programme.”