Lyle’s birdie at 18th hole seals title for Merchiston

Merchiston Castle are UK National Junior Champions for the second successive season.

The schools’ competition was played at Radley Golf Club in the heart of Oxfordshire and involved the top 25 Junior golf schools in the U.K.

Leading the way for the Merchiston Golf Academy squad, coached by Alan Murdoch, was Scottish internationalist, Cameron Adam, who got off to a shaky start and found himself six over par through nine holes. But he steadied the ship through the turn, found his rhythm and finished with a fine 74.

Lyle Murdoch, Alan’s son, was playing behind and, as focused as ever, went through the front nine in a comfortable two over par.

Still playing well, he maintained his composed form until the 14th, then in a tough stretch through 17 he fell back to seven over par. Playing the last, and with two other schools already in the clubhouse tying Merchiston’s score, the youngster hit his approach shot to a foot from the pin and tapped in for a glorious birdie three.

Another 74 sealed an exciting one-shot victory for the Edinburgh school.

Merchiston Castle now head the Independent Schools Golf Association Junior rankings, with Hall Grove second, Millfield third and Loretto fourth.

In the individual rankings, Cameron is first and Lyle is fourth.

In girls’ golf, Louise Duncan (Largs Academy) has had a June to remember. Winner of the Scottish Schools’ Championship, she is in the Scotland girls’ team for the European Championships at St Laurence, Finland from 11-15 July.

Also included are Kirsty Brodie (Webster’s High School), Hazel Macgarvie (Marr College), Jasmine Macintosh (Hazlehead Academy), Molly Richmond (Strathaven High School) and Jillian Farrell, a Dumbarton Academy pupil, who is the daughter of Cardross professional Robert Farrell. She currently heads the Scottish Girls’ Order of Merit.