Strathmore’s Kirsty Brodie savoured a glorious title double and Cameron McAndrew from Linlithgow proved just champion as the Highland Spring Junior Masters Grand Final was played out on Sunday.
On a glorious autumn day at Gleneagles – host venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup – the nation’s talented young golfers enjoyed a round to savour in the final showpiece.
Played over the delightful Queen’s Course, 79 players teed up in Scotland’s largest national event for young golfers – supported by ClubGolf, the national junior programme, and the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association.
After an hour delay due to the frost in Perthshire, some fine golf was played with a familiar face coming out on top in the girls’ event.
Brodie achieved back-to-back victories in the competition thanks to a superb total of 39 stableford points off her 10 handicap. The 12-year-old from the nearby Strathmore club has been making a name for herself having also won the Ladies Club Championship at her club this year.
Twelve months ago it was almost a Brodie family double in the tournament, with Kirsty’s brother Michael just pushed into the runners-up spot.
“I loved the atmosphere of Gleneagles and enjoyed the round thoroughly,” Kirsty said. “I’m thrilled with back-to-back wins.”Three of the girls were tied on 36 points, with Julia Smith (Murrayfield) claiming the runners-up spot, Eva O’Connor (Bothwell Castle) third and Andrea Walker (Falkirk) fourth.
The winner of the boys’ event was Linlithgow’s McAndrew, aged 15. Thanks to a fine score of 42 points off his 12 handicap, Cameron triumphed by two points from Samuel Yule (Ballater) and Michael Baber from Hopeman.
Developed through the ClubGolf programme since he was seven or eight years old, McAndrew’s triumph completes a brilliant year given he started the season off a 19 handicap.
“I loved the greens on The Queen's,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to win and I hope to pursue a career in golf.”