The status of St Andrews Links as a proving ground for the best golfers in the game was again demonstrated this year during the junior opens, with Sean Stevens of Deeside and Holly Aitchison of Bedfordshire Golf Club taking the glory.
Just a few days after Lorena Ochoa triumphed on the Old Course it was the turn of the young players to show their skills at the world’s most famous venue.
For Sean Stevens, beaten in last year’s semi finals, 2007 will go down as a breakthrough year after he defeated John Burnett of Waterlooville in Hampshire 2 and 1.
His father’s oil industry work brought 18-year-old California born Stevens to Aberdeen four years ago and he is about to start a college course at Santiago in his home state.
Sean was tenth in qualifying over the Eden Course after a 74, with the Forrester Medal for top return going to Chris Robb of Inchmarlo with a par score of 71. Stevens began the matchplay stage in fine style, beating Blair Pelling (Prestonfield) 4 and 2 and then Gregor Wright of Grangemouth 3 and 2, both games played on the Eden. The Old Course quarter final with Andrew McLachlan (Eastwood) went to the nineteenth hole before Stevens came through to face American James Byrd of Isleworth CC in the semi. Stevens won that encounter 2 and 1 before going on to take the Merchants’ Cup by the same margin the following day. Burnett’s victims had included local lad Iain Finlay of St Andrews GC, last year’s beaten finalist.
There was better fortune for his junior colleague Ewan Scott, like Iain a star performer in the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association. Ewan took the Murray Mitchell Trophy 1 up after a close struggle with Tom Obergan of Gerrards Cross. Both boys play off four.
Holly Aitchison came out on top 1 up in a high class final against defending champion Whitney Hillier of Joondalup in Australia, winning the coveted Golf Monthly Salver.
Holly, who is 20, has ambitions to turn professional and her win over the highly rated Hillier will have encouraged her further. Beaten by Whitney in last year’s semi, Holly got her revenge on the Old Course this year. Three up at the thirteenth, Holly was given a tough time on the inward stretch but held on to win on the last green.
Holly was third top qualifier on the Strathtyrum Course, three behind Holly’s 71. Her first round opponent on the Eden Course was Catherine Paterson (Gullane Ladies) whom she beat 9 and 8. Local golfer Rebecca Watson (Elie and Earlsferry Ladies) fell 3 and 1 on the Old Course in the last eight, before Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey) was overcome 6 and 5 in the semi.
The Girls’ Open Quaich, also played on the Old Course, was won by seven handicapper Lauren McCallum (McDonald) who beat Kirsty Simpson of Murrayfield 3 and 1. Kirsty plays off 24.
John Burnett (Waterlooville) and Sean Stevens (Deeside) contested the Merchants' Cup. Sean won the match by 2 and 1
Holly Aitchison (The Bedfordshire) and defending champion Whitney Hillier (Joondalup, Australia) played for the Golf Monthly Salver. Holly won 1 up.
Tom Obergan (Gerrards Cross) and Ewan Scott (St Andrews) reached the final of the Murray Mitchell Trophy. Ewan won 1 up.
Lauren MacCallum (Macdonald) and Kirsty Simpson (Murrayfield) played for the Girls' Quaich. Lauren won 3 and 1.
