Press Release
1 August 2000

JUNIOR LADIES LEAD THE WAY

The Links Trust's summer golf tournaments swung into action this week with the St Andrews Boys' Open and Junior Ladies getting off to a good start on Monday despite the showery weather. Played over the Eden and the Old Courses both events attracted large numbers of entrants with the Junior Ladies boasting a full field for the first time in its 10 year history.

The 60-strong field in the Junior Ladies included defending champion Linzi Morton, who is a member of this year's Scottish European under 21 team as are fellow competitors, Pam Mackay and Louise Kenney. The current Scottish Universities Champion, Elaine Cuthill, was competing along with three Home Internationalists - Lyndsey Devenish, Pamela Feggans and Heather Macrae. Local interest came from three St Regulus members, Lauren McArthur, Judith de Vries and Kathryn McCartney. Also taking part was 11-year-old Krystle Caithness from Crail Golfing Society, who in the same event last year became the youngest girl to play the Old Course.

"All in all it is very strong field and I am delighted to have reached the maximum number of competitors in this year's event," said Susan Simpson from the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association which was running the event for the second year. "Almost half the field is single figure players and it is also encouraging to see girls as young as 11, 12 and 13 taking part."

Competition in the St Andrews Boys Open was fierce this year as the 150-strong field included eight players off 2, one off 1 and one scratch golfer. Names to watch included Stephen Buckley, the current Scottish Boys Champion and George Murray and Ramsay Wilson who were both in last year's under-16s squad which played against the North of England. Two St Andrews Club members competed - Scott Finlay (handicap 5) and Steven Latimer (handicap 8). The one international contender was Jean-Victor Courjon from France.

The Eden and Strathtyrum Tournaments start next week with qualifying rounds on the Eden and New Courses on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 August. The finals take place on the Eden on Friday 11 August.

Entries into the Eden Tournament include defending champion, 19-year-old Lyall Rowan (1), a member at St Andrews and Scotscraig and Gus Lamond (scratch) from Haggs Castle GC and winner in 1994 and 1995. Of the 240 competitors, eight are from St Andrews while there are four international entrants - two from Sweden, one from South Africa and one from the USA.

The Strathtyrum Tournament sees Scottish Ladies European Junior Team Captain, Fiona Norris from Turnberry and the sister of top golfer, Mhairi McKay, leading the field. St Andrews is represented by two St Regulus members, Lauren McArthur and Judith de Vries.

Ends