Tough start for young golfers

May 22 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

IT was a nailbiting day for the Renfrewshire golf management team of Jim Herald and Kenny Morrison as their boys met a strong side from Dunbartonshire in the first Junior Inter County Team match of the season.

Among their opponents was Dullater’s Gary Meechan, who made the last 16 at the Scottish Boys Championships in recent weeks.

The strong wind and Caldwell Golf Club’s tough layout made it a difficult test.

However, the boys – some as young as 14 years old – played high-quality golf which was appreciated by the spectators.

Youngsters Fraser Lauder and David Slack were first and second out and played great golf but both were narrowly beaten – David by the last putt on the last green.

The next result in was the defeat of Josh Bogle and the team was faced with winning the remaining games to avoid defeat.

The tide turned when Andrew McLachlan – last year’s Scottish Junior Champion of Champions – recorded an emphatic victory over Gary Meechan.

And Stewart Watt, the 15-year-old from Old Ranfurly, raised hopes of a team victory with a three and two win.

Stewart impressed all afternoon and the length of his drives drew admiring gasps from the spectators.

Michael McLennan of Greenock Whinhill and Gavin Hay of Whitecraigs both won their matches leaving Philip Gordon of Paisley as the last player out on the course and the pressure on him to get, at least, a half to ensure a winning start to the season.

Philip was having a tough game against David Gallagher with never more than one hole in it.

He was one up playing the 17th but missed the fairway with his second at the testing par five.

But a great recovery shot to 20 feet was enough to half the hole and to ensure that Renfrewshire took full points.