SCOTTISH BOYS OPEN STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire connections with two medallists

There was a strong Ayrshire connection in the medal places at the Scottish Boys open Strokeplay Championship, played at Lanark GC from 19 – 21 July, with two of the three medallists being members of Ayrshire clubs.

Graeme Greer

In the championship, reduced to 54 holes due to one day being cancelled due to thunder & lightning, Graeme Greer (Carluke), who is also a member of Prestwick St Nicholas GC, was third with a one over par total of 211.

Ben Ferguson

India’s Rayhan Thomas from Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club took the title at the second play-off hole after finishing tied at the top on five under with Australia’s Ben Ferguson. Ferguson, playing out of The Vines, Western Australia, is also a member of Turnberry GC, and has represented the club in Ayrshire events during his extended summer visit this year.

Leading Scores in the Scottish Boys Open Strokeplay were :-

205 (-5) - RAYHAN THOMAS (Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club) 69/66/70, BEN FERGUSON (The Vines WA) 66/70/69 – Thomas won the play off at the second extra hole

211 (+1) – GRAEME GREER (Carluke) – 71/70/70

212 (+2) – MATTHEW MCCULLOCH (Portpatrick Dunskey) 72/71/69, SAM LOCKE (Banchory) 69/71/72

Following completion of the championship, both Graeme Greer and Ben Ferguson, who is eligible through his Scottish mother and father, were named in the Scotland Boys team who will defend the Boys’ Home Internationals at Ballyliffin in Ireland from 2^nd to 4^th August 2016

The full Scotland Boys’ team is :-

·         Ben Ferguson  (The Vines, 18)

·         Rory Franssen (Inverness, 17)

·         Graeme Greer (Carluke, 17)

·         Darren Howie (Peebles, 16)

·         Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill, 16)

·         Michael Lawrie (Deeside, 17)

·         Sam Locke (Banchory, 17)

·         Mathew McCulloch (Portpatrick, 18)

·         Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield, 17)

·         Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly, 16)

·         Marc Watt (Inverallochy, 16)