FirstPoint USA News
Mark Books Scottish Boys Title
July 10, 2008
Scotland international Mark Bookless is the new firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Stroke Play champion after clinching victory in an enthralling final round at a sun-kissed Lansdowne course in Blairgowrie.
The 18-year-old from Sandyhills Golf Club in Glasgow led the championship from start to finish, closing with an excellent two-under par round of 70 to edge out runner-up Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) by a single shot on a nail-biting final hole. Pre-tournament favourite, Michael Stewart – the reigning national match play champion – had to settle for third place.
Bookless, a plus-one handicapper coached by former European Tour player Adam Hunter, began the week with a superb five-under par 67 and stretched his lead with a second round 70 to sit at seven under par for the tournament. The Scotland boys cap saw his lead cut to one shot after a third round 75, but held his nerve superbly in the finishing stretch to hold off Binning.
A thrilled Bookless said:
“I’m delighted to win such a prestigious event. It’s been a long, tough week and there was added pressure having led wire-to-wire so I’m proud to have held on with some great players on the leaderboard.”
“After reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Boys Championship, my season’s not really taken off so hopefully this win will be a launchpad for me. I’ll take a lot of confidence from putting together four good rounds in tough conditions among a high quality field.” he added.
Binning put Bookless under immense pressure on the back nine of the final round to post a five-under par aggregate of 283 after his excellent 69, but the Sandyhills golfer made a great up and down for par at the last to take the title.
Michael Stewart, who was runner-up in the St Andrews Links Trophy earlier this summer, looked to be in a great position after three rounds, but his challenge faded on the closing nine after a series of missed putts and dropped shots.
Bookless, Binning and Stewart will all be hoping their good form continues when they represent Scotland in the Boys Home Internationals at Royal County Down in Ireland (5 – 7 August).
Andrew Kean, Managing Director of firstpointusa.com, was delighted with his company’s sponsorship of the event:
“We’ve had a great week here at Blairgowrie and tremendous credit goes to the players for putting on such a fantastic show on the golf course. The Lansdowne provided a fitting setting for such a high profile championship and Mark has proved to be a very worthy winner.”
Kean added:
“There’s some great talent coming through in Scotland just now and firstpointusa.com are delighted to support junior golf with this sponsorship, whilst helping these young players with the development of their careers over the coming years.”
To see the final leaderboard from the 2008 firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Championship, click here.
Read all news articles
July 10, 2008
Scotland international Mark Bookless is the new firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Stroke Play champion after clinching victory in an enthralling final round at a sun-kissed Lansdowne course in Blairgowrie.
The 18-year-old from Sandyhills Golf Club in Glasgow led the championship from start to finish, closing with an excellent two-under par round of 70 to edge out runner-up Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) by a single shot on a nail-biting final hole. Pre-tournament favourite, Michael Stewart – the reigning national match play champion – had to settle for third place.
Bookless, a plus-one handicapper coached by former European Tour player Adam Hunter, began the week with a superb five-under par 67 and stretched his lead with a second round 70 to sit at seven under par for the tournament. The Scotland boys cap saw his lead cut to one shot after a third round 75, but held his nerve superbly in the finishing stretch to hold off Binning.
A thrilled Bookless said:
“I’m delighted to win such a prestigious event. It’s been a long, tough week and there was added pressure having led wire-to-wire so I’m proud to have held on with some great players on the leaderboard.”
“After reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Boys Championship, my season’s not really taken off so hopefully this win will be a launchpad for me. I’ll take a lot of confidence from putting together four good rounds in tough conditions among a high quality field.” he added.
Binning put Bookless under immense pressure on the back nine of the final round to post a five-under par aggregate of 283 after his excellent 69, but the Sandyhills golfer made a great up and down for par at the last to take the title.
Michael Stewart, who was runner-up in the St Andrews Links Trophy earlier this summer, looked to be in a great position after three rounds, but his challenge faded on the closing nine after a series of missed putts and dropped shots.
Bookless, Binning and Stewart will all be hoping their good form continues when they represent Scotland in the Boys Home Internationals at Royal County Down in Ireland (5 – 7 August).
Andrew Kean, Managing Director of firstpointusa.com, was delighted with his company’s sponsorship of the event:
“We’ve had a great week here at Blairgowrie and tremendous credit goes to the players for putting on such a fantastic show on the golf course. The Lansdowne provided a fitting setting for such a high profile championship and Mark has proved to be a very worthy winner.”
Kean added:
“There’s some great talent coming through in Scotland just now and firstpointusa.com are delighted to support junior golf with this sponsorship, whilst helping these young players with the development of their careers over the coming years.”
To see the final leaderboard from the 2008 firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Championship, click here.
Read all news articles