FirstPoint USA News
July 15, 2009
Grant Forrest from Craigielaw claimed the First Point USA Scottish U16’s Stroke Play Championship hosted at Largs this afternoon.
After taking the narrowest of leads into the third and final round today on the Ayrshire course, the national U16 squad member held his nerve to win his first national title, and said afterwards that he was ‘absolutely delighted’.
The 16-year-old Lothians player added a level par 70 to his earlier rounds of 70 and 69 for a three round total of 209 (1 under) to finish two shots ahead of fellow SGU Academy player Fraser Thain from West Linton.
Commencing his final outing with a one shot margin, Forrest got off to a good start with a brace of birdies at the 2nd and 3rd hole, “I was pretty nervous at the start after finishing yesterday’s round as the leader and I was certainly feeling the pressure today. My early birdies helped settle me down and I just tried to play my own game.“
Two further birdies, one at the 6th and his last at the par five 12th helped to alleviate his four bogeys and secured the Stewart’s Melville College student his biggest ever individual win.
Forrest added, “I have had a really good season so far, being part of the winning U16 Quadrangular side earlier this year was great but this is definitely the highlight for me and I have waited a while for this.”
Selected to represent Scotland at the European Masters later this month, Forrest concluded, “Being in the SGU national squad and Academy has really helped my golf this last year and I have dropped 2 maybe 3 shots from my handicap, so the support has really helped me improve and I hope this continues.”
15 year old Fraser Thain carded a third round one over par 71 to make it a Lothians 1 – 2 finish. Thain, who is coached by Colin Brooks said, “I played steady golf and was pleased to recover from a bad double bogey at 15th with a birdie three at the next which helped my score today. However it wasn’t quite enough, but fair play to Grant as he has played consistently throughout the year and really deserved this win.”
Eamon Bradley from Mount Ellen claimed the bronze medal with a three round aggregate of 212, one shot ahead of England’s Ben Franklin and 13 year old Ewan Scott from St Andrews who finished tied for 4th place.
Current Scottish U14 Stroke Play Champion Nick Ward from Redbourn who was just one shot off the lead last night slipped off the pace today to finish in 6th place, whilst former U14 Champion Harry Whittle (Woburn) took a share of 7th place tied with the lowest handicapper in the field, Tanapol Vattanapisit from Thailand.
Brendan McKenna, Sports Consultant with event sponsors First Point USA said after the presentations, “Grant Forrest was a very worthy winner today and there was great scoring from a number of contenders for the title on a course which was in fantastic condition. I would like to pay tribute to the players which demonstrated a great competitive spirit in this 54 hole tournament and as sponsors we are delighted to be associated with the SGU and this championship.”