Falkirk flag competition

Forty-five children from across the Forth Valley took part in the Annual Callendar Park junior golf tournament, supported by clubgolf.

This year’s tournament adopted a flag format as part of a series of clubgolf junior flag competitions taking place in Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Falkirk and West Lothian throughout 2008, all sponsored by Auchterlonies Golf Shop in Stirling. The flag format involves participants playing 45 shots around the course and marking their ball’s final location with a flag: the winner is the player who manages furthest around the course.

Organisers, Falkirk Council Sports Development, congratulated all participants for their commitment and the high standard of golf.

“It was pleasing to see a high number of girls entering the tournament this year,” said Alistair Mitchell at Falkirk Council Sports Development.

“Volunteers from local golf clubs and Falkirk Round Table were also thanked for their invaluable support – events such as this rely on the assistance and expertise that volunteers can provide.”

The Stage 1 Year 1 flag category produced a close competition with Daniel Mackie and Rhona Cobb, playing partners for their round, both reaching the 9th green. Daniel’s final shot took his ball closer to the hole than Rhona’s and was awarded 1st place.

Several players made it onto the 8th hole but Drew Meikle finished clear of them all to finish in 3rd place. In the closest to the pin competition, Rachel Matthews got closer than all other competitors to claim the prize. In the Stage 1 Year 2 category fantastic rounds by Joshua Hatcher and Euan English saw them complete the course within their 45-shot allowance.

Joshua was awarded the winner’s prize by completing the course in only 40 shots compared to Euan’s 43. Ross Gemmell took third place by reaching the 9th green on his 45th shot. Calum Erskine won the closest to the pin in this category. The Stage 2 category was an incredibly close competition with the winner and runner-up being separated by a single shot.

Stephen Michael completed the course in 41 shots, but it was not enough to beat Daniel Roe who pipped Stephen with a round of 40. Neal Ramsay was a clear 3rd place, being the only other player to complete the course within 45 shots. In the closest to the pin competition, Fraser Laird produced 2 great shots to position the pin in an unbeatable position.

The handicap category included many participants who have progressed from the clubgolf programme as well as junior members at local golf clubs. Once handicaps had been taken into account Jamie Hunter was a clear winner. James Ronald and Euan Carlow were tied after their round and went to a 3-hole playoff. Euan produced an excellent tee shot to beat James into the runner-up spot.

Euan was also the winner of the closest to the pin competition in this category. Sports Development was encouraged by the healthy numbers of competitors taking part in the tournament and hope that numbers increase in future years.

Any child aged 8-14 years who is interested in accessing fun and safe junior golf coaching during the summer holidays and term-time can contact Alistair Mitchell at Falkirk Council Sports Development on 01324 503732 or sports.development@falkirk.gov.uk