Rising star Grace Crawford follows in Catriona Matthew's footsteps at North Berwick

Teenager Grace Crawford is shaping up to follow in Catriona Matthew's footsteps by using her North Berwick roots to become a golfing sensation.
North Berwick's Grace Crawford won the girls' title in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at Longniddry after a closing six-under-par 67North Berwick's Grace Crawford won the girls' title in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at Longniddry after a closing six-under-par 67
North Berwick's Grace Crawford won the girls' title in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at Longniddry after a closing six-under-par 67

Even earlier than major winner and Solheim Cup captain Matthew when she was an amateur, the 13-year-old is racking up some impressive victories.

She carded a course-record 65 at Winterfield in winning the East Lothian Ladies' County Golf Association Autumn Meeting at the Dunbar venue.

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Using a putter borrowed from her brother, Crawford then won the East of Scotland Women's Championship with a 73 on the Jubilee Course at St Andrews.

Grace Crawford with the East of Scotland Ladies Championship trophy after her win over the Jubilee Course at St AndrewsGrace Crawford with the East of Scotland Ladies Championship trophy after her win over the Jubilee Course at St Andrews
Grace Crawford with the East of Scotland Ladies Championship trophy after her win over the Jubilee Course at St Andrews

With four birdies and 12 pars in her round, she triumphed by two shots in that event from fellow East Lothian player and former Scottish Women's champion Clara Young.

Maintaining her great run of form, Crawford landed another notable success this week in the inaugural ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at Longniddry.

After opening rounds of 72-78, she trailed by two shots before closing with a brilliant six-under-par 67 for a two-under total to claim a seven-shot victory at the East Lothian course.

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Crawford, an ambassador for the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, carded an eagle and six birdies - she was inches away from a hole-in-one at the 13th - in her final flourish.

Ruben Lindsay, an Ayr Belleisle member who is also a Stephen Gallacher Foundation ambassador, won the boys' event in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at LongniddryRuben Lindsay, an Ayr Belleisle member who is also a Stephen Gallacher Foundation ambassador, won the boys' event in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at Longniddry
Ruben Lindsay, an Ayr Belleisle member who is also a Stephen Gallacher Foundation ambassador, won the boys' event in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open at Longniddry

"I'm on a wee spree at the moment," said the North Berwick member. "It was good to get my first course record at Winterfield and I'm also delighted with my two wins over the past few days.

"After a tough year with events being cancelled, it's been a busy month and I've got two more to come - a Junior Tour event at Blairgowrie then a Stephen Gallacher Foundation one at The Renaissance Club."

Crawford's successes this season have come on the back of her winning the Scottish Girls' Under-14 Open in a play-off at Elgin last summer.

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"I've still got a lot to learn in the game, but hopefully I will be out there playing for a good few years to come," she said. "I'm just in second year at North Berwick High School after moving there from Loretto.

"I'm fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of good people. Catriona Matthew is a great mentor while I've also played a lot with Clara Young and being around older and more experienced players definitely helps."

The boys' event in the ProDreamUSA UK Junior Open also fell to a rising Scottish star as Ruben Lindsay produced another polished performance.

The Ayr Belleisle player, who also flies the flag for the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, carded rounds of 70-66-66 for a two-under total and a two-shot victory over Cormac Sharpe (Blairgowrie).

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Meanwhile, the rescheduled Lothians Boys' Championship at Kingsknowe saw Archie Finnie and Jake Johnston join Cameron Adam in showing the current strength of the junior section at Royal Burgess.

Finnie and Johnston both signed for a gross 70, with the former claiming victory by virtue of a better inward half but Johnston claiming compensation as he landed the under-16 title.Adam won the Faldo Series North of England Championship at St Anne's Old Links at the end of August.

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