Juniors bid to reign in Spain at inter-club championship

The Murrayfield team heading to Spain for the Home Nations Inter-Club Championship. Uphall, below

Murrayfied qualified for the event at Antequera Golf Club in Andalucia by winning the Scottish final last year, when Uphall were runners-up. Representing Murrafield in an event starting on Monday are Andrew Ni, Eric Mcintosh, Cammy Whyte, Bobby Gibson, Robb Hawthorn, Patrick Lawrence, Stuart Thurlow and Sam Goldsmith.

“The guys have been really excited and looking forward to this event since they won in October,” said head pro Jonnie Cliff. “We have been preparing over the winter with plenty of games of golf, but we know the other teams there have some great players, so the competition will be really tough.”

The Capital club has a thriving junior section with 250 under 18s, including 75 “mini-juniors” aged between 7-11.

Head teaching pro Duncan Anderson added: “A contact within the club secured team kit sponsorship from Aberdeen Asset Management and a number of funding-raising events have been taking place, such as the boys doing bag-packing at supermarkets.”

Heading out to represent Uphall, whose kit is being sponsored by law firm Aberdein Considine, are Campbell Anthony, Craig Tibbetts, Tommy Gheel, Jack Cummings, Liam Thomson, Owen Abu-Baker, Euan Valentine, Scott McKinnon and Jordan Stein.

“This is a fantastic achievement on all fronts for the club,” said junior convener Peter MacMillan. “It’s great to see our investment in the youngsters coming through in this way.”

In two years the number of juniors at the West Lothian club has risen from 39 to 118, coached by professional Gordon Law and supervised by Macmillan along with Tom Flannigan.

Up against the two Scottish clubs in an event that will see highlights shown on Sky Sports at a later date are Hallamshire and Burhill (England); Kilkenny and Tandragee (Ireland); The Vale of Glamorgan and Green Meadow (Wales).