TOMORROW'S STARS LOOK TO BECOME JUNIOR MASTERS - 4th Oct 2004

With only a decade to go until the Ryder Cup is played at Gleneagles, Scotland's golfing stars of the future will tee off at the Perthshire resort in the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters Grand Final this week (Sunday 10 October).

Fifty boys and thirty girls have overcome the challenge of over 2,500 other hopefuls from the length and breadth of the country to win their place in the Grand Final. For many of the finalists, this will be their first taste of national competition.

"The Bank of Scotland Junior Masters has established itself as one of the most popular golf events in the calendar," said Scottish Golf Union Chief Executive Hamish Grey.

"It is the biggest junior tournament in Scotland and is unique because it allows boys and girls of various ages and abilities to play alongside one another in the same event."

Ray Macfarlane, Bank of Scotland's Head of Community Investment, added: "Bank of Scotland is committed to supporting the promotion and development of sport in Scotland.

"We are delighted that our partnership with the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association is helping to develop junior golf across Scotland."

Since the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters inception in 1998, the partnership between Scottish Golf Union and Bank of Scotland, with assistance from the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, has established the event as the biggest national under-16 handicap championship in Scotland, with participant numbers growing by nearly 1000 since it's inauguration.

Over the last few months more than 2500 young players, drawn from clubs throughout Scotland, have competed for the coveted title.

The tournament format places youngsters in Club Qualifiers and Regional Finals throughout the summer, with the top eighty juniors from all over Scotland then progressing to the national Grand Final.

The format for the championship final will see all competitors playing one round of stroke play, under the stableford points scoring system.

Winners of the Bank of Scotland Junior Masters will receive expert coaching tips from Scotland's National Coaches. In addition this year, the Bank of Scotland will make a donation to the junior section of the leading players' golf clubs.

Related Links

• http://www.scottishgolfunion.org

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