Fife Golf Under 18s Strokeplay & Matchplay Championships

The Fife Golf Under 18s Championship got underway today at Fairmont St Andrews, with the Strokeplay qualifying round determining the top eight boys who will progress to the Matchplay stages over the next two days.

Conditions were far from ideal for the competitors. The day began misty and dreich, with showers blowing through intermittently across the course. Around halfway through the round, the sun eventually broke through, but it arrived alongside strong winds which created a different challenge for the players.

The blustery conditions made the Back 9 particularly difficult, with the wind pushing everything towards the sea and testing the juniors’ shot-making abilities and course management. It was a tough day for scoring and a stark contrast to the excellent weather enjoyed across Fife in recent weeks.

The top eight qualifiers have now secured their places in the Matchplay rounds, with action beginning tomorrow morning. The quarter-finals will be followed by the semi-finals in the afternoon, before the final takes place on Thursday 30th July.

On the girls’ side, three players entered the championship.  Unfortunately, two returned No Return scores during the qualifying round, leaving only one player with a completed scorecard. As a result, there will be no girls’ Matchplay competition this year.

A special thank you must go to the fantastic staff at Fairmont St Andrews, particularly the team in the professional shop, who were extremely helpful throughout the day, helping ensure the championship ran smoothly despite the challenging weather.

Congratulations to all those who qualified, and best of luck to the juniors competing in tomorrow’s Matchplay rounds as they battle for a place in Wednesday’s final. 🏌️‍♂️⛳