South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan presented the Tom Lehman Golf Trophies at the one day Junior Golf Championship, which is believed to be the largest one day Junior Golf Championship in the world. The competition was played over South Ayrshire Council’s popular Lochgreen, Darley and Fullarton golf courses.

The Provost presented claret jugs to winner Euan Brown of Kilmarnock Barassie who had a gross score of 72 over Troon Darley and to Megan Briggs of Kilmacolm who had a gross score of 73 over Troon Lochgreen.

Megan, who previously won the girls scratch event in 2002 and 2004 over Lochgreen, was very pleased with her achievement and in a victory speech at the presentation, thanked the organisers on behalf of all the players for another successful event over a well presented course.

Current US Ryder Cup Captain and British Open winner in 1996, Tom Lehman was so impressed with golfing facilities in Troon when he played in the Open at Troon in the 1997 that he donated trophies to be played for annually in Troon by Juniors. He gave a professional fee of £500 to the Council to be used to promote the development of junior golf in the Troon area. The Council used the gift to purchase two silver replica claret jugs, one for the best boy and one for the best girl and in 1998 the first Junior Open for the Tom Lehman Trophies took part.

The Junior Open, an Order of Merit event for Ayrshire boys for the last two years, is firmly established as one of the top events for young golfers in the United Kingdom. Now in its ninth year, the competition attracts more entrants each year with over 450 entrants across all handicap and pre-handicap categories of girls and boys.

After presenting the prizes Provost Winifred Sloan said: ”This is the ninth anniversary of this hugely successful one day junior golf tournament. Since the event was first held in 1998 over 4,000 junior golfers have played in the competition. The Junior Golf Open attracts entrants from all over the United Kingdom, who come to play on South Ayrshire Council’s fine golf courses.

“I am a keen golfer, and it always gives me great pleasure to see junior players out on the course practicing or taking part in golfing events. Who knows, maybe one of the young people who played in the competition will go on to be an international golfing star of the future.

“Importantly I would like to thank the members of the Council’s Golf and Fine Turf Team who have done a magnificent job looking after everyone and organising the event. Many of the competitors have commented that all three of the courses are in superb condition.”

Plans are already being made for the special 10th anniversary tournament that will be held on Tuesday 7 August 2006.

Provost Winifred Sloan is pictured after the Troon Junior Golf Open with Competition Winners.

The list of winners is as follows:

August 2006