Young stars shine on the Junior Road to Spey Valley

Juniors across the north of Scotland were given the chance to showcase their skills in front of the European Challenge Tour’s finest at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts today.

The Challenge Tour, in partnership with Scottish Golf and Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club, invited all golfers to enter eight different qualifying competitions to win a spot in today’s final which took place on the nine-hole Academy Course.

Today’s special event celebrated the tenth anniversary of the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge being hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, while also supporting Visit Scotland’s ‘Year of the Young People’.

Finalists who reached the end of the Junior Road to Spey Valley took part in a nine-hole contest with teams comprising of an adult and three juniors, including a minimum of one female and one junior of primary school age per team – with both the Paul Lawrie Foundation and the Stephen Gallacher Foundation represented.

After playing nine holes, all competitors took part in a Skills Challenge before rising star Grant Forrest and former Ryder Cup player winner Oliver Wilson ran a golf clinic to help take their game to the next level.

Willie MacKay, Club Development Officer for Scottish Golf, said: “Today’s final could not have gone better. The excitement at the eight venues built up to the climax and the testing Dalaber Course was demanding for the adults and, with well-placed forward tee areas, also for the younger children.

“All involved demonstrated their skills and the love of golf that they learn at their home club through their ClubGolf coaching programme.”