A 15-year-old has equalled the course record at Kemnay Golf Club.
Fraser Laird, the club’s 2020 junior champion, equalled the white tee course record of six-under 65 during Sunday’s Charity Medal Qualifier.
He shares the record with Ritchie Manson, who achieved the same score on August 27 2019 during a Tuesday Medal.
Laird’s round included six birdies and 12 pars. He went out in 34, thanks to birdies at 2 and 9, and made gains at holes 10, 11, 15 and 16, taking only 31 strokes on the back nine.
Laird said: “After the birdie on 11, I realised I was on a good score, but I just tried to concentrate on hitting fairways and greens in regulation, taking one hole at a time and not worrying too much about the overall score.
“I managed to hole a good 8ft putt on the 18th to equal the course record.
“But I was unaware of the course record and the clubhouse wasn’t open on completing the round ,therefore it wasn’t until receiving an email from the Kemnay Golf Club committee on Monday that I was aware of my achievement.
“Initially I was just delighted to shoot my best competitive round and get a decent cut to my handicap, so it was a bonus to learn I had equalled the course record.”
The fourth-year Alford Academy pupil had his handicap cut to 0.8 following his round of 65, having started the year with a handicap of four.
He added: “I’ve been playing golf almost from the time I was able to walk.
“Initially with plastic clubs in the back garden, but by the age of five I had junior clubs and would play with my Dad on the golf course and just drop a ball about 100 yards from the green rather than playing the full course.
“I then started competing in the Paul Lawrie Foundation events at under-10 and under-12 age groups and continue to get support from the Foundation, which includes coaching from Spencer Henderson.
“I don’t have any major tournaments coming up between now and the end of the season as most of the local and national competitions were cancelled this year. The aim is to try and further reduce my handicap so I’m well positioned for next year to meet qualifying criteria, which will ensure I can compete in the national competitions.”
