Scotland’s U16 Boys stormed to victory on the final day of their Quadrangular hosted at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Wales on Friday (17 April).

The eight player squad featured GIS player 14 year old Robbie Gauld (Mintlaw, Cruden Bay GC) and was coached by Neil Marr, professional at Meldrum House GC and SGU National Coach.

In his first taste of representative golf Robbie lost his foursomes and singles ties as Scotland narrowly missed out to Wales by just one point. However, they did recover to claim a 6 ½ – 5 ½ win over Ireland on the second day of action with Robbie off the mark in a 3 and 2 win in the foursomes.

With one win apiece to Scotland, Ireland and Wales while Holland had lost on each of the first two days, the home nations had everything to play for heading into the final day of the tournament.

Taking the lead 2 ½ - 1 ½ over the Dutch team after the morning foursomes, which included a half from Robbie’s match, the Scots moved into overdrive in the afternoon, dropping just half a point as they won seven of their eight matches in what was a magnificent team performance. Robbie capped off a great performance with a 3 and 1 singles win in the last tie of the match.

The players knew that every match was likely to count and so it proved as their 10-2 success proved sufficient to nudge them to overall victory ahead of Ireland by just half a point.

Neil Marr said: “It was an exceptional performance. The boys really went for it. “There was fantastic team spirit and fantastic play by every member.”

Marr praised Calum Stewart (Highland Institute of Sport) for his leadership as he captained the team in what is his third season at this level. “He led from the front, winning every singles match just as he has done every year in this event,” Marr continued.

He also picked out the team’s two youngest members for special mention. “At only 13 and 14-years-old respectively Ewan Scott (Tayside and Fife Institute of Sport) and Robbie Gauld put in phenomenal performances in an event that is designed to give them a taste of international experience ahead of full international selection,” said Marr.

(Report Courtesy of the SGU)