Aberdeen's Jack Scott has not let a difficult winter hinder his preparations for a final, successful season in the junior ranks.

The 17 year old Grampian Institute of Sport supported athlete started the domestic calendar last weekend by winning the opening SGU Junior Tour event at Monifieth.

"I've been doing indoor technical work this winter and it's been quite difficult because I haven't been able to get outside and see the results," said Scott, who posted a one-under par aggregate of 141 to finish two shots clear of a group of five players.

"But I felt good last week, I felt comfortable. I've been working on my putting with my coach, Neil Marr We've been working indoors on the mats and have done a few technical changes on my stroke.

"But it all seems to be paying off. I putted well and that was what made the difference."

Scott has been supported by Grampian Institute of Sport, part of sportscotland's institute regional network, for three years. The institute focuses on preparing Scotland's best athletes to perform on the world stage by providing high performance expertise to sport and athletes in Scotland.

"This winter I spent a lot of time in the gym with the institute and the Strength & Conditioning has made a big difference," he said. "I get profiled every few months which identifies my weaknesses, and then I work on them in the gym.

"It's tied in with Neil and myself so it's not just a case of finding my weaknesses, it's finding my weaknesses specific to my swing which helps me get into the positions Neil wants me to get into.

"The profile by Karen Young showed up tightness in my back and loosening that off helps me get into a more consistent position in my swing. She set up the exercises for me to do to target my back specifically, my shoulders and back and I work on them in the gym with Bryan Schooling."

Scott has been a part of Neil Marr's Scottish Golf National Academy for four years. A severe winter could have caused havoc with his training plans but last weekend's result shows the work they did has helped Scott emerge as a better competitor.

"We have pretty much had three months of snow cover," said Neil. "The Huxley that was funded by the SGU and the R&A has been very good although it obviously doesn't get you completely ready for competitive golf on grass.

"I'm really pleased for Jack because he was struggling a little bit with his short game after the winter. But for the last month or so we have worked really hard on it which has paid dividends."

With the Scottish Boys Championships, won last year by Aberdonian David Law, due to be held at West Kilbride next week, confidence gained from winning season's opener can only help.

"Obviously it shows the work I put in over the winter has paid off and it's a good starting block for the season," said Scott.

"Now I can really look forward to the Scottish Boys. The furthest I've been was the last 16 at Southerness and I'd love to improve on that.

"This year I'd like to target the British Boys as an individual event. That's the last event of the year and a big one. As a team event I'd love to win the Home Internationals with the rest of the guys."

Added Marr: "Winning the first event of the season is great for confidence. Jack played well last year and got into the home nations team but now he has won that it pushes him to the fore for European boys which he didn't play in last year.

"At the Scottish Boys event next week there is a group of players that you think would push to the fore and he's certainly one of them."

Article and Photo Rob Eyton-Jones