Young champion on top form
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A 15-year-old has become the youngest ever handicap champion in the ladies’ section at Huntly Golf Club.
Lucy Buckley, who plays off a handicap of 11, returned nett scores of 70, 63, 66 and 67 over the four rounds of the championship to secure the title, 11 strokes ahead of runner-up Anne Marshall.
Lucy was behind by one shot after the first round, but went ahead by four in round two, and went on to extend her lead in successive rounds.
Lucy is the third generation of her family to play golf, and was introduced to the game by her dad, Trevor, whom she now regularly beats!
Lessons through the Paul Lawrie Foundation from Andrew Locke in Aberdeen helped Lucy improve her technique, and her game has gone from strength to strength.
She is out on the golf course at least five times a week, either with her dad or pal Callum Bremner.
Lucy’s success was celebrated by other members of the ladies’ section, who are delighted to see a young player coming through.
Lucy said: "I have always had great encouragement from the ladies, and they were really pleased when I won."
Last week, Lucy was one of a team of 40 working from 3.30am daily to get the Castle Stuart course in perfect condition for the Scottish Open.
The team started work on the Monday raking bunkers and tidying the course, and once play got underway had more duties, but also had the opportunity to watch top-class players in action.
At the end of the competition, the team were all photographed with the champion, Alex Noren. During the competition, Lucy also had her photograph taken with Paul McGinley, and got the autographs of several others.
The opportunity was a dream come true for Lucy, who is looking at a career either as a greenkeeper or a golf coach.
