Troon Welbeck’s Michael Stewart is Scottish amateur champion

Aug 6 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Welbeck wonder Michael Stewart set his sights on Europe after being crowned Scottish amateur champion.

And this week, he headed to Finland for the European Individual Championship.

Stewart, 20, beat his close friend and foursomes partner Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 3&2 in a superb final at Gullane's No 1 course.

His win comes only two years after winning the Scottish Boys' Championship at Southerness and underlines his potential as one of the country’s brightest golfing talents.

Stewart admitted: “It’s a very special moment for me to win. It’s a fantastic achievement and extra special to have my dad on the bag and family and friends through from Troon.

"I worked hard over the last few weeks to be able to shape the ball both ways, which you need to do here and it’s paid off. It’ll be a quiet celebration back at my home club before I head off to Finland.”

With the pressure on and a large crowd circling the green, Stewart hit the 'tee shot of his life' for the winning birdie at the 33rd hole. He became the first player since Steven O’Hara in 2000 to win the national men’s championship two years after collecting the boys.

Stewart, who was third seed, beat Stephen Neilson (Dunbar) 4&3 in the semis while Findlay beat top seed James Byrne (Banchory) by one hole.

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) battled to the quarter-finals before losing 3&2 to Byrne who he had beaten in the last eight at Royal Troon last year.

Ian Thomson, managing director of sponsors Allied Surveyors said: "It was a great advert for amateur golf in Scotland and it’s very encouraging to see two talented young players who have come through the junior ranks performing at the top of their game."

lJACK McDONALD (Kilmarnock Barassie) is in the Scotland boys' team competing in Boys' Home Internationals at Southerness this week.

Scotland are bidding to win the title for the first time since they triumphed at Moray in 2006.

The Scots are captained by former Amateur Champion Stuart Wilson, while national junior coach Spencer Henderson makes his final excursion with the boys’ team before departing to take up his role with the Turkish Golf Federation.