UNDER 14'S SKILLS TEST

Under-14 boys and under-15 girls from throughout the length and breadth of Scotland will be aiming for the Scottish National Golf Centre in a series of Skills Tests being held on 18 April.

The initial stages which are taking place at six centres from Castle Heather, Inverness in the north to Largs in the south involve almost 250 juniors who will be assessed on accuracy in a series of tests using clubs from driver to putter. Other centres are Brucefield (Stirling), Dalmahoy, Newmachar and St. Andrews.

The skills tests have been designed to put a premium on accuracy with length not being a major consideration. The long game skills give competitors the chance to be assessed with driver, 5 iron, 9 iron and wedge while the short game asks players to be tested on pitch and runs, pitching, bunker shots and putting.

Cruden Bay's Neil Smith was the winner of the 1998 final where he improved in his top-four position from the previous year.

All sixteen SGU areas will be represented in the heats and from these 26 boys and 10 girls will qualify for the Finals Day at Drumoig on 9 May. This day will consist of morning coaching from Scottish National Golf centre staff followed by the skills test final after lunch.