After a thrilling weeks golf at the well presented Braids Golf Course it was Jake Johnston (Royal Burgess) that conquered the field and lifted the Spiers Trophy as the new Lothians Boys Champion.
Following qualification it was Rory McClafferty (Linlithgow) that set the pace with his gross 70 score leading the field which gave him the Lindsay Trophy. Rory succumbed to Dominic McGlinchey (Renaissance) in the Semi Final of the matchplay by 3&2 and in the other Semi Final it was Jake Johnstone (Royal Burgess) who progressed by 4&2 against Struan Reinink (Swanston). Despite the score-lines both Semi Finals were close affairs and there wasn't much in both games until they started into the last 7 holes mainly into a stiff breeze.
In Thursday's Final on a good clear evening with little wind to be much of a problem. The scene was set when both players made birdie at the first hole. This was the way for most of the round with players having to make birdie to win holes. As both Johnston and McGlinchey came up the stretch it was nip and tuck all the way with Dominic taking the lead on the 16th with a birdie. Jake fought back at the next hole and unusually won with a par. However, it was a piece of magic that tipped the balance when Johnston drove the 18th and two putted for birdie to take the title by the narrowest of margins.
All players can be proud of their achievements across the week and the two finalists certainly made the final a good talking point for the Junior game in the Lothians.
In the first photo you can see Rory McClafferty (Linlithgow) receiving the Lindsay Trophy from Jean Macnab (President) and in the second photo you can see the triumphant Jake Johnston (Royal Burgess) receiving the historic Spiers Trophy from the President and in the background the Runner-Up Dominic McGlinchey (Renaissance) who had the SGF Trophy of his own to pick up as the best U16 player. Fraser Walters (Gullane) was the U14 SGF Trophy winner.