String of student titles for golfers

University of Stirling golfers have won a total of four titles at the 95th Scottish Student Golf Championships, dominating the event at the Old Course at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth.

The men’s first team won the team matchplay competition, beating the University’s second team 7-5 to retain the Charles McNeill Trophy for the 7th time in a row.

Impressive performances

Stirling scholar Sinead Sexton also won took the women’s matchplay title, triumphing over teammate Gemma Batty in an all-Stirling final.

Earlier in the week, Gemma secured a hat-trick of student titles, coming out as Strokeplay champion for the third successive year and winning the Smith-Murray trophy. She is the first person to win this many titles in a row this since 1973.

Stirling ace Laird Shepherd also surged to victory in the men’s Championship event, taking the Jack Allan trophy.

Laird finished with an impressive four round total of 8 under, while teammate Chris Maclean took third place with a score of one over.

Laird said: “I am thrilled to get my name on the trophy alongside some great players, including recent champions Craig Howie and Mathias Eggenberger. It feels really special to have done it. Coming to Moray is always a big deal for all the student golfers and it is a privilege to have come out on top this week.”

Students excel

Dean Robertson, high performance golf coach at the University, said: “Over the past week our international golf scholars have excelled on the amateur and student circuits, picking up a string of titles and building the foundations for a successful season.”

Elsewhere, Stirling golfer Chloe Goady finish in ninth position in the European Nations Cup in Spain and Winning Students athlete Alasdair McDougall finished runner-up at the Scottish Men’s Champion of Champions competition in Fife. The event is a curtain raiser for the amateur golf season.

Sinead went on to finish runner-up in the R&A’s Foundation Scholars Tournament in St Andrews, with student Jordan Sundborg achieving the same result in the men’s competition.

Next week, the University’s international golf scholars will travel to Kent to compete in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Golf Tour Finals.