Loading...
Back to news
  • Home /
  • news /

Young talent shines at annual Alfred Dunhill schools golf competition

September 26, 2022

Jaspar Loewe (Pictured above) of St Leonards School and Cole Stewart of Grove Academy were the overall scratch prize winners at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Schools’ Challenge events, played yesterday on the Duke’s Course, St Andrews and last week on the Buddon Course at Carnoustie.

17-year-old Jaspar Loewe shot a one under par gross score of 70 on the Duke’s Course to take the top prize in yesterday’s competition in Fife. A German international student in his final year at St Leonards, Jaspar joined the school on a golfing scholarship two years ago. Currently playing off a handicap of 2.7, he competed in the ISGT Scottish Championships at the Fairmont Hotel’s Torrance Course, St Andrews in February, and also played in May’s Stephen Gallacher Foundation Open at Dundonald Golf Club.

Speaking after yesterday’s competition, Jaspar said: “It’s great to win. This is such a well organised event; the course was also in great condition today and the greens were perfect. I have really enjoyed being in Scotland and playing golf here. In Germany golf can be seen as a posh sport but here it’s part of the culture, especially in St Andrews.”

Meanwhile 12-year-old Cole Stewart carded an impressive score of 69 (one over par) to win both the scratch prize and Junior Boys’ title at the Carnoustie event played on 18 September. His win came after a count back against Daniel Hogg of Edinburgh’s James Gillespie High School, who also recorded a 69.

An S1 pupil at Broughty Ferry’s Grove Academy who began playing golf at the age of five, Cole plays off a current handicap of six. He is a member of the Carnoustie Caledonian Club and Panmure Golf Club. Cole was the winner of last summer’s Angus County Scottish Boys U14 Open and he also competed in the Scottish Boys' U14 Open Championship 2022 at Troon Darley.

Commenting on his win, Cole said: “I was really delighted with the result but I didn’t expect to win because I was younger than many of the others who were playing. It’s been a good summer for me and this tournament was a great experience which is important as I have always wanted to play professional golf when I’m older.”

Other winners at today’s event in St Andrews included Matthew Craig from Aberdeen’s Cults Academy who took honours in the Senior Boys category. It was a double for St Leonards School in the girls’ titles with Charlotte Eichhorn winning the Senior Girls competition and fellow pupil Hazel Peters victorious in the Junior Girls category. Sam Wilson of St Andrews’ Madras College was the Junior Boys winner.

Winners at last week’s Carnoustie competition were Violette Mir from Glenalmond College (Senior Girls); and Conan Reid of Monifieth High School (Senior Boys). Meanwhile Grove Academy registered further success when pupil Lauren Evans took the Junior Girls title. One of the day’s other highlights was a hole in one for Alloa Academy competitor Sam Todd, who achieved the feat for the first time in his playing career at the 164-yard, par 3, 4th hole.

The winners of both Schools Golf competitions will be invited to receive their prizes at the Old Course, St Andrews on the final day of this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday, October 2. All participants from both events will also be invited to attend an exclusive golf clinic on the Championship practice ground with the internationally renowned golf coach Robert Baker.

Baker said: “For more than 20 years we’ve been committed to encouraging young people from across Scotland to participate in competitive golf, which is a huge positive for the future of the sport.

“Getting involved in competitive events like the Alfred Dunhill Schools’ Challenge along with coaching and mentoring from a young age can really help golfers develop their game and maximise their full potential. I congratulate all of today’s competitors and look forward to meeting these talented youngsters at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where they will participate in our annual coaching clinic.”

This year’s Alfred Dunhill Schools’ Challenge events, open to school-aged boys and girls across Scotland, precedes this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which takes place from September 29 – October 2 at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course, St Andrews.