Myers masterful as Saxton secures success in Autumn Trophy

Matthew Myers (St Andrews) secured his first Tour win of the season after a masterful 3 under par 69 gave him victory by 6 shots in the men’s event of the Autumn Trophy at The Blairgowrie GC. Jen Saxton (Stirling) took the honours in the women’s event, her overnight lead of nine shots proving too much for the opposition to make up on the final day.

With a very tight leaderboard at the start of the day, the final 4 men’s groups knew that it would take a low round to come out victorious. Luckily, while the wind was still strong the conditions on day three were far more conducive to making that happen.

Myers made the most of this, a two under par front nine giving him a two shot lead at the turn that he didn’t relinquish. Indeed, he was only of only two players to come back under par (honourable mention to perennial tour challenger James Glenn (Durham) who was predictably strong over the final round with a one under 71), a one under 35 giving him a total of 69 and a one under total for the tournament. Graeme Greer (SRUC) shot a solid level par back nine to sign for a 73 and give him second place on countback from Bojesen.

In the team event, Bojesen and Myers’ efforts ensured that St Andrews I comfortably held off the challenge of Stirling II to take home the title, with support from Peter Kerr and George Burns, celebrating the latter’s 21^st birthday in style.

With Saxton’s performance in round 2 it appeared at the start of play that the challenge was going to be who could finish second and third. When she shot an equal best front nine of 37 those predictions seemed to have been spot on, with Lieve van Veggel (St Andrews) and Marie Danielsson (St Andrews) failing to make any headway and dropping one shot to Saxton.

However, at the turn van Veggel came to life with a great level par back nine putting some pressure onto Saxton as bogeys on 10 and 11 threatened to open up the race. A birdie at 15 offset van Veggel’s birdie on the previous hole and despite a 6 at the last Saxton was able to secure victory by 4 strokes. Van Veggel’s effort were enough to secure her a solid runner up spot, while Alexa Hammer (St Andrews) won the best of the rest competition to finish 3^rd.

With Hammer, van Veggel and Danielsson, St Andrews I had more than enough for the other teams, defeating Stirling I by nine shots.

It was a great week and the Tour felt back at home at The Blairgowrie GC. Many thanks to all at the club, in particular the greenskeepers for their tireless work to ensure the course was in such great condition despite some conditions more akin to deepest winter. Thanks also to Clark Autos for transport services supplied to the tournament organiser.

The BUCS Tour moves south this coming weekend for the Northern Tournament before returning to the Fairmont, and the Kittock’s Course, for the Fife Tournament starting on October 13^th.

For the full Autumn Trophy leaderboard please see HERE.