St Leonards Schoolboy tees it up with golfing superstars

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 4th of October 2011

Stepping on to the first tee of the Old Course in the same championship as the likes of Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood might be the stuff of dreams for many golfers but it became a reality for young Alasdair McDougall at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The 14 year old St Leonards pupil was drafted in from the standby list after a late withdrawal.

McDougall won the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) Order of Merit this year and gained the dream spot on the standby list for the prestigious European Tour pro-am event in which he played in the same group as former Open Champion and SALJGA honorary president Paul Lawrie.

'It is a fantastic opportunity for me,' he said before teeing off. 'I love playing golf and the chance to play in the same event as some of my heroes is just unbelievable. The Dunhill is a great event and it doesn't get any better than playing in a championship on the Old Course. It will be a little nerve-wracking but I am really looking forward to it.'

After completing his opening round, Alasdair said,
'The 17th hole was a real highlight. I was then standing over my putt and I said to myself if I hole this it will be the best moment of my life and then I holed it. I was so happy and it just felt amazing.'

Paul Lawrie said, 'He did really well, it can't be easy when you're only 14 and playing in such a big event.'

Alasdair has a handicap of three and earlier this year represented Scotland in the under-16 quadrangular internationals playing against Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy and Wales. He is also part of the national Scottish Golf Union squad.

Alasdair's proud father Duncan said, 'He really took to golf after moving St Andrews and I don't think there could have been a better place for him to learn the game. The coaching and facilities have been excellent for him. At the moment he is really enjoying his golf and playing in the Dunhill Links Championship will be such a great experience.'