4 Titles up for grabs at Kingsknowe in Edinburgh.
Fine weather greeted the golfers for the final round of the Steven Gallagher Foundation Championship for under 15s and under13s. Once again, the tournament was hosted at Kings now in Edinburgh, which was in terrific condition. With narrow fairways and more than a few hills to negotiate, the young golfers would once again face a tough test as they chased the four titles on offer for both scratch and net competitions. Out in front in the under 15 scratch tournament was Cole Stewart from Karnusti Calonia after rounds of 68 and 71 and he looked determined to stay clear from the very start with a solid opening T-shot at the tricky par three first. Despite Cole’s big lead, there were a few players trying their best to close the gap, including Alfie Kawi from Brunsfield. Although this birdie putt on three would just slip by. Coming up behind on the third was the group with Mason Chisum from Irvin. And how about this for an approach out of the trees. Magnificent imagination there. Slicing that round and up next to the flag. He was playing alongside Caleb Picket who had some troubles of his own. A decent effort from out the rough, but that would still lead to a bogey on a day to forget for the golfer from North Beric. So, could Mason see home the birdie putt? He certainly could. Well, I would have offered a bit more of a celebration there myself for that great up and down. Anyway, up ahead on the seventh, Erin Mccalpine was hoping for a high finish in the net competition and was giving herself every chance with approach play like this. Very nearly hitting the hole. Great shot there from Erin. Also going well in both the scratch and net under 15 competitions was Hannah Snedden from Lannarch. And how about that for a birdie two at the par 31 11th. A great putt on a really tricky green helping her to finish sixth in the scratch and third in the net under 15s. But it was playing partner Madison Tierney from Glenn Beervy who would win the net under 15’s title as she too hold out well here on 11. Out in the final group and starting the day in second place was Matthew Enis from Bathgate. He too was in the trees on the third but played a nice approach onto the green just ending up on the fringe giving himself a chance for Birdie. It wasn’t to be though and perhaps that gap at the top was going to be just too much as the others tried to reach Cole Stewart especially as he too had a putt for birdie. Fantastic weather. The course really was in great condition but just catching the edge of the hole there for Cole. You’d have to settle for par, but keeping that gap to six or seven shots at this point in the tournament. Alfie Kawi was still going well here on seven with another nice approach, although once again he would have to settle for par with the putt just not dropping. Playing well in front of the cameras though. He was out with Annie Penny Cookook who despite holding out for a bogey here was going along very nicely at the top of the leaderboard for the under13 scratch title. Mason Chisum was keeping his best for the camera again here on seven. How about this for a birdie? And all the way as he tried his best to stay in touch with the leaders. Cameron Cheek from Preston Field was trying for a good finish in the under 15 net competition and very nearly chipped in here at 13, but he would eventually finish in seventh spot for that competition. Back to seven where Matthew Enis had this short approach after a long drive. Straight to the hole, but running on just a touch and he left himself plenty to do for his birthday. It looked good all the way though, but just stopped agonizingly on the edge of the hole. He would tap in for a par. Well, perhaps he would knew he was already playing for second spot. This is leader Cole Stewart getting his first birdie of the round to stretch his lead once again. Very business-like. Jesse Willis from St. Andrews would hold a nice putt here on 13 to save his par on his way to finishing second in the under 13’s gross tournament and first in the net competition. The under 15 leaders were now on the 10th and Matthew Enis continued his fine iron play with this approach. But it was pars all round and Cole Stewart’s lead was still six as they teed off on the next the par 311th downhill. And uh with shots like that his victory looked almost inevitable. now just rolling off the green with a bit of backspin but chasing flags and once again chipping on from the side of the par4 14th. This would set up his third birthday of the day. So up to the final hole to see how things would finish off and Alfie Kawi again playing nicely for the camera with a fine approach. and he would finish in third place for the under 15 scratch tournament. Playing partner Annie Penny Cookook was disappointed not to hold her birdie putt, but she still came out on top for the under 13 scratch tournament, winning by three shots. Well played, Annie. And as the final group reached the 18th green, all that was left was for Cole Stewart to hold this short putt for a par and a winning margin of nine strokes ahead of runner up Matthew Ellis. Not always as easy as it seems to protect a lead. So what was our winner’s approach to the final round? I just tried to approach it playing par golf, making sure to just keep it in play and try and well shoot the best score I possibly could. Really make the gap as big as possible. I think I came fifth last year. Um, I played well last year as well. It’s just coming back and knowing the course, knowing where to hit it, knowing where to miss it. I think they’re probably the best events that you can play. I like the Steven Gallagher events. I’ve played millions of them over the years. They’re just really wellrun. Congratulations to the four winners for 2025, and we’ll see you again next year.
