A RISING Kilmacolm Golf Club star is celebrating his first county title.

Mackenzie Holmes was the winner of the Renfrewshire Golf Union Boys' Stroke Play Championship held at Gleddoch Golf Club.

The Langbank venue proved to be the perfect setting as competitive county golf finally returned.

While the weather stayed dry for RGU competition, there was the cold temperature to contend with despite the sunshine.

The course as always was a test for those taking part, and with the recent spell of dry weather it was playing well with firm ground and good run available, and the greens were in superb condition.

However, the scoring on the day was generally poor.

This event is now played over 18 holes due to various issues, and the handicap limit was also increased to allow the younger Renfrewshire boys to experience competition at a higher level.

This produced worthy winners in both events, as it was also decided to present a net score prize in addition to the main scratch competition event.

In the boys' Caven Trophy event, Mackenzie was the winner of the stroke play championship with a gross score of 69, three under par, giving him his first county championship.

Mackenzie is due to travel to the USA in August to take up a golf scholarship and this win will sit nicely on his CV.

He played steadily throughout his round, compiling halves of 35 and 34 for his 69 total.

The lowest net score was won by Jamie Ferguson, of Williamwood Golf Club, with a net score of 67 playing of a handicap of 19.

Interestingly he was in the same three-man match as Mackenzie, so well done to him.

The eight available qualifiers in the event go forward to the RGU Match Play Championship for the Freedman Trophy being played as always over Kilmacolm Golf Club.

The title is currently vacant as there was no competition in 2020 due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, and with home advantage, if available, Mackenzie will be looking to add this title to his four club championship victories at Kilmacolm.

Full results of the competition can be found on Howdidido at Renfrewshire Golf Union, with the draw for the match play to be confirmed when player availability is established.

The courtesy of Gleddoch Golf Club, the condition of the course and the hospitality that they provided was much appreciated.

The Caven Trophy was sponsored once again by Paisley-based family-run company Strathand Fire and Security (www.strathand.com) and RGU thank them for their continued support of the event.