Kilmacolm golfer Farmer savours special triumph in Scottish Amateur Championship

Alexander Farmer admitted adding his name to a storied list of winners of the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship in front of his doting grandpa meant the world to him.

The 19-year-old University of Stirling student won the battle of the academics in the final at the St Andrews Links Castle Course when he defeated Charlie Reynolds from the University of St Andrews by a 5&4 margin.

The victory was rich reward for the Kilmacolm golfer who made it through the 36-hole stroke play qualifying as the fifth seed and then maintained his excellent form through six knockout ties.

Last year, Farmer’s grandpa Iain suffered a stroke during the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship at Royal Dornoch, but was determined to be on site to cheer his grandson on in this year’s final.

And while Farmer was thrilled to join the list of champions that includes his university coach and Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson, mentor Stephen Gallacher and greats of the Scottish game such as Colin Montgomerie and Robert MacIntyre, the sight of his family around the 14th green when he holed the winning putt gave the moment added significance.

Farmer said: “My grandpa has had a tough year but to have him here alongside my mum Helen and friends and supporters was amazing.

“It was nice to see him on the 14th – he didn’t get to see all of it last year and missed out on me playing for Scotland down at Lindrick in the Home Internationals so for him to see me win this week was special.

“It all hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I look forward to seeing my name engraved on the trophy. To be alongside Monty, Dean, Stephen and Bob Mac as well is special.”

As always, the Scottish Men’s Amateur was a strength of endurance as well as skill over the course of five days.

First up, was two rounds of stroke play qualifying. This featured 264 golfers and was staged at two venues – the Castle Course and Fairmont St Andrews Torrance Course.

On day one, Deeside’s Oli Blackadder produced the round of his life to shoot a seven-under par 64 at the Castle Course. His round featured eight birdies and an eagle and gave him a four-shot lead on the field.

The Scotland Boys’ international followed that up with a level par round of 72 on day two at the Torrance and claim top seeding going into the match play.

In total, 64 players made it through from the stroke play to the knockout stages with the cut line falling at +6.

However, the seedings do not always guarantee success as Blackadder found out in the round of 32 when he succumbed to Craig Chalmers, the number 32 seed, on the 18th green.

In the end, no-one could dispute Farmer’s deserved victory.
Farmer posted rounds of 74 and 67 to comfortably make the top 64 in the stroke play and make the knockout stages.

Two of his match play games on Friday went the distance and more – Matthew Wilson was beaten on the 20th hole in the round of 16 before Archie Wyatt succumbed on the 19th hole in the quarters.

Will Bremner from Edzell was  Farmer’s next victim in the semi-finals – another game that went to the 18th.

The final was slightly less stressful for Farmer whose father Andrew, unfortunately, missed out on the family celebrations as he is in Wales helping the Scotland Boys’ squad prepare for this week’s Home Internationals at Conwy.

Three birdies in a row from the 6th including a chip in from the fringe of the 8th helped give Farmer a four hole lead at the turn.

Despite Reynolds battling back to win the 11th, Farmer won the 12th and 13th before sealing victory with an eight-foot putt on 14.

“It feels great and I’m not sure it’s quite sunk in yet,” added Farmer.
“But it might in the next few days with all the messages that have come through.

“I can feel the phone buzzing in my pocket and it will take me a long, long time to reply to them all.

“I’m really grateful for all the support and I can’t quite believe what has happened to be honest.

“I drove the ball well all week and struck it as well as I’ve ever done. I think that was the secret.”