Award boost for golfer Bradley

Feb 25 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BIG County starlet Bradley Neil is hoping to follow in the footsteps of golfing stars Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie.

And the Scottish and English U14 national champion was thrilled to share the limelight with the stars at the XOS Scottish Golf Awards in Glasgow.

The Blairgowrie High School youngster was presented with the Scottish Golf Union’s Developing Talent Award for his 2010 exploits, with Lawrie handing over the trophy in front of a sell-out audience at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Bradley (14), who re-wrote the Blairgowrie Golf Club record books last season by becoming the youngest ever champion, said: “It was a huge thrill and an honour to meet top players like Colin and Paul, who have been there, done it at the highest level.”

The top-rated Big County kid has enjoyed the perfect start to the 2011 season after being called into the Scottish U18’s squad Quadrangle match in Italy where he will represent Scotland against Italy, Sweden and France.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson led video tributes to former Open winner Lawrie and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie as they received the first ever SGU Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Lawrie said: “The Scottish Golf Union did a great job in organising the event and I hope the presence of Colin and I can help inspire the next generation of young golfers to more Scottish success in the future.”