It's a long way from San Diego to Southerness but Grant Forrest's golfing escapades will continue on the Solway Firth this weekend when the national amateur champion competes in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship, writes Nick Rodger.
The 19-year-old from East Lothian, who won the Scottish matchplay title at Royal Dornoch last summer, has recently returned to his homeland after a successful first year at San Diego University and he will be plunged straight into top-level competition.
Forrest, the former Scottish Boys' champion who made his mark on the American college scene with victory in the West Coast Conference Championship last month, forms part of a 144-strong field for a 72-hole contest that boasts a roll of honour featuring the likes of Bernard Gallacher, Colin Montgomerie, Andrew Coltart and Stephen Gallacher.
Forrest, the highest Scot on the world amateur rankings at No 102, will be joined in a global line-up by Glenbervie's Walker Cup hopeful Graeme Robertson, who was beaten to the Irish Open Strokeplay title in a play-off earlier this month.
Bradley Neil, the new national under-18 matchplay champion, and the impressive Ewan Scott both get another chance to test themselves in the cut-and-thrust of tournament play in the senior ranks while Haydn Porteous, South Africa's leading amateur and the joint runner-up in this championship last year, will spearhead the international assault.
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