James Wood crowned Scottish Boys Amateur champion

Bathgate ace James Wood ends five-day event with 2&1 triumph over Jack McDonald at Scotscraig Golf Club

Article Source: Scottish Golf
Last Updated: 22 July 2024 13:30

James Wood has revealed how a Scottish Golf video clip featuring three-time tour winner Ewen Ferguson inspired him to victory in the 2024 Scottish Boys’ Amateur Championship.

The Bathgate golfer defeated Jamie McDonald from the New Club St Andrews by a margin of 2&1 in Sunday’s thrilling final at Scotscraig Golf Club in Fife.

It was an exciting climax to a hectic week of golf with Wood emerging from the field of 126 starters to join the likes of Ferguson and current Tour players such as Grant Forrest and David Law on the tournament’s roll of honour.

Prior to the five-day event teeing off, Wood watched a social media post of past winner Ferguson talking about how his triumph in 2014 at Western Gailes is still something that crops up in conversations with other Scots players on tour.

That gave Wood the extra incentive he required to battle through two rounds of stroke play qualifying and then six match play ties to claim the silverware.

After a 12-foot birdie putt sealed the win with a hole to spare, Wood said: “It’s weird, I saw Ewen Ferguson on Instagram last week talking about sitting with other players and talking about the Scottish Boys.

“I didn’t realise that Ewen had won it. When I saw that, I thought it would be cool to win the same thing he did and follow what he’s done.

“It makes you realise it can happen to some people if you do the right things.”

The final with McDonald was nip-and-tuck with only one hole ever separating the players until Wood’s decisive putt dropped on the 17th green.
Wood reached the turn in three-under par but only held a one-hole advantage.

That was pulled back by McDonald on the 11th before a birdie on 13 edged Wood ahead once more.

McDonald’s tidy birdie on 15 levelled the match before his par putt lipped out on 16 and gave Wood the lead which he was able to convert into a win the birdie on 17.

Wood admitted the victory was the culmination of a lot of hard work and has helped him achieve a target he set out for himself at the start of the season.
He added: “Winning it feels amazing. It’s all I’ve ever worked for.

“It means everything – it’s the one you look for when the dates for the season come out. It’s the one you dream about.

“It was nerve wracking. – it was a tough slog. No-one got more than one ahead – if Jamie made a birdie, I’d make on one the next hole. It was back and forth and a really good game.

“It wasn’t until 16 when he had a pretty dirty lip out and I won the hole, that I thought if I made birdie on 17 I’d be more than likely to win.”

McDonald was naturally disappointed to miss out on the win, but also proud of how he played over five days of tough competition.

Despite only qualifying as the 48th seed, he hit his stride in the match play. Top seed from the stroke play, Harvey Allan from St Andrews, was despatched in the Round of 16 while other notable scalps included Scotland Boys’ squad player Finlay Galloway and Doha-based Dominic McGlinchey.

He said: “It’s been a great week and I’ve played some really good golf.

“I made a slow start in the stroke play but bounced back in the match play.

“I felt I played well…I didn’t make a bogey all day and had a couple of lip-outs. I played well but all credit to James for playing as he did and winning.”

• The 2025 Scottish Boys’ Amateur Championship will be held at Blairgowrie Golf Club from 16-20 July.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

Gilded Balloon launches Postcode Pals

Gilded Balloon launches a rewards scheme with £6 tickets now available for local residents for some of the Fringe's biggest shows - including Rosie O'Donnell, Jack Docherty, Kim Blythe and more!

Summer savers tickets at the Edinburgh Playhouse

ATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the Edinburgh Playhouse!

Sheila Fleet Jewellery celebrates grand opening of new Edinburgh retail premises on Hanover Street

Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.

Calling artists and makers!

Leith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

Manran to headline as Innis & Gunn bring the best of Scotland to the Mound for Fringe 2025

Scottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches the summer edition of its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!

Traverse Theatre announces Autumn 2025 season

Hot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.

New Edinburgh hotspot, The West End Garden, opens in the grounds of St Marys Cathedral

Edinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Launches Search for Director of Mischief

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Today, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.

Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

This summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Families will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.

The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

This week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.

Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Newtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.

Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.

DofE Gold Award holders were guests of honour at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

Capital Theatres celebrates history of Kings Theatre with launch of The Peoples Archive

Capital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.

Mother and Daughter duo crowned ultimate Stitch fans in Edinburgh

A Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.

Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.