It's been a great month for Troon youngster Michael Stewart. He helped Scotland win the Quadrangular International against Italy, hosts France and world junior champions Sweden, and then had a runaway eight shot victory in the first of the season's SGU Junior Tour events at Kingsbarns.

He's hoping the March madness turns out to be the fore taste of a season to savour before he heads out to America and a four year golf scholarship at East Tennessee State University.

"I'm going to be studying sport management, but golf will be the priority," said the 18-year-old who has already been playing the game for 16 years, and seriously for the past seven.

"My Dad (Robbie) is a scratch golfer and I used to trail along behind him when I was only two," explained Stewart, who now boasts a handicap of plus three. "I was 11 when I started playing competitively. At that time, I was playing off five."

There have already been a number of highlights in his career - "the best was holing the winning putt for Great Britain and Ireland boys against Europe at Notts Golf Club last year," he says - but he hopes to pile up a great deal more before heading Stateside.

This could be the season when this top junior golfer turns into a real senior prospect - but his goal for April is to win one of the most revered titles in the Scottish game, the Scottish Boys' Championship.

The Championship starts at Southerness on April 7 and Stewart, a semi-finalist last year, is one of the favourites in the massive field. "There is a huge depth of talent in Scottish boys' golf so it is going to be very tough," he pointed. "But it would certainly be a lovely title to win."

He also has an eye on the Scottish Amateur Championship at Carnoustie in August, and a chance to maybe earn a first senior cap at the Home Internationals in September.

"I'm going to play in as many senior tournaments as possible over the summer," said the teenager who is coached by the Scotland's Junior Coach, Spencer Henderson. "If I do well, then there is always a chance I could make the senior team.

"I'll be in America by the time of the Home Internationals. But I'd definitely come back if I was selected."

Armed with four Highers, Stewart left Marr College last year to take a gap year dedicated to golf - and he's now looking forward to a host of challenges in the game.

"Ideally, I'll do four years at Tennessee and then turn professional and go for my European Tour card," said the young lad who seems well prepared to face the adventure of a lifetime.

EB
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