Muckhart Golf Club has added further silverware to the trophy cabinet after winning the Perth and Kinross Team Championships.
A Strathmore Golf Centre in fine condition hosted the event at the weekend, welcoming top trios of players from across the region.
And finishing top of the pile at the close of play - by four shots - was the Muckhart squad of Neil Hill, Lewis Seath and Alex Turlik.
Auchterarder Golf Club placed second, while Crieff Golf Club completed the podium in third.
Neil, father of DP World Tour player Calum Hill, brought bundles of experience to the winning team while youngsters Lewis and Alex both put in terrific performances.
For years now, Muckhart has had a real knack of producing talented golfers and many of them advanced to study and take their talents Stateside.
Giving the younger players an opportunity to shine on the adult stage continues to be of great importance to the club - and it’s a strategy paying off.
“We have a lot of good scratch players available at the club,” said Chris Turlik, the club captain.
“To be fair to the guys in and around the team, they are always keen for the juniors to be given first option to play in anything. And hence why this team had two juniors. We even had a second team that also would have been very strong.
“We seem to be going in little waves, going right back to the Calum Hill era. From there we had players like Ross White, who also went to the States.
“Calum’s brother Ian was as good but chose not to head over to America. There was a little gap and then we had Jamie Roberts and Andrew Thornton, who have both done very well.
“All of our guys, as soon as they are good enough, are playing in the men’s scratch team. If you don’t do it, the kids don’t get exposed to adult competition until 18, 19 or beyond. Playing in them is a massive confidence boost.”
Commenting on the positive influence of Neil to the team - and the club - Chris added: “Neil is a multiple winner at the club in scratch events and club championships.
“He and Ian both won the club championship, but Calum never did. I’m sure they have reminded him of that. Neil has been brilliant and ran the scratch team for many years.”
Muckhart finished ahead of Auchterarder, Crieff, Perth Artisans, Craigie Hill, Pitlochry, Kinross, Blairgowrie, King James VI and Strathmore to lift the trophy.
The best individual score on the day was a superb four-under par 68 from Bally Whytock of Perth Artisans. Alex and Lewis from Muckhart both carded one-under par 71s.
