Torrance golfer Fraser McKenna missed out by the tightest of margins on what would have been a sensational victory in the Boys Amateur Championship on the weekend. The tournament favourite, Portugal's Pedro Figueiredo, pipped him at the 39th hole in an enthralling final at Little Aston in Birmingham.

FraserMcKennaCSISweb.JPGReaching the final and pushing his opponent so hard was just what Balmore Golf Club 17 year old McKenna needed after what he describes as an ‘average’ season.
 
“That’s the biggest event of the year for the boys golf and he’s the probably the best at boys level in Europe,” he said having lost at the third extra hole after missing a five foot birdie putt.
 
McKenna had led the match until the eleventh hole of the afternoon round.  But having fought back to go back to one up with one to play, Figueirdo holed a stunning 40-foot putt on the 18th green to take the match to extra holes.
 
With the first two holes halved in par, Figueirdo birdied at the third to clinch the title in one of the most memorable boys’ finals in recent years.
 
“I played well all week and I wanted to reach the quarter finals so I exceeded my expectations,” said McKenna.  “I really had my chances to win but the boy holed a really good put to take it into extra holes. 
 
“I’ve had an average season and that gave me a huge boots to get into the final.”
 
McKenna has been a full time golfer since finishing college earlier this summer.  He is a member of the SGU’s under 18 squad and has been supported by the Central Scotland Institute of Sport since last October.
 
The Area Institutes of Sport network provides high performance expertise to Scotland’s potential world class talent, working with partners to build greater success for Scottish sport. Its expert teams work together to deliver essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and career and lifestyle guidance.
 
“The Central Institute helped me through the winter and I went to the gym all the time,” said McKenna, who hopes to find a part time job at the end of the season to support his 2009 golf season. “I’ve used the psychologist also and that was really helpful.”

This Friday he plays closer to home when the Roxburghe Golf Club in the Borders hosts the regional finals of the Faldo Series.

“If I get through then I’ll go to the Grand Final will in Wales,” he added.  “I made it last year and it was a great event.”