Dumbarton’s Lorna McClymont has been crowned as the UK’s top student golfer after finishing the British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) Tour in top spot.
Former Dumbarton Academy pupil Lorna, who is now a sports studies student at the University of Stirling, emerged victorious following the completion of the 10-event tour in Blairgowrie last month.
And it was double joy for the university, with fellow student George Cannon winning the men’s title.
The success came as McClymont was rewarded for an outstanding season on the golf course with selection for the 2023 Arnold Palmer Cup – a Ryder Cup-style competition between a team of student golfers from the United States and a team from the rest of the world.
Lorna will compete for Team International at the event for the third time, having represented – and won the competition – in 2019 and 2022. It will take place at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, from June 8 to 10.
The third year student said: “It is still early in our season, so winning the Order of Merit is a real confidence boost as we look ahead to upcoming events.
“BUCS provides the chance to play a wide range of courses across the UK – both links and inland – and it’s great to be able to challenge yourself in these conditions, against a good standard of player.”
Looking ahead to the Arnold Palmer Cup, the 22-year-old, added: “It will be my third time there – and there’s nothing that compares to it. The experience is great; you’re playing against the top players, so it’s nice to compare your games, and be in that environment and enjoy the experience. I was part of a winning team in 2019 and 2022 – and I’m hopeful we can make it three.”
The 2022/23 BUCS Golf Tour was played at some of the UK’s most prestigious courses and culminated with the Tour Finals, played at Blairgowrie Golf Club last month. The 2022/23 tour also included three events in the R&A Student Tour Series, in France, Portugal and Spain.
The Macpherson Order of Merit – named after Rob Macpherson, a former Golf Manager at BUCS – is calculated by using the points earned from a player’s best four results from the nine qualifying events, and their result from the Tour Finals.
McClymont triumphed in the Stirling International, Autumn Trophy, Scottish Student Championships, and the Tour Finals, as well as the R&A event in France.
Both Lorna and George have busy summers ahead, competing in top amateur events across the UK. And both have set their sights set on turning professional when they graduate from the university and believe their sports scholarship experience will stand them in good stead as they take the next step in their golfing careers.
Lorna added: “My ambition is definitely to turn pro, and to do well as a pro, but I know it’s so hard, so I’m just taking in all the experiences here, putting the work in and hoping for the best.”
David Bond, head of performance sport at the University of Stirling, said: “I am absolutely delighted for Lorna and George on winning the BUCS Macpherson Order of Merit for the 2022/23 season.
“These are impressive achievements and, on behalf of everyone at the University, I wish all four sports scholars our warmest congratulations.
“These results reflect the outstanding success of the high-performance golf programme here at Stirling and the dedication and effort of our respected coaching team.
“Through our sector-leading sports scholarship programmes, world-class coaching, and state-of-the-art facilities, I am confident the university will continue to set the standard for UK student golf for years to come.”
