Iceland’s Óliver Elí Björnsson won the 99th R&A Boy’s Amateur Championship at Gailes Links on Saturday beating Sweden’s Ludwig Libera at the first extra hole. 144 boys started with a dream of winning what they would consider a Major. For Oli and his parents it came at the first extra hole, a flick with his wedge, on the third bounce it gripped and stopped two foot from the hole, a gimme. Ludwig stood over a 10 footer, it slipped by and his dream was over. In that moment their personas, likened to seasoned professionals, we had witnessed over six days of competition changed, they were wee boys. Both turned to their parents, 16 year old Oli with tears of joy and tears of disappointment for 18 year old Ludwig, as he collapsed into his mother’s arms. They had both given their all, drained physically and mentally after a week, nine rounds of golf, up against some of the best Boy golfer’s in the World. Two rounds of Strokeplay on Monday and Tuesday determined the 64 for the matchplay matches. Level par was the mark, an indicator of the fantastic level of golfer we were witnessing. Oli’s week had started with a first round 76 on a breezy Monday. His parents would have been looking out the return flight tickets to Reykjavik. Oli had other ideas, showing great bouncebackability qualities, a fabulous round of (66) to finish on the cut-off mark. • Ludwig was on the cut mark too, however a less dramatic 142 - (73 + 69) • England’s Cole Self was the top qualifier with a wonderful total of 134 (68 + 66). Ludwig beat Cole in the Quarter Finals, at the final hole. • Lowest round was from Italian Paolo Perrino a terrific 64 on Tuesday. • Consolation for Aidan Lawson (Bruntsfield), the sole Scot to reach the matchplay stages. He was beaten by our Champion Oli in the first matchplay round (3&2). Both Oli and Ludwig battled their way through five rounds of matchplay, to the Final. Oli dramatically clinched a Final berth after a birdie at the fourth extra hole against Pao Pemerica (France). THE FINAL was a very evenly matched contest, A/S after 18 holes. Mihai had brought the BBQ from Killermont and the R&A treated us volunteers and spectators to Chicken & Beef Burger fare at halftime. No sign of Oli or Ludwig in the queue - a micronutrient shake and nutrient-dense energy bar no doubt. Jim Barns, the R&A starter announced the players on the tee for the last time this week. The final 18 holes of the Championship was underway. Nothing to separate them till the 8th & 9th. Ludwig birdied both to go (+3) at the turn. Oli birdied the 11th. The pin at the 12th was in that precarious position at the front. All members can empathise with Oli, when his chip came back to his feet - loss of hole. Oli recovered with a birdie at the 13th - Ludwig back to (+2). At the par3 15th, Oli produced a magical moment from the treacherous front pot bunker on the right. He floated it out to four feet short of the pin at the back. Ludwig chipped up and missed his putt. Oli’s fist pump as his ball disappeared, spoke volumes, he was back in it. Ludwig (+1). Sadly Ludwig compounded this with a hook into the Gorse bushes at the 17th. So a/s going down the last. Oli’s adrenaline fuelled three-wood caught the fairway bunker. Advantage Ludwig - however he found the right greenside bunker. Both on the green in three. The six days of competition boiled down to two putts from about 10 feet. Oli’s putt kissed the cup on the way bye and he folded to his knees, head in hands. Ludwig had a putt for the Championship but sadly for him it too stayed above ground. So the players and sizeable gallery of circa 80 turned and made their way up the first. Óliver Elí Björnsson walking up the first at Gailes Links, did not know it, but it was a walk that he will remember for the rest of his life and maybe a moment that will change his life forever. The rest is history, Oli lifted the historic R&A Boys Championship Trophy in front of his very proud parents. I would imagine an Icelandic Nation will also be very proud of him. On February, 17th we sat down with the R&A at Gailes to run through the brief for the event. Craig Brodie was the R&A Event Chairman. He is the son of our Past Captain and Golfing Great Alan Brodie. An Event on this scale that the Club, in this modern era, had never experienced before. It was a challenge indeed, way beyond Tennant Cup or SGU Competitions. It was something that as a Club we were asked to embrace. Brian Dickson (Gailes Course Manager) and team, answered all questions by preparing the most immaculate course, just stunning. Jackie Lennon (Gailes Clubhouse Manager) and her catering team excelled in producing exactly what the R&A demanded in their usual professional manner. Danny Welsh (Club Managing Secretary) was the glue that administered the whole liaison between Club and R&A. I was tasked with organising all the volunteers by the R&A. After accepting, I reviewed my remit - seven days, one hundred volunteers and the logistics involved….help. On the week, we were a team of eighty three, right on the limit. We filled every role asked of us by the R&A. I couldn’t afford a call-off and you know what - not one. A sincere and most appreciative thanks for your support - you made my job easy. The R&A were delighted with every aspect of the Club’s contribution to what was a marvellous event for all. Angus Cameron (M&H) R&A Boys Photographs.pdf