APART from the obvious perils, like being cracked on the head by a stray Titleist or ending up with skint knees as you crumple to the ground in cursing, howling exasperation at the sheer futility of it all, golf tends to be a fairly gentle pursuit.
“I’ve dislocated my shoulder at rugby, broken my arm at football and I’m pretty injury-prone so golf is a bit easier on my body,” said Darren Howie, who has been left black and blue by a variety sports but is very much in the pink here at Monifieth.
The 17-year-old from Peebles harnessed the tricky conditions and posted a one-under 70 for a one-over 143 which left him just a shot behind joint leaders, Ingvar Magnusson of Iceland and Jamie Stewart of Old Ranfurly. It could have been better for Stewart, who was five-under after 14 holes but was left to rue a costly double-bogey on the 17th. His 68, though, was still a fine effort as last year’s Scottish junior No 1 set himself up for a final day shoot-out over the closing 36-holes.
The Howie family, meanwhile, have already had a major junior trophy sitting proudly on the mantelpiece. Darren’s older brother, Craig, won the Scottish Boys’ Matchplay crown at Murcar back in 2012 and the healthy sibling rivalry continues to drive both on. “Whatever he does, I want to do better,” said the youngest of the Howie boys, who made his gains over the first four holes and then reeled off 14 straight pars.
Having won the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy last season and opening the new campaign with the Junior Tour title, Howie continues to make purposeful strides. While his older brother divided full-time competition with his studies at the University of Stirling, Darren has opted for a strictly golfing education.
“I left school after fifth year as I didn’t think there was much point in being there,” admitted Howie, who holds the course record at his home club in the Borders with a nine-under 61. “I would use my study leave to work on my golf instead.”
Howie was joined in the upper echelons by Edinburgh’s Eric McIntosh, the reigning champion, who finished with a two-over tally after a 70 which featured a trio of birdies on the first three holes.
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