North Berwick golf ace Clara Young scooped the Scottish Women’s Amateur Golf Championships at the weekend.

The 18-year-old, who has just completed her first year at the University of Missouri, clinched victory on the last green at Monifieth, in Angus.

She beat Rachel Walker, of Dumfries and County, to the title, after the pair had shared nine birdies and an eagle over 18 holes.

The county teenager won the first three holes and admitted she paid little attention to her opponent’s scoring, as she stormed to the title.

It was her second appearance in the final, after becoming the youngest ever finalist at Longniddry two years ago, where she was narrowly beaten by Alyson McKechin, from Elderslie, as a 16-year-old.

And she believes she has developed as a golfer since that defeat.

She told Courier Sport: “I think I’ve really matured since two years ago, so it was good to get my hands on the trophy.” Victory at Monifieth adds to her already impressive golfing CV that includes being East Lothian’s youngest-ever women’s county champion, aged just 15, and being a Great Britain & Ireland Vagliano Trophy team player a year later.

The teenager admitted she was “pretty happy” with her success, but enjoyed a quiet night’s celebration with family in North Berwick.

“I’ve not been back long from America so it was nice to catch up with family,” she said.

Young’s victory ensures the trophy will remain in East Lothian, after it was won by Gabrielle MacDonald of Craigielaw last year, and the 18-year-old former North Berwick High School pupil also follows another North Berwick golfer, former British Open champion Catriona Matthew, onto the roll of honour.

Her win was praised by Matthew, who took to social media to pass on her congratulations, tweeting: “Great win @claray_96”.

The 18-year-old is hopeful that she can follow in Matthew’s footsteps.

“If I could go on and emulate her, that would be great, but it’s not just her – there are a lot of great players’ names on that trophy, so it’s nice that my name will be on there too,” the North Berwick Golf Club player added.

Victory at the age of just 18 ensures Young is the youngest winner of the tournament in over 30 years, since Royal Musselburgh’s Jane Connachan claimed the crown at Royal Troon in 1982.

Young has been studying marketing in Missouri on a full golf scholarship, and she will hope to build on her amateur success and follow in the footsteps of county legend Matthew.

She has already begun thinking about life after university, despite having another three years left in Missouri, with long-term plans to venture into the professional ranks.

For now, though, she is enjoying her latest success, and the chance to play golf on both sides of the Atlantic.

She said: “I’d ultimately like to turn pro, but I’m really enjoying playing for now. It’s really fun [in America] and it’s great experience for me.” North Berwick golf ace Clara Young scooped the Scottish Women’s Amateur Golf Championships at the weekend.

The 18-year-old, who has just completed her first year at the University of Missouri, clinched victory on the last green at Monifieth, in Angus.

She beat Rachel Walker, of Dumfries and County, to the title, after the pair had shared nine birdies and an eagle over 18 holes.

The county teenager won the first three holes and admitted she paid little attention to her opponent’s scoring, as she stormed to the title.

It was her second appearance in the final, after becoming the youngest ever finalist at Longniddry two years ago, where she was narrowly beaten by Alyson McKechin, from Elderslie, as a 16-year-old.

And she believes she has developed as a golfer since that defeat.

She told Courier Sport: “I think I’ve really matured since two years ago, so it was good to get my hands on the trophy.” Victory at Monifieth adds to her already impressive golfing CV that includes being East Lothian’s youngest-ever women’s county champion, aged just 15, and being a Great Britain & Ireland Vagliano Trophy team player a year later.

The teenager admitted she was “pretty happy” with her success, but enjoyed a quiet night’s celebration with family in North Berwick.

“I’ve not been back long from America so it was nice to catch up with family,” she said.

Young’s victory ensures the trophy will remain in East Lothian, after it was won by Gabrielle MacDonald of Craigielaw last year, and the 18-year-old former North Berwick High School pupil also follows another North Berwick golfer, former British Open champion Catriona Matthew, onto the roll of honour.

Her win was praised by Matthew, who took to social media to pass on her congratulations, tweeting: “Great win @claray_96”.

The 18-year-old is hopeful that she can follow in Matthew’s footsteps.

“If I could go on and emulate her, that would be great, but it’s not just her – there are a lot of great players’ names on that trophy, so it’s nice that my name will be on there too,” the North Berwick Golf Club player added.

Victory at the age of just 18 ensures Young is the youngest winner of the tournament in over 30 years, since Royal Musselburgh’s Jane Connachan claimed the crown at Royal Troon in 1982.

Young has been studying marketing in Missouri on a full golf scholarship, and she will hope to build on her amateur success and follow in the footsteps of county legend Matthew.

She has already begun thinking about life after university, despite having another three years left in Missouri, with long-term plans to venture into the professional ranks.

For now, though, she is enjoying her latest success, and the chance to play golf on both sides of the Atlantic.

She said: “I’d ultimately like to turn pro, but I’m really enjoying playing for now. It’s really fun [in America] and it’s great experience for me.” Young is pictured with the trophy by Cal Carson Golf Agency ”