SPANISH ISLANDS GIRLS' CHAMPION
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Since publishing the story of Lauren Mackin, a 16-year-old Scottish girl living with her parents on the island of Majorca, winning the Spanish Balearic Islands' girls golf championship recently, it has come to light that golf is by no means her No 1 sport.
Lauren has confessed that running is not her main sport at the moment. She really does not have time to play golf!
The amazing thing about Lauren, who did not take up golf until four or five years ago, is that has improved her handicap from seven to four this year despite giving running her top priority
Last year Lauren played in the St Andrews girls’ open quaich (handicap) tournament and lost to Jessica Scott (Wanstead) by one hole in the final. Lauren was conceding nine strokes to her opponent.
Lauren is a member at Son Muntaner golf course, a newer course than its immediate neighbour, the better-known Son Vida. Both are fairly close to Palma, the capital of Majorca.
“I am also a member at Ranfurly Castle Golf Club in Scotland but I have not played there for a while,” said Lauren.
“Sometimes I go over to Scotland to visit family and friends.
“I’m a very sporty girl. I love all sports and challenges. I lay beach volleyball and I’m in the beach volleyball team here in Majorca. During the week I play tennis with my friends and sometimes I play golf.
“But my main sport at the moment is running. I compete nearly every weekend in races and I’m a member of a running team in Majorca.”
Lauren's mother Jennifer summed up her sporting daughter's prowess:
"I hope you don't think we are playing this (winning the Balearics' girls championship) down but we don't want you to think that our daughter is an up and coming golf star. However she is a very good runner and was the national Scottish Under-13 crosscountry champion, Scottish schools crosscountry champion, national 1,500 metres champion and national road champion - all in the same year: 2003 !
"Lauren is still a member of the Giffnock North Athletic Club in Glasgow. When she is in Glasgow she sees golf coach Karyn Burns at Mearns Golf Academy. She has not had many golf lessons and never had any here in Majora where we have been for the past three years. "She is a very fluent Spanish speaker and is now studying German ."
In short, Lauren Mackin is a talented young lady on and off the golf course.
