TWO young golfers who have been flying the flag for Peebles on the national and international stage this season have been given a boost with funding support from the club’s membership.

Brothers Craig and Darren Howie, who represented the Scotland men’s and boy’s teams. respectively. in various international championships, have both been awarded £500 each by the club to cover competition playing expenses next season.

Craig, a former Scottish Boys Champion, enjoyed his most impressive year on the course to date, earning his Scotland men’s debut in August’s Home Internationals having led the qualifying in the British Amateur Championship at Carnoustie in June and finishing third in the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy over the Old Course during the same month.

He has also been starring for the University of Stirling, who have dominated the British and European Universities Championships during Craig’s time in the team.

Younger brother Darren has also excelled, winning the Scottish Schools Championship at Murrayshall, finishing third in the Scottish Under-16s Championships and runner-up in the Scottish Junior Champion of Champions, while representing Scotland in the European Boys Championship and European Young Masters.

Highlight of a great season however was helping Scotland claim their first Boys Home Internationals title in ten years, beating the auld enemy England in the process.

Club captain Alan Boocock said: “We are delighted to provide this support to Craig and Darren next season. Competing on the biggest stages comes with a cost and hopefully this will go some way to covering their expenses and helping continue their success in 2016.

“Everyone at Peebles Golf Club is very proud of their achievements and they are fantastic ambassadors for the club, helping to put Peebles very much on the golfing map.

"We are the only club in recent years to have two members representing Scotland in the same season at boys and men’s level and the fact that they are brothers makes that feat even more remarkable.”

“We have a flourishing junior section with more than 120 kids enjoying golf at Peebles and I’m sure Craig and Darren’s achievements can help inspire a few more boys and girls to come through our ranks and onto the national stage.”