James White makes amends for 'sore one' with second Leven Gold Medal win
Fifer delighted to land victory on his doorstep after coming close in three 72-hole events this season
James White made amends for a disappointing defeat on his doorstep earlier in the year by winning the Leven Gold Medal for a second time.
It had been a sore one for White when he let a three-shot lead slip from his grasp in the East of Scotland Open at Lundin, his home club, at the end of June.
He didn’t get off to the best of starts next door after opening with a 74 in the world’s oldest amateur stroke-play championship.
However, White then reeled off impressive scores of 68-67-67 for a seven-under-par total and a one-shot win over Charlie Gillespie and David Paterson.
It was White’s second success in the tournament after he also triumphed in 2021, with his dad Jim having also got his name on the trophy in 2003.
“Delighted to have won the Gold Medal again, especially after a really poor Saturday,” said White, who works as the UK & Ireland Sales Manager for golf technology company Shot Scope.
“Losing a three-shot lead in the East of Scotland Open earlier this season was a sore one to take, and this was the complete opposite.
Holed 60-foot putt on 18th green
“I didn't feel I had much hope of winning and, even after holing about a 60-footer on the 18th, I felt like it might only jump me up a place in the field and likely into the top five.
“I've played in five 72-holers this season and had a second, third and and fourth, so it feels great to get one across the line, especially at Leven in front of some local support.”
George Jackson, the Turnhouse player who won the East of Scotland Open after White had closed with a 76 on that occasion, racked up his second big win of the season at Longniddy in the South East District Open.
Jackson followed a brilliant opening 64 with scores of 70-70-66 for a two-under total and a four-shot win over six players as Dominic McGlinchey (Renaissance Club), Cameron Fraser (Ratho Park), Benn McLeod (Musselburgh), Adam Giles (Newmachar) and Graham Robertson (Silverknowes) all tied for second spot.
Meanwhile, Portlethen’s Ben Murray backed up securing a first Scotland cap in the Home Internationals by winning the North East District Championship at Murcar Links.
Posting scores of 66-73-70-65 for a ten-under-par total, Murray won by four shots from Newmachar’s Clark Henderson in an event sponsored by Kings Links Golf Centre.
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