Scottish Women's champion crowned in unusual circumstances at Southerness

Huskie was crowned without having to hit a ball in the final after her scheduled opponent - Pollok’s Rosie Maguire - had to pull out of the match due to a neck injury.

That had been sustained in Maguire’s morning win over Moray’s Ellie Docherty while Huskie defeated Gullane’s Abercrombie Nisbet in the other semi-final.

Despite the circumstances, Huskie, a Scotland girls’ squad player, was a worthy winner after finishing second in the stroke-play qualifying then keeping up her good form in the knock-out stage.

She follows in the footsteps of Stirling legend Alison Davidson, who was Alison Rose when she lifted the title in 1997.

“It was an unusual set of circumstances when Rosie had to pull out with a neck injury,” said Huskie. “I feel bad for her and want to wish her a speedy recovery. It’s not the way anyone wanted it to end.

“It’s been a long week and a difficult week but there are so many positives for me to take from how I’ve played throughout the championship and to have this title is a real honour.”

New champion is set for Stirling Uni stint

Huskie, who will take up a scholarship at Stirling University later this year, added: “Coming into the week it was just a case of have fun and play golf. To become the champion now means it’s a very different feeling.

“A special mention too for my dad, Craig, who has caddied all week. It can be nervy at these events, but he was a calming influence.

“This win will stand me in good stead for going to university at the end of the year and all the other tournaments that are coming up for me in this, my final year as a junior. I’m looking forward to my next couple of years at uni and then see where my golf goes from there.”

Maguire, meanwhile, said: “Congratulations to Erin who has played really well all week. “I’m so disappointed that my week has ended this way because there have been so many highlights, but there was just no way that I could play on.”

In the Clark Rosebowl, the event for players who finished in positions 17-32 after the stroke-play qualifying, victory went to Bishopbriggs golfer Megan Docherty.