A TALENTED young Kilmacolm golfer has brought his skills to the fore to bag a place at a top USA university.

Mackenzie Holmes, 17, is heading to Lindenwood University in St Charles, Missouri, on a sought-after transatlantic golf scholarship.

The former St Columba's High School pupil, who is junior captain at Kilmacolm Golf Club, will study business administration and pre-engineering and receive expert golf tuition.

The teenager will be heading for the States in the autumn, coronavirus travel restrictions permitting.

Mackenzie decided to apply for the course just over a year ago and was thrilled when he received seven As for his National 5s and five Higher As.

He said: "I was thinking about applying for university and really wanted to go down the USA route.

"I'm really passionate about my golf and want to be a professional golfer, so I knew it would be a good move for me."

After talking to his coach Colin Fisher, Mackenzie was soon in touch with the golf coach at Lindenwood, Derek Schaub and made a successful application.

Since then, he has been working hard to ensure his game is on course.

When he starts at university, Mackenzie will be in class every morning and then out on the course to practice - individually and as part of a team.

At the weekends, he will take part in tournaments as part of a squad of around 15 students.

He will also train three times a week at the gym.

Mackenzie added: "It's a very busy schedule but I like that.

"It's going to be a really interesting experience."

After picking up a club at the age of nine, Mackenzie started taking golf seriously when he was about 12.

He's been a member of Kilmacolm Golf Club for more than five years and says he has had great help, encouragement and support.

He recently qualified in second place for the European Junior Open and is four-time junior club champion at Kilmacolm.

The talented young sports star has a 71.4 scoring average and a handicap of 0.6.

He said: "There's great satisfaction in putting all the work, time and effort in and seeing it come through in my playing.

"I love seeing small changes in my game reflected in tournament golf.

"I've had phenomenal support from my club - they've helped me so much over the years."

Mackenzie is looking forward to working towards a world amateur golf ranking, but says he knows he will miss his family when he's away.

He said: "My family are so supportive of what I'm doing and I'm really appreciative of that.

"It's quite humbling knowing that when I started playing, I didn't know how far I could take it.

"This is the next big step and it's a big jump.

"It's a complete change in lifestyle.

"I can't wait to get started."