EAST Renfrewshire golfer Tom Hepburn is being tipped for a bright future after making it to the final of a prestigious competition.

Hepburn beat Sean Smith, of Mearns Castle, by one hole in their semi-final showdown in the Renfrewshire Boys Match Play Championship.

That earned him a place in Sunday's final against Alexander Farmer, of Kilmacolm.

And it was Farmer who collected the Freedman Trophy as he made home advantage count.

However, organisers at the Renfrewshire Golf Union were full of praise for Williamwood ace Hepburn, hailing the final as "a classic encounter."

A spokesman said: "Early play saw the first five holes matched in par by both players, although birdie chances were available but not taken.

"Farmer went one up at hole six when Hepburn failed to get up and down from the greenside bunker, while the next two holes were halved in par and a birdie at nine saw Hepburn square the match.

"A poor drive at 10 and Hepburn had to take a penalty drop for Farmer to go one up. Holes 11 and 12 were halved in par until Farmer overshot the green at 13 into an unplayable lie and the match returned to all-square.

"Hepburn returned the favour at 14 with a poor, pushed drive and, with a par, Farmer went one up.

"The next three holes were halved in par figures, with both players having chances for birdies but none taken.

"On the 18th, Farmer blocked his drive right and hit his second well left of the green. Hepburn, in good position, hit his second to the back of the green. Farmer played a good shot to the green to about 10 feet, while Hepburn putted to three feet. With all the pressure and few putts holed all day, Farmer made his putt and secured victory over a very formidable opponent.

"Congratulations to both boys for the spirit in which the match was played.

"The competition, which has been running since 1979, is always played at Kilmacolm, due to a long-standing connection with the club, but this is only the second home player to win the trophy, the other being in 2003.

"This is the first ever family double victory, as his father, Andrew Farmer, won the trophy as a 16-year-old in 1990."

The Renfrewshire Golf Union has thanked Kilmacolm Golf Club, the Freedman family and Alison Murray for their support.