Ruaridh Holden strengthened his reputation as one of the top teenage golfers in the region as he successfully defended his title at the North of Scotland Junior Matchplay Championship.

The Royal Dornoch Golf Club member lifted the trophy for the second consecutive year as he won the final at Forres Golf Club.

Holden (16) qualified for the matchplay section and went on to win his quarter final when he defeated Jack Macdonald from Strathpeffer Golf Club 3 and 2.

He put in a dominant performance in the semi final when he comfortably defeated Scott Mackenzie from Nairn Golf Club 6 and 4.

He was then given a stern test in the final against Finlay Chisholm from Newtonmore Golf Club.

The match went down to the final hole where Holden held his nerve to see out a 1up victory as he retained the Sandy Aird Cup.

Holden, who is a fifth year pupil at Dornoch Academy, was pleased that he could handle the pressure to become champion once again.

He said: “Going into the competition, it was definitely my aim to defend the title.

“In the final, it was very nerve-wracking and there was a lot of pressure when we got to the final hole.

“I would rank winning this competition high up in my career in terms of the junior programme.”

Holden also impressed earlier in the year when he reached the quarter finals of the Scottish Boys Amateur Matchplay Championship at Fraserburgh in July.

Earlier this month, he also won the Caddies Cup which took place at Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

Holden was first introduced to the sport by his Dad Daniel from a young age when it was quickly ascertained that he had a real talent for golf.

He has progressed to now having a handicap of +1.3 and having an impressive record in golf tournaments he has played in over the years.

He said: “I started playing golf when I was three through my Dad who introduced me to it.

“I enjoyed it from a young age and I continued to practice a lot more.

“I started playing in competitions when I was around eight years old. I think I won my first competition when I was 10.

“Royal Dornoch is close to home and it is around about a five minute walk from where I am.

“All the facilities are good and during the summer holidays I go out and play almost every day.

“It is my ambition to turn professional.”

The North of Scotland Junior Matchplay Championship was Holden’s final tournament for 2026 as he is now looking ahead to the 2027 competition calendar.