MAGNERS SCOTTISH CLUB GOLFERS

NIGG BAY PIP NAIRN DUNBAR FOR TOP SPOT AT MURCAR LINKS

Nigg Bay's Gary Thom and Ryan Elder, with an eight-under-par net score of 63 at Murcar Links today, won the last of the four regional qualifying rounds for the Magners Scottish Club Golfers championship grand final at Macdonald Cardrona Golf & Country Club, Peebles on Friday, September 15.

Gary, who plays off four, and 12-handicap Ryan had a net eagle at the 10th and seven net birdies in their halves of 31 and 32.

Nairn Dunbar's Neil Howitt (scratch) and George Anderson (handicap 8) also hit the 63 mark but they lost out by one stroke on a comparison of the inward halves. They were out in 30 and home in 33. Neil and George had two net eagles on their card - at the third and the ninth.

Fifiteen club partnerships qualified for Cardrona with net 71 the limit mark. Only two of the five clubs on 71 qualified. A card countback found in favour of Newmachar (inward half 33) and Inchmarlo (inward half 35, last six holes 24). Squeezed out were Nairn (inward half 35, last 6 25), Fortrose & Rosemarkie (inward half 35, last 6 25) and Auchenblae (inward half 36).

More than 23,000 players took part in the qualifying competitions at club level all over Scotland. The field for the grand final will be 60 pairings, made up of 15 from each of the regional rounds.

QUALIFIERS AT MURCAR LINKS

Par 71. Net scores listed.

63 Nigg Bay: G Thom (4), R Elder (12) (better inward half 32); Nairn Dunbar: Neil Howitt (scr), G Anderson (8).

64 Castle Heather: J MacPherson (12), R Fraser (8).

67 Murcar Links: B Hellman (10), S Burt (2).

68 Boat of Garten: F Sharp (4), D Ross (15); East Aberdeenshire: K Forrest (9), D Foreman (6); Turriff: P Mason (9), M Morrison (14).

69 Ballater: A Hicks (7), M Boyle (15); Kintore: F Barclay (7), G Carlier (11).

70 Elgin: L Shanks (10), A MacPherson (8); Tarbat: J Beard (12), R Hart (10); Abernethy: A Bantick (11), T Sayer (18); Banchory: M Taylor (12), T Brebner (10).

71 Newmachar: M Lawrence (scr), J Grant (8); Inchmarlo: C Coutts (10), R Hainey (9).

NON-QUALIFIERS

71 Nairn, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Auchenblae.

72 Duff House Royal, Inverness, Torphins.

73 Hopeman, Reay.

74 Tain.

75 Huntly, Edzell, Inverallochy, Strathlene, Kingussie.

78 Cruden Bay, Garmouth & Kingston.

80 Nineteenth Hole.

82 Peterculter.

96 Letham Grange.

Withdrew: Kinloss.

Disqualified - Charleton, Thurso, Auchmill, Lumphanan.