Inaugural North District boys' open match-play

ALL HANDS ON DECK AS FORRES
EVENT BEATS THE RAIN

By ROBIN WILSON
SGU North District secretary David Black, local club professional and tournament instigator Sandy Aird and Scottish international Brian Fotheringham all pitched in to clear water from the greens and enable the first and second rounds of the inaugural North District boys’ open match-play championship to be completed on a rain-sodden Forres Golf Club course today.
After leading the Under-18 years’ section qualifiers Neil Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) made a shock exit in the second round to Ryan Penny (Portlethen), who won after just 13 holes.
Host club member James Foley plays Andrew Baillie (Elgin) in the second of Thursday’s semi finals to ensure a North presence in the final.
Foley, who had to play three extra holes to survive his first-round tie, beat the highly rated Aberdeen youngster, Scott Fraser (Northern), in the second round.
Penny takes on another Aberdonian, Scott Robertson (Hazlehead), in the other Under-18 semi final.
The North has four players through to the semi-finals of the Under-15s championship. Peter Ramsay (Elgin) meets Alistair Begg (Muir of Ord) and Kyle Godsman (Hopeman) tackles Jamie Treasurer (Castle Heather) for a place in the final.

Results:

UNDER-18s
FIRST ROUND
N Howitt (Nairn Dunbar) bt A Hay (Grantown on Spey) 2 and 1.
R Penny (Portlethen) bt S Mann (Moray) 2 and 1.
J Thow (Crieff) bt D Macandrew (Hazlehead) 5 and 3.
S Robertson (Hazlehead) bt M. Brand (Tain) 5 and 4.
A Baillie (Elgin) bt S Stables (Elgin) 3 and 1.
C MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) bt B Macleman (Moray) 1 hole.
S Fraser (Northern) bt S Griffiths (Cullen) 5 and 4.
J Foley (Forres) bt A. Dunton (McDonald Ellon) at 21st.
SECOND ROUND
Penny bt Howitt 6 and 5.
Robertson bt Thow 5 and 3.
Baillie bt MacDonald 4 and 3.
Foley bt Fraser 4 and 3.

UNDER-15s
FIRST ROUND
D Edwards (Elgin) bt D Wright (Alness) 3 and 2.
P Ramsay (Elgin) bt C Nelson (Nairn) 2 and 1.
F Clarke (Westhill) bt R Clarke (Moray) at 21st.
A Begg (Muir of Ord)) bt E Duncan (Newtonmore) 8 and 7.
L Reid (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) bt W Rennie (Northern) 1 hole.
K Godsman (Hopeman) bt M Ross (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) 1 hole.
J Treasurer (Castle Heather) bt N MacAndrew (Cullen) 5 and 4.
T Maddocks (Forres) bt C MacLean (Inverness) 7 and 5.
SECOND ROUND
Ramsay bt Edwards 3 and 2.
Begg bt F.Clark 3 and 2.
Godsman bt Reid 2 and 1.
Treasurer bt Maddocks 8 and 6.