SCOTS WITH TEAR-JERKING TALES OF

WOE IN PGA EUROPRO TOUR EVENT

Englishman Jamie Elson was the first-round leader at the end of a long day in the PGA EuroPro Tour event which started at Collingtree Park Golf Club today.

Elson shot a five-under-par 67 to lead by one shot from compatriots Tom Haylock and Adam Frayne.

Best Scot in the big field was former Scottish boys' match-play champion Paul Doherty, pictured right, based in South Wales. Paul had a 70 (33-37) which should have been a 68 - he had a double bogey 7 at the last hole.

Callum Nicoll from Prestwick is on 71 (34-37) after being three-under-par on the eighth tee following biredies at the second, fourth and seventh.

There were some tear-jerking stories from the rest of the Scots.

Alastair MacKenzie (Liberton) had a scorecard which showed 17 pars and a double-bogey 7 at the fourth for a two-over-par 74.

Stephen Lamb (Broomieknowe) finished on 79 afteer taking 43 shots to reach the turn, including a double bogey 7 at the ninth.

Christopher Campbell, who made the long trip from Skibo Castle north of Inverness, must have wondered if his journey was really necessary after the first nine holes cost him 42. He finished on 80.

Freddy Valentine (Pryors Haines) handed in a 75 (40-35) which had a double bogey 7 at the nine.

Also on 75 were Elliot Saltman from Dalkeith and Aberdonian Neil Mitchell. Rookie Elliot was heading for a decent, sub-par score with two holes to play. Then he ran up a double-bogey 6 at the 17th and a double-bogey 7 at the long 18th in 40 shots from teh turn.

Mitchell, out in 35, was fiddling away until he took a triple bogey 8 at the 18th.

Former Scottish amateur champion Graham Gordon from Aberdeen retired from the tournament with playing a hole, according to the PGA EuroPro Tour website.

SCOREBOARD
Par 72

67 Jamie Elson (Eng).

68 Tom Haylock (The Hertfordshire), Adam Frayne (St Mellion).

69 Dean Barnes (Ferndown), James Bushby (The Shropshire), Alasdair Hay (Royal Winchester), Russell Clayton (Gog Magog)_, Guy Woodman (Stoke Park), Sandeep Grewal (Heswall).

Scots scores:

70 Paul Doherty (Vale of Glamorgan) 33-37 (jt 11th).

71 Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) 34-37 (jt 22nd).

72 Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo) 34-38 (jt 39th).

74 Alastair MacKenzie (Liberton) 38-36 (jt 74th).

75 Freddy Valenti (Pryors Haynes) 40-35, Elliot Saltman (Dalkeith) 35-40, Neil Mitchell (Aberdeen) 35-40 (jt 87th).
76 Lee Harper (Archerfield) 39-37, Chris Kelly (Cawder) 37-39 (jt 103rd).

78 Christopher Farr 37-41 (jt 138th).

79 Stephen Lamb (Broomieknowe) 43-36 (jt 14th).

80 Christopher Campbell (Carnegie Skibo Castle) 43-38 (jt 155th).

Retired: Graham Gordon (Aberdeen).