SCOTS IN TOP BRACKET OF MCGREGOR TROPHY FIRST-ROUND SCORES

Three Scots are in the top 15 at the end of the first round against the best Under-16 boy golfers in England and farther afield in the English junior championship for the McGregor Trophy at Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club, Lancashire.
James Foster (Waterlooville) and Spain’s Hugo Menendez are the pacemakers on two-under-par 70, four shots under the CSS.

Wet and windy weather at Southport & Ainsdale made it difficult for the 135 competitors. But it didn’t prevent Foster and Menendez from shooting two-under-par 70 to share the lead. They were the only players to beat par in conditions that were tough to handle and even if the pair did get the better of the weather late in the day, their returns were nothing short of superb. They are two strokes ahead of Max Smith from Newbury Racecourse who showed he is a true thoroughbred by returned a fine 72.

Foster, 15, the Hampshire junior champion and junior champion at his club, Waterlooville, had an eagle and four birdies in his 70. What made it even more creditable was that he was two over par after three holes. “It was very windy and we had a lot of rain during the round but you just had to keep going,” he said. “They are not my favourite conditions but you just have to grin and bear it. However, the greens were superb and the course is quality.”

Menendez, a 16 year old under 16 cap from Gijon, had five birdies in his 70 crafted in totally un-Spanish weather. “It was not easy,” he said. “I missed the cut last year so this is better.”

Christopher Robb from Inchmarlo, Banchory and David Law, from Hazlehead, the Aberdeen municipal course, were both on the 74 mark, one ahead of Andrew McLachlan from Eastwood.
McLachlan, picture above by courtesy of TOM WARD, had the potentially unsettling experience of hitting a pigeon in flight with his first shot of the day at the par-3 opening hole.

It was thought at first that the bird had been killed but it had "only" been stunned. After being revived by some spectators, it was last seen flying off in the direction of Royal Birkdale.
Paul McPhee (King James VI) holed a putt on the last green to break 80 with a 79.
Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmhoy) and Daniel Young from the Craigie Hill club, Perth both had 81s. Matthew Reid (Downfield) and Aberdonian William Russell, the 15-year-old MEN’S champion of The Duke’s club at St Andrews both scored 83, one ahead of Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle).
Ian Redford (King James VI) had an 85 and Jack Scott of Deeside an 86.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72. CSS 74.
70 J Foster (Waterlooville), H Menendez (Spa).
72 M Smith (Newbury).
73 A Carson (Long Ashton), T Stuart (St Anne’s Old Links).
74 T Lewis (Mid Herts), R Whiteson (Mourne), R Van West (Ned), A Hall (Bungay & Waveney Valley), L Johnston (Canterbury), C Robb (Inchmarlo), D Law (Hazlehead).
75 A McLachlan (Eastwood), R Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan), A O Jauregui (Spa), T Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall).
Other Scots scores:
79 P McPhee (King James VI).
81 T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy), D Young (Craigie Hill).
83 M Reid (Downfield), W Russell (The Duke’s).
84 C Baird (Bothwell Castle).
85 I Redford (King James VI).
86 J Scott (Deeside).

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