McCOLL AND WILLIAMSON HAVE CHANCE
OF PASS MARKS AT EURO SENIORS Q SCHOOL

Anglo-Scot Bill McColl and Duncan Williamson from Cambuslang were the only Scots to come through the first day of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 eliminator with any degree of optimisim on the Algarve, Portugal today,
McColl shot a two-over-par 74 to be joint eighth of 72 at the halfway stage at Quinta de Cima Golf Club, Tavira where the course was playing every inch of its 6,728yd.
Meanwhile, at Pinheiros Altos Golf Club, Quinta do Lago, where a stiff breeze added to the degree of difficulty at an already tricky course, Williamson returned a three-over-par 75 to be joint 13th in a field of 74 at this venue where Merseyside-based Stephen Marr had a 79, Mike Thomson from the Borders an 84 and Ronnie McDonald (Inchmarlo, Banchory) a disastrous 86.
Sergio Garcia's father, coach and mentor, Victoria, had to settle for a 78.
Both Stage 1 venues will produce only 50 players at the end of 36 holes to go forward to join 22 exempt players in next week's Final Q School at Carvoeiro, also on the Algarve.

Leading first-day scores:

PINHEIROS ALTOS
Par 72. 6,743yd
70 G Gunn (Can).
71 M Briggs (Eng) (am), J L Gallardo (Spa).
Other scores:
75 D Williamson (Sco) (jt 13th).
78 V Garcia (Spa) (jt 28th).
79 S Marr (Sco) (jt 33rd).
84 M Thomson (Sco) (jt 62nd).
86 R McDonald (Sco) (jt 69th).
QUINTA DE CIMA
Par 72. 6,729yd
69 C Milne (US).
71 M Thomas (US).
72 P Andersson (Swe), A Bownes (Eng).
73 T Carter (Eng) (am), I Crowther (Eng) (am), P O'Boyle (Ire).
Other score:
74 B McColl (Sco) (jt 8th).