SCOTS WELL OFF THE PACE AT EUROPEAN
SENIORS TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL
ON PORTUGAL'S ALGARVE

American Chuck Milne and John Hoskison of England showed the beauty of being match fit when they moved into a share of lead at the halfway stage of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School Finals in Portugal.
Both players carded matching second round 67s for a four under par total of 138 on the Pinta Course at the Pestana Golf Resort to grab a two shot lead over Englishmen Bob Larratt and Tim Rastall after both came through Stage One of the qualifying tournament last week at nearby Quinta de Cima.
Indeed Milne, a 59 year old golf coach from Portland, Oregon, won the qualifying tournament with a two under par total of 142 while 49 year old Hoskinson from the Newbury Golf Centre in Berkshire qualified comfortably for the Finals in 13th place.
“I do think it makes a big difference,” admitted Milne, who had six birdies in total in his second round which, like most of the 78 competitors, had been spread over two days thanks to the torrential rain which blighted most of the day’s play on Tuesday.
“I was exempt to the Final Stage last year and didn’t get my card after finishing in a tie for 26th place so I think, having played last week at Quinta de Cima, it has helped me this year because I feel like my game is already in the groove.
“I played really well yesterday and was a little disappointed that I only shot 71 to be honest. But I made some more chances for myself today and thankfully a few went in which sets me up nicely for the last two rounds.”
Joint leader Hoskison produced an ultra steady round – his only departures from par in the first 15 holes coming with birdies at the fourth, tenth, 12th and 15th. He did bogey the 16th after hooking his drive into the trees but recovered superbly with a birdie three at the 17th.
In total, there are 14 cards available for the 2008 European Seniors Tour which kicks off next March with the DGM Barbados Open at Royal Westmoreland where former European Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam will make his Seniors Tour debut.
There will be a cut at the end of round three, the players competing in the last round being those within eight shots of the man who occupies 14th place at that point.

SCOTS SENIORS NEED TO PRODUCE SOMETHING
SPECIAL OVER LAST TWO ROUNDS

Scots Steve Martin, Mike Miller and Bill McColl should beat Thursday's third-round cut in the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School - but they need to produce something special over the last two rounds to get into contention for the 14 players' cards which will go to the leaders at the end of the 72-hole event.
Duncan Williamson from the Kirkhill club, Cambuslang looks to be out of it at the halfway stage in this weather-hit tournament.
Martin (73-75), Miller (77-71) and McColl (74-74) are all on the 148 mark after 36 holes over the par-71 course. The 54-hole cut will chop off those players more than eight shots behind the player or players in 14th position (currently on 144).
Miller's par-matching 71 had birdies at the short ninth and long 12th in halves of 34 and 37.
Anglo-Scot McColl had only one birdie, at the short ninth, in halves of 35 and 39.
Dundee-based Martin birdied the 11th to get back to level par but then had a double bogey at the 14th and dropped more shots at the 15th and 17th for 40 home.
Willaimson had a 79 for 155, including double bogeys at the seventh and 11th and an inward half of six-over-par 43.
American Chuck Milne and Englishman John Hoskison lead by two shots on four-under-par 138, with matching scores of 71 and 67.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2 x 71)
138 C Milne (USA) 71, 67; J Hoskison (Eng) 71, 67.
140 B Larratt (Eng) 67, 73; T Rastall (Eng) 72, 68.
141 J Heggarty (Nir) 72, 69; J Mashego (RSA) 68, 73; B Smit (RSA) 71, 70.
142 T Dill (USA) 73, 69; A Franco (Par) 70, 72; M Thomas (USA) 71, 71; J Hall (Eng) 68, 74.
143 M Fernando (USA) 73, 70; T Gideon (Ger), 74, 69; R Green (Eng) 73, 70.
===PROJECTED CUT-OFF POINT FOR LEADING 14 AFTER 72 HOLES =====
144 P-A Brostedt (Swe) 72, 72; M Johnson (USA) 72, 72; I Mosey (Eng) 72, 72; A Saavedra (Esp) 73, 71; H Woodrome (USA) 73, 71.
145 G Banister (Eng) 70, 75; J Lapsley (Nzl) 73, 72; T Price (Wal) 72, 73.
146 A Barrera (Arg) 73, 73; J L Gallardo (Esp) 73, 73; M Galway (am)(Eng) 73, 73; M Kierstenson (Eng) 73, 73; A McLure (am)(Eng) 76, 70; A Ortiz (Arg) 73, 73; D Stirling (Eng) 72, 74.
147 J Anglada (Esp) 74, 73; T Claassens (RSA) 76, 71; P Dahlberg (Swe) 73, 74; M Edmunds (Eng) 75, 72; F Guedra (Alg) 73, 74; D Hammett (USA) 70, 77; B Hardwick (Can) 73, 74; JP Sallat (Fra) 74, 73.
148 A Bownes (Eng) 73, 75; M Gallagher (Eng) 77, 71; P Henrick (Can) 75, 73; S Martin (Sco) 73, 75; R Masters (Eng) 73, 75; M Miller (Sco) 77, 71; D Young (Eng) 78, 70; B McColl (Sco) 74, 74.
149 J Benda (USA) 75, 74; M Briggs (am)(Eng) 74, 75; B Evans (Eng) 74, 75; S Graham (Eng) 79, 70; G Gunn (Can) 76, 73; A Johnsson (Swe) 75, 74.
150 T Brown (USA) 79, 71; C Hurst (am)(Ire) 77, 73; S Stull (USA) 76, 74; B Todd (NIr) 79, 71.
151 P Andersson (Swe) 75, 76; J Davila (Esp) 76, 75; L Lozano (Esp) 78, 73; R Mann (Eng) 73, 78; P O’Boyle (Ire) 74, 77; G Sharp (USA) 74, 77.
152 E Alessandrini (Ita) 78, 74; D Narveson (USA) 75, 77; B Storman (USA) 75, 77;
153 R Stelten (USA) 74, 79; G Wintz (USA) 78, 75;
154 M Inglis (Eng) 81, 73; G Krause (Eng) 77, 77;
155 N Clarke (RSA) 80, 75; O Moore (Aus) 79, 76; D Williamson (Sco) 76, 79.
156 D Morris (Ire) (am) 76, 80.
158 TR Jones (USA) 78, 80.
159 G Green (USA) 76, 83.
161 F Abreu (Esp) 81, 80.