Mark Hillson keeps cool

to stay in Amateur hunt

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
LOTHIANS ace Mark Hillson was rewarded for his calm approach as he sealed a place in the knock-out stages of the Brtitish Amateur Championship at Formby on Merseyside.
The Craigielaw golfer signed off from his qualifying campaign at West Lancs with a one-under 71 for a two-over 146 and grabbed one of the 64+ match-play spots on offer with a shot to spare.
Hillson, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, knew he needed to produce the goods on the final stroke-play day after opening with a 75 but the former Lothians champion held his nerve.
One-over-par after eight holes, Hillson was flirting with an early exit but a wedge to four feet for birdie at 13 boosted his chances and he made sure of a place in the match-play stages for the first time in three attempts with a tap-in birdie at 16.
He beamed: "I'm delighted. It's third-time lucky and I'm going to enjoy the match-play as it's a format I love. I knew it was going to be quite tight but I stayed relaxed as I knew I was playing well."
While Hillson ploughed on, there was disappointment for the rest of the Lothians hopefuls in the field. The Glen's Neil Henderson missed out on a 153 while Baberton's former Scottish boys' champion, Paul Ferrier, exited with a 158.
Dunbar's Alexander Culverwell, the former Lothians title-holder, finished down on the 160 mark.
At the head of affairs, Scone's Gavin Dear led the Scots with a 140, five behind Italian teenager, Matteo Manaserro, who claimed the No.1 qualifying spot with a 135.
Fife duo James White and Greg Paterson and Banchory's former Scottish boys' stroke-play champion James Byrne all eased through on the 143 mark but Nairn's Fraser Fotheringham and Fraserburgh's Kris Nicoll missed out on 148 and 149 respectively. Gordon Yates too totalled 149.
Scotland caps Paul O'Hara (149), Keir McNicoll and Scott Borrowman (both 150), Steven McEwan (151), Wallace Booth (152), Ross Kellett and Michael Stewart (both 153) all crashed out.
So too did Scottish boys champion David Law with 74 and 80 for 154.
Peterhead's Scotland youth cap Philip McLean failed on 157 (74-83), the same mark as the surprise St Andrews Links Trophy winner from Northern Ireland, Alan Dunbar (74-83).

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