Richard Valentine leads the Scots challenge

in Powerade PGA Assistants Championship

By RON MARSHALL, PGA Press Officer
Craigielaw’s Richard Valentine spearheaded the Scottish challenge in today's opening round of the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship, in association with Footjoy, at The London Club, Kent.
The 32-year-old fired a two-under 70 to take second place, a shot behind 2007 winner, Jonathan Lupton from Newcastle, and defending champion, Guy Woodman (East Berks). Starting at the 10th, Valentine reached the turn in 37, one over, but three successive birdies from the second transformed his card.
A seven-iron to 15 feet, and the same club to two feet at the short third, followed by a pitching wedge to the same distance at the fourth were all holed for birdies. A pushed tee shot at the 454-yard sixth led to a bogey, but the East Lothian pro redeemed himself at the next, a 187-yarder, leaving his five-iron tee shot no more than three feet from the flag.
Former Walker Cup player David Patrick from Elie was twice two under par and twice was pulled back to par, signing for halves of 36.
LEADING FIRST ROUND TOTALS
Par 72
69 J Lupton (Close House), G Woodman (East Berks).
70 R Valentine (Craigielaw), R Berry (Cleeve Hill).
71 A Taylor (St George’s Hill), D Seymour (Newbury), B Scott (Clitheroe).
72 G Hamerton (Brookdale), D Patrick (Elie), B Welch (Remedy Oak).
73 N Drane (Whittlebury Park), S Runcie (Abergele), C Gill (Exeter).
74 G Cowan (Westerhope), C Dempster (Inchmarlo).
Other Scottish scores:
74 C Dempster (Inchmarlo).
75 G Fox (East Kilbride).
78 P McLachlan (West Kilbride).
79 M Barnard (Inchmarlo).
80 A Martin (Dunbar).
81 I Colquhoun (Dundonald).
83 G Mackay (Prestonfield), R Gaden (Gleneagles).
84 A McDonald (Elie), R Ewen (West Lothian).
85 G Stewart (Gleddoch)
81 D Blackadder (Kingsbarns)
.