Russell and Dear off to good start in France

Raymond Russell and Gavin Dear made solid starts to the Finale Allianz de Barbaroux at Barbaroux Golf Club in France. Russell, who last week won himself a place on the 2011 European Tour, shot a two-under-par 70 to be to be lying sixth behind five Frenchman.

Russell birdied the third, 14th, 15th and 17th but bogeyed the 13th and 18th in halves of 34 and 36.
Dear went out in 35 and back in 36 in a scorecard that showed only three deviations from par - birdies at the par-5 third and 17th and a single bogey at the 13th.
LEADERBOARD
Par 72
Players from France unless stated
68 Alexandre Kaleka, Alan Bihan, Julien Guerrier.
69 Victor Dubuisson, Edouard Dubois.
70 Agus Domingo (Spain), Raymond Russell (Scotland), Victor Rui.
Other scores:
71 (jt 9th) Gavin Dear (Scotland).
72 (jt 17th) Matthew Cryer (England).
75 (jt 34th) Matthew Baldwin (England).
76 (jt 38th) Sam Robinson (England), Jason Palmer (England).
78 (jt 47th) Farren Keenan (England).

BYRNE BACK IN WORLD TOP TWENTY

James Byrne's joint fourth in the individual standings at last week's world amateur team championship has enabled him to climb back into the top 20 of the revised R and A World Amateur Golf Rankings.
The Banchory man, a student at Arizona State University, has gone up three places to No 19.
Scottish champion Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) has gone up eight places to No 53 but Ross Kellett (Colville Park), who completed only one round of the Eisenhower Trophy due to illness, has fallen 17 places to No 90.
The next best Scot in the world rankings is Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol who has gone down three places to 154.
Former US college circuit player Scott Crichton (Aberdour) has gone up 34 places to No 260, even though he left Western New Mexico University at the end of the 2009-2010 season.
Angus MacBride of the RandA WAGR backroom team explains:
"Scott Crichton has not played in a WAGR recognised event since 2010/32. An event from 2009/44 dropped out for calculation purposes of 2010/44 with the result that although he lost 14 points, he also lost a divisor of 3 and his average improved. Even though he has not played recently his ranking has improved due to these circumstances."

REVISED RandA WORLD AMATEUR RANKINGS
1 Peter Uihlein (US) no change.
2 David Chung (US) no change.
3 Romain Wattel (France) no change.
4 Andrea Pavan (Italy) no change.
5 Kevan Tway (US) no change.

SCOTS' RANKINGS IN TOP 300
19 James Byrne +3.
53 Michael Stewart +8.
90 Ross Kellett -17.
154 Kris Nicol -3.
184 Stuart Ballingall -8.
260 Scott Crichton +34.
278 James White -3.
288 Scott Larkin -3.

WORLD NO 4 AMATEUR PAVAN TURNS PRO

NEWS RELEASEItalian golfer Andrea Pavan has signed a long term, exclusive representation contract with 4SPORTS and ENTERTAINMENT, the leading Swiss sports management agency.

Pavan, who has shone on the World stage as an amateur golfer, has taken the decision to turn to the professional ranks of the game following his participation in the recent World Amateur Team Championships in Argentina. From the rankings in 2010 it is clear to see that the prospects look extremely good for the 21 year old from Rome, having been ranked 5th on the R and A’s World Amateur Rankings, 2nd on the EGA’s European Amateur Rankings, and 1st on the Italian National Rankings.

Pavan, who in December will be graduating in Economics from the Texas A and M University in the US, has recorded impressive results both through his college career in the States and across Europe. At Texas A and M, he was a first team All-American this year and also a winner of the John Burns Intercollegiate event in Hawaii. He also tied 3rd in the Big 12 Championship and picked up the Ellis Leadership Award from the University. In the last 18 months alone he’s had 25 rounds of par or better in competition play and in 2009 he was a member of the team that won the NCAA Championship, the most prestigious event in US college golf.

Outside of the US, Pavan was a member of Team Europe to play against GB amd I for the boys' Jacques Leglise Trophy from 2004-2006, and again for the men's St. Andrews Trophy in 2008. He was also a member of the European Team that took on the USA for the Palmer Cup in both 2009 and 2010.
He has been a quarter-finalist at the British Amateur Championship in 2008 and 2010, and was runner up at the European Amateur Championship earlier this year. A member of the Italian National squad since 2002, Pavan enjoyed a succession of wins as a junior where he took the U14 and U16 Italian Championships and also held the title of Italian Stroke Play Champion in 2005 and 2007. In 2006 he won the ‘Omnium’ in Italy, the equivalent of the National Pro Championships.
On signing with 4SPORTS, Andrea commented “I am very much looking forward to working closely with the team at 4sports. I have followed of course with great interest Edoardo Molinari’s career and it gives me great confidence that I will be in the same stable as him, and that the team at 4sports already have a great positioning within the Italian market.”

“Andrea is another very talented golfer from Italy who we believe has the potential to follow Edoardo Molinari to the top of the world game”, said Marcus Day, Managing Director 4sports Golf Division. “Italian golf is currently riding the crest of a wave and Andrea has the attributes to be a major part of this. 4sports are very much looking forward to helping Andrea achieve his goals in the professional game.”

Greig Hutcheon wins PGA Play-offs ... after a play-off

FROM THE PGA WEBSITE
Banchory's Greig Hutcheon held his nerve in a three-man showdown to complete the most memorable year of his career by winning the Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Little Aston, Birmingham today.
The 37-year-old, who won the PGA Scottish Region's Order of Merit, sank a 15 foot putt for a birdie on the first play-off hole to repel the challenges of James Harris and Richard O'Hanlon.
The putt not only earned the Scot first prize of £2,000 but also entry into next year's Celtic Manor Welsh Open and three Challenge Tour events.
Hutcheon had already qualified for the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond as a result of winning his homeland Order of Merit.
And with the possibility of some invitations to other European Tour events in the offing, Hutcheon has had to rethink next year's schedule.
Hutcheon had decided to end his long quest to become a European Tour regular, not least because of the birth of his first child earlier this year.

"It can be hard doing it week in week out for as long as I did," he said before Little Aston.

"My circumstances have also changed at home with the wee boy and I'll be more than happy to play in Scotland."

Victory in the Play-Offs and its beneficial spin-offs, however, has changed that and he added: "It looks as though I'm going to have a few European Tour events to play in, so I'm more than happy to give them a go."

As well as looking forward, Hutcheon also reflected on the part two senior PGA members have played in his success.

Ironically, he was trained at Knole Park in Kent by Peter Gill, who began his career as an assistant at Little Aston to Charlie Ward.

And he was also indebted to legendary PGA coach Bob Torrance for advice he gave him at Gleneagles earlier this year.

Hutcheon recalled: "I was hoping to get a late spot in the Johnnie Walker and practising on the range when Bob Torrance came along. I told him I was having a few problems with my game and he asked me what was the strongest part of my body. When I replied 'my legs', he told me to start using them properly.
"Since then my game's been great and I haven't looked back."
Hutcheon, who was second overnight and followed up his first round of 68 with a 69 to finish seven-under-par, was forced to look over his shoulder by both O'Hanlon and Harris.
O'Hanlon, the PGA pro at Llanhydrock in Cornwall who was level par after the first day, gate-crashed the three-way play-off by carding the round of the tournament.
His seven-under-par 65 was bogey-free and included an eagle and five birdies. Three of those came in the last four holes but he was unable to continue that momentum into the play-off, bowing out with a bogey to finish third.
That earned him £1,200 and qualification for the Barclay Scottish Open and four Challenge Tour events, a scenario he agreed was unlikely at the start of the day.
"Getting anything after starting at level par is great, he said. "But I should have been awarded an extra 500 quid for that round!"
Harris, from the Nevil Club in Kent who began the day five shots adrift of overnight leader Matt Morris and three behind Hutcheon, also carded an eagle, chipping in at the par five 12th en route to a round of 66.
And he came within inches of following suit at the first play-off hole with a superb escape from a bunker to force Hutcheon to sink his putt for victory.
By way of consolation, Harris has also qualified for the Barclay Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and four Challenge Tour events.

SRIXON PGA PLAY-OFFS FINAL RESULT
Little Aston GC
Par 144 (2x72)
1   137 -7 Greig Hutcheon (SCO) Banchory 68 69 (£2,000)
2= 137 -7 Richard O'Hanlon (ENG) Lanhydrock 72 65 (£1,350).
2= 137 -7 James Harris (ENG) Nevill 71 66 (£1,350).
4   139 -5  Craig Lee (SCO) Aspire Golf Centre 72 67 (£1,000).
5= 141 -3 Cameron Clark (NI) Moor Hall 72 69 (£775)
5= 141 -3 Mathew Morris (ENG) Walmley 66 75 (£775).
7= 142 -2 Chris Doak (SCO) Unattached 71 71 (£675).
7= 142 -2 David Mortimer (IRE) Fore Ireland 70 72 (£675).
9= 143 -1 Richard Wallis (ENG) Walmer and Kingsdown 72 71 (£600)
9= 143 -1 David Higgins (IRE) Waterville Golf Links 71 72 (£600).
9= 143 -1 Paul Streeter (ENG) Lincoln Golf Centre 71 72 (£600).
12= 144 Par Andrew Pestell (WAL) Chelmsford 74 70 (£512.50).
12= 144 Par Richard Dinsdale (WAL) Parc Golf Academy 73 71 (£512.50).
12= 144 Par Jason Levermore (ENG) Clacton 71 73 (£512.50).
12= 144 Par John Wells (ENG) Cherry Burton 69 75 (£512.50).
16   145 +1 David Shacklady (ENG) Mossock Hall 69 76 (£450).
17= 146 +2 Craig Cowper (ENG) Horton Park 76 70 (£435)
17= 146 +2 Brett Taylor (ENG) Chelmsford 74 72 (£435).
19= 148 +4 Damian Mooney (IRE) unattached 74 74 (£415)
19= 148 +4 Steven Parry (ENG) North West Golf Academy 73 75 (£415).
21   151 +7 Andrew Sherborne (ENG) Kendleshire 76 75 (£400).

HSBC CHAMPIONS TEES OFF AT SHANGHAI

Westwood one behind Franceso Molinari
FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Lee Westwood made an impressive return to action in China to lie just one shot behind Ryder Cup teammate Francesco Molinari at the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions.
Italian Molinari produced a masterclass in iron play as he shot a bogey-free seven under par round of 65 at Sheshan to lead from newly crowned World Number One Westwood.
Molinari began on the back nine and carded consecutive birdies at the 13th and 14th before picking up another shot at the short par four 16th to turn in 33.
But the highlight of the 27 year old's round came in a run of four successive birdies, which began with a chip-in at the third.
He then hit a string of approach shots close, highlighted by his tee shot at the par three sixth which was struck straight at the flag, before he confidently holed a difficult eight foot downhill putt.
"It was a great start and I'm happy with the game," said Molinari.
"I hit three great iron shots into four, five and six and holed the putts. It was a very good round, very consistent."
Westwood ended Tiger Woods' five-year reign at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking without hitting a ball on Monday as he recovered from a calf injury, but was well aware in the build-up to this week that he would need to maintain his excellent form from the last two years in order to remain there.
"I just went out there to enjoy myself as World Number One and have a bit of fun," said Westwood, who showed no signs of rust on his first appearance since the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as he carded a six under 66.
"I played well, I've been hitting it alright on the range.
"Not that I need to justify why I'm World Number One when I go out there, but it is nice to play well when you go out there after moving up the rankings.
"I'd like to reinforce the message even more by winning more tournaments."
Like his Ryder Cup teammate Molinari, Westwood started on the back nine and posted three birdies on the way out - it would have been four but for his putt at the 18th lipping out.
He then birdied the first from five feet and hit his tee shot at the sixth to within a foot but dropped his first shot of the day at the seventh.
But he responded in brilliant fashion, birdieing his last two holes - including a difficult putt at the ninth.
"I was a little bit surprised," admitted Westwood, who is playing only his third event since being forced out of the WGC- Bridgestone Invitational in August.
"I didn't really go out on the golf course with a number in mind, because I've played one strokeplay round since The Open Championship so I didn't really know what to expect. I've been at home unable to practice, I've just been trying to get my leg right."
There was more good news for the European contingent as Sweden's Henrik Stenson shot a five under 67 for a share of third, alongside Korea's Noh Seung-yul and Japan's Yuta Ikeda.
Woods, Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer can all make Westwood's stint at the top of the rankings a brief one this week, and despite the Englishman's good start he still has work to do to ensure a second week as World Number One.
Woods is lurking dangerously after a four under 68 which left him level with England's Luke Donald and Spain's Pablo Martin in a tie for sixth, while Mickelson is only one behind his compatriot.
Race to Dubai leader Kaymer opened with a level par 72, but his closest challenger for the European Number One spot is two over after Graeme McDowell carded a 74.

SCOREBOARD
Par 72
65 Francesco Molinari (Ita)
66 Lee Westwood
67 Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Yuta Ikeda (Jpn), Henrik Stenson (Swe)
68 Tiger Woods (USA), Luke Donald, Pablo Martin (Spa)
69 Richie Ramsay, Ross Fisher, Adam Scott (Aus), Ryan Palmer (USA), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Katsumasa Miyamoto (Jpn), Phil Mickelson (USA), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Y.E. Yang (Kor)
70 Hunter Mahan (USA), Richard S Johnson (Swe), Retief Goosen (Rsa), Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington, 71 Michio Matsumura (Jpn), Anders Hansen (Den), David Horsey, Matteo Manassero (Ita), Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Heath Slocum (USA), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Ben Crane (USA), Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler (USA), Carl Pettersson (Swe)
72 Nick Watney (USA), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Kyung-Tae Kim (Kor), Bill Haas (USA), Ernie Els (Rsa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita), Jason Bohn (USA), Marcus Fraser (Aus), Stuart Appleby (Aus), Michael Sim (Aus), Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), Robert Allenby (Aus), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Jpn), K J Choi (Kor), Shunsuke Sonoda (Jpn), Richard Green (Aus), Tim Clark (Rsa)
73 Peter Hanson (Swe), Anthony Kim (USA), Arjun Atwal (Ind), Paul Casey, Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Andrew Dodt (Aus), Darren Fichardt (Rsa)
74 Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Tha), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Graeme McDowell, Alistair Presnell (Aus), Alvaro Quiros (Spa)
75 Camilo Villegas (Col), Rhys Davies, Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha), Kang-Chun Wu (Chn), Hiroyuki Fujita (Jpn), Mardan Mamat (Sin)
76 Brendan Jones (Aus), Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn), Simon Khan
77 Danny Willett
78 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha), Bill Lunde (USA)
79 Li Chao (Chn), Hao Yuan (Chn), Liang Wen-Chong (Chn)

PAGUNSAN POWERS INTO HALFWAY LEAD AT BALI

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Bali, November 4: Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines produced a sparkling five-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead from former Ryder Cup star Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden at the halfway stage of the inaugural Bali Open today.
The sweet-swinging Filipino lit up his game with five birdies at the challenging New Kuta Golf Resort to top the US$60,000 Asian Development Tour event on five-under-par 139.
Sandelin, playing on a sponsor’s invite, moved into contention with a battling 69 while Japan ’s Masaki Sakata shot a 68 for third place. Singapore amateur Lam Zhiqun returned a commendable 70 to share fourth position with Australian Richard Moir (72) while Indonesia’s Rory Hie stumbled to a 74 to sit five back.
In what is the final event of the year on the Asian Development Tour, Malaysia ’s Akhmal Tarmizee left himself in a precarious position after missing the halfway cut by one shot with a disappointing 82.
With the top three players on the Order of Merit winning Asian Tour cards for 2011, the young Malaysian will have an anxious wait to see if his closest rivals will overtake him on the rankings.
Pagunsan, who has one Asian Tour victory in Indonesia , was delighted with his sterling effort. “I played well and all parts of my game clicked. I made a lot of putts from inside of 10 feet and it’s nice when this happens,” said Pagunsan.
“The course was not easy with the winds blowing but I hit it really good. This is good preparation for me as well for the Barclays Singapore O pen next week,” added the Filipino, who birdied the 18th, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth holes.
Sandelin, who has five European Tour victories, coped better with the tricky greens at New Kuta as he hit four birdies. “I played good from tee to green and managed to get the speed of the greens right. I’m happy to be up there. All good things have to start from somewhere, so I’m looking for a good finish here,” said the Swede.
“This year, I felt I’ve played better than my results have shown but a big part of the game is down to putting. If it turns around here, it could make a difference.”
Lam, a national amateur player for Singapore , took advantage of his length to birdie three of the par fives. “I made only small mistakes. It was pretty solid as it was quite windy especially on the front nine. I’m just trying to finish as high as possible this week and I feel I’m playing well enough,” said the 21-year-old.
Hie, ranked seventh on the merit list, needs nothing less than a victory to have a chance of finishing in the top-three but made life a bit harder with a round littered by errors. “I didn’t take advantage of my early start time and I had a bad start with two bogeys in the first three holes,” said the 22-year-old.
“I kept hitting it a club shorter for some reason and didn’t putt well enough. It seems like I didn’t focus well out there. It’s a good thing I’m still in the hunt and I’m going to give it a shot.”
Akmal was disappointed to bow out meekly of the Bali O pen . “It was a bad day. I couldn’t get my swing going for two days and it was a real struggle out there. I’ll just have to wait and see what hap pen s with the other players. I can’t do much more than that,” said the 20-year-old.
Leading second round scores
139: Juvic Pagunsan (Phi) 72-67
140: Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 71-69
141: Masaki Sakata (Jpn) 73-68
143: Lam Zhiqun (Sin) 73-70, Richard Moir (Aus) 71-72
144: Rory Hie (Ina) 70-74, Simon Dunn (Sco) 75-69
145: Chang Tse- pen g (Tpe) 71-74, Andik Mauludin (Ina) 71-74
146: Tseng Hua-yen (Tpe) 70-76
147: Hsu Jia-chen (Tpe) 77-70, Chang Chi-wei (Tpe) 75-72, Stephen Lindskog (Swe) 72-75, T.J. Kim (Kor) 77-70

Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance

Last man out Richard Johnston is winner at The Roxburghe 

By ALAN GREENSHIELDS
Secretary/Treasurer, Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance
On a frost-free day, which cancelled the outing two weeks ago,74 players enjoyed the fifth outing of the season at The Roxburghe and the quick summary is that the last man out got first prize.
Amateur Richard Johnston of Glenbervie, with a 69 less 1, equalled best scratch and handicap score on the day. His net 68 secured The Bootland Trophy on a better inward half from William Laing of Prestonfield. His scratch score of 69 equalled that of Broomieknowe professional Stephen Lamb.
The Lamb family were also in the prizes via Stephen's brother Justin of Glencorse who scored a 72 less 3 to secure the second Handicap prize with a net 69.
Senior prize on the day went to David McKean of Cardronna with a net 75 and the Trainee Professional prize went to Daniel Wood of Eyemouth for the second outing in a row with a score of 75.

Next outing will be on Wednesday, November 10 at Lothainburn Golf Club.

SUMMARY OF LEADING WEDNESDAY PRIZEWINNERS
Bootland Trophy
Overall Winner: Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) 68 bih
Scratch
1st = £90: Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) 69
1st = £90: Stevie Lamb (Broomieknowe) 69
3rd £60: Terry Mathieson (Dunbar) 71
4th £40: Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 72
5th = £10: Stuart Callan (Bathgate) 73
5th = £10: Scott Grieve (Turnhouse) 73


Handicap
Prizes in vouchers
1st £100: Willie Laing (Prestonfield) 68
2nd £80: Justin Lamb (Glencorse) 69
3rd £60: Jamie Morris (Peebles) 73
4th = £20: Graeme Johnston (Glenbervie) 74
4th = £20: Callum Nisbet (Bathgate) 74
4th = £20: Justin White (Harrison, Braids) 74

Trainee Prize
£20: Daniel Wood (Eyemouth) 75


Senior Prize
£20: David McKean (Cardrona) 75

LEADING SCRATCH SCORES
1 Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) 69
2 Stevie Lamb (Broomieknowe) p 69
3 Terry Mathieson (Dunbar) trainee 71
4 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) trainee 72
5 Jamie Morris (Peebles) 72
6 Justin Lamb (Glencorse)  72
7 Scott Grieve (Turnhouse) p 73
8 Stuart Callan (Bathgate) p 73
9 Chris Morris (Kingsknowe) p 74
10 William Laing (Prestonfield) 75
11 Daniel Wood (Eyemouth) trainee 75
12 Ross Neill (Drumpellier) p 76
13 Michael McAllan (Glenbervie) p 76
14 Mike Robson (Harrison, Braids) 76
15 George Wither (Lothianburn)76
16 Jonnie Cliff (Murrayfield) p 77
17 Sean McGarvey (Glencorse) 77
18 Peter Lamb (Biggar) 77
19 Scott Catlin (Greenburn) p 78
20 Justin White (Harrison, Braids) 78
21 Donny Munro (Kingsknowe) 78
22 Thomas Cordery (Musselburgh) 79
23 Graeme D Johnston (Glenbervie) 79
24 Andrew Rothney (Deer Park) 79
25 Callum Nisbet (Bathgate) 79
26 Grant Skinner (Glencorse) 79
27 George Black (Torwoodlee) 79
28 Steven Doyle (Gifford)  80

Greig Hutcheon in good shape at

Little Aston

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
Banchory's Greig Hutcheon made a purposeful start to his challenge in the Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Little Aston in Birmingham yesterday.
The Tartan Tour's order of merit winner posted a four-under 68 to sit in second place at the halfway stage, two shots behind local hopeful Matt Morris.

Hutcheon, pictured, who is looking to add to the starts he already has in the BMW PGA championship and the Barclays Scottish Open, made an early move with three birdies on his opening seven holes. Despite spilling shots at nine and 13, the former Challenge Tour champion kept himself within sight of Morris with a further trio of birdies.

Chris Doak, the new Scottish PGA champion and the winner of the play-offs at Royal Liverpool in 2008, opened with a one-under 71 to share sixth while Stirling's Craig Lee posted a level-par 72.

At the head of the pack, Morris, the PGA's Midland region No 1 and the pro at the Walmley club in nearby Sutton Coldfield, powered to the front with a 66.

The 32-year-old reeled off six birdies in a tidy round as he moved into pole position for the £2,000 first prize as well as invitations to a number of European Tour and Challenge Tour events.
PGA WEBSITE SCOREBOARD
FIRST ROUND

Pos.	Score	Par+	Name	Represents	Card
1	66	-6	Mathew Morris (ENG)	Walmley	»»
2	68	-4	Greig Hutcheon (SCO)	Banchory	»»
3=	69	-3	David Shacklady (ENG)	Mossock Hall	»»
			John Wells (ENG)	Cherry Burton	»»
5	70	-2	David Mortimer (IRE)	Fore Ireland	»»
6=	71	-1	James Harris (ENG)	Nevill	»»
			Paul Streeter (ENG)	Lincoln Golf Centre	»»
			Chris Doak (SCO)	Unattached	»»
			David Higgins (IRE)	Waterville Golf Links	»»
			Jason Levermore (ENG)	Clacton	»»
11=	72	Par	Cameron Clark (NI)	Moor Hall	»»
			Richard O'Hanlon (ENG)	Lanhydrock	»»
			Craig Lee (SCO)	Aspire Golf Centre	»»
			Richard Wallis (ENG)	Walmer & Kingsdown	»»
15=	73	+1	Steven Parry (ENG)	North West Golf Academy	»»
			Richard Dinsdale (WAL)	Parc Golf Academy	»»
17=	74	+2	Brett Taylor (ENG)	Chelmsford	»»
			Damian Mooney (IRE)	Unattached	»»
			Andrew Pestell (WAL)	Chelmsford	»»
20=	76	+4	Craig Cowper (ENG)	Horton Park	»»
			Andrew Sherborne (ENG)	Kendleshire	»»

KRIS NICOL IN ACTION ... IMAGE BY TOM WARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Eye-catching Kris Nicol sweeps into

Walker Cup frame

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol has leapt ahead of David Law, Philip McLean and Jordan Findlay in the race to back up James Byrne's bid to provide a North-East representation in next year's Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen.
Nicol, pictured, who wasn't even capped at full level a year ago, is one of four Scots in the Great Britain and Ireland squad for the match against the Americans, joining Banchory's Byrne, Ross Kellett of Colville Park and Troon Welbeck's Michael Stewart.
Unlike the other three, Nicol wasn't in a similar squad for this year's St Andrews Trophy, a match against the Continent of Europe that is used by the GB and I selectors to shape the team for the Walker Cup.
However, the 26-year-old greenkeeper has put himself in the frame for an appearance in the biennial event on his own doorstep thanks to some eye-catching performances, notably finishing runner-up in both the Lytham Trophy and Irish Open Stroke Play Championship.
Nigel Edwards, the GB and I captain, said Nicol had earned his place in the 23-strong squad as he looked to be "a player with great potential". The Welshman added: "When Kris was in contention this year, he didn't look overawed. In terms of international golf, he is quite a late developer, but there is always room for older players, as I proved myself."
Admitting he is keen to encourage as much local support as he can muster at Balgownie, Edwards is hoping their inclusion in the squad will encourage both Nicol and Byrne to "push forward" between now and the team of ten being picked next August.
That gives the likes of Hazlehead teenager Law, the double Scottish champion last year, Peterhead's McLean and Findlay, Nicol's clubmate and former British Boys' champion, plenty of time to reignite their claims, with the door being left open to players who are not in the squad.
"It would be nice if we were in a position where we are choosing the ten players from 20 as opposed to having eight and needing to add two to eight," said Edwards when asked about the merits of some of the Scottish hopefuls.
"Jordan's form is on the rise, getting back to near where he was before he went to college in the States. After making a lot of progress, David had gone back a bit, though some injury problems were the reason for that.

"He finished the season strongly and there is no reason why he can't force his way on to the team."
The squad, which will take part in a training get-together at Portmarnock next month before visiting Royal Aberdeen next spring - the match itself i

s on 10-11 September - includes all 12 of the players who represented GB&I's constituent countries at the World Amateur Team Championship.
In addition to helping Scotland, the defending champions, finish a creditable fifth behind winners France in Argentina, Byrne further underlined his rising status by tying for fourth in the individual standings with American Peter Uihlein, the world No 1."It is interesting that James seems to do better away from college tournaments," noted Edwards of the Scot, who reached the final of this year's Amateur Championship at Muirfield, where he lost to South Korean Jin Jeong.
"We need strong players against the Americans, no doubt about that, and James's performance in the Eisenhower Trophy performance can give him the confidence to land a couple of big wins."
Stiggy Hodgson, who won two points in the defeat at Merion last year, is the sole player in the squad with a Walker Cup appearance to his name. The 21-year-old heads a sizeable English contingent that also includes Laurie Canter and Tyrrell Hatton, both of whom qualified for this year's Open at St Andrews, as well as 2009 British Boys' champion Tom Lewis and Chris Lloyd.
"I have no doubt that every one of the 23 players we have selected could acquit themselves well in next year's match, said Edwards. "But it is up to them to show that they are ready for the challenge that the USA will present by performing with distinction and backing up their most recent performances during the season to come."

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE NAMES OF THE GB AND I PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR NEXT YEAR'S WALKER CUP MATCH AT BALGOWNIE.