DUNTON, MAXWELL SHARE EARLY LEAD IN SUTHERLAND CHALICE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Adam Dunton's long trip to Dumfries from Ellon, Aberdeenshire met with early success in the Scottish Fuels Sutherland Chalice 72-hole Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit tournament at Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club. Dunton, a member of McDonald Golf Club, shared the first-round lead with Steven Maxwell from Windyhill, Glasgow. Both set a hot pace with six-under-par 64s. They led by one shot from Sean McGarvey (Glencorse). Defending champion and winner of the recent Tennant Cup, James White (Lundin) was one of four players sharing fourth place on 67. Some of the bigger name players did not do so well. Scott Crichton (Aberdour) and Philip McLean (Peterhead), play-off contestants at the conclusion of the Cameron Corbett Vase at Haggs Castle GC last Sunday - Crichton won - were in danger of missing the cut after rounds of 74 and 75 respectively. FIRST ROUND LEADERS Par 70 64 Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon), Steven Maxwell (Windyhill). 65 Sean McGarvey (Glencorse). 67 James White (Lundin), Steven Rennie (Drumpellier), Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire Co), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie). 68 Peter Latimer (St Andrews New), Liam Johnston (Dumfries and Co), Brian Soutar (Leven). 69 Scott Brown (Turnberry), Fraser McKenna (Balmore), Conor O'Neil (Pollok), Mark Bookless (Sandyhills). 70 Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle), Sebastian Backlund (Sweden), Scott Young (Turnhouse). 71 Paul Shields (Kirkhill), Ben Renfrew (The Wynyard), Ross Bell (Downfield), Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes), Andrew Weir (Montrose Mercantile). 72 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), Michael Daily (Erskine), Clark Riddick (Southerness), Stephen Cairns (Southerness), Angus Carrick (Douglas Park), Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar). 73 Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), Nick MacAndrew (Cullen), Horacio Leon (Chile), Graeme McDougall (Bishopbriggs), Scott Borrowman (Dollar), Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire), Simon H Lockhart (Bathgate), Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe), Brian Burgess (Dumfriess and Galloway), Paul Ferrier (Baberton), Rory Thompson (Dumfries and Galloway). Other scores: 74 Scott Crichton (Aberdour). 75 Philip McLean (Peterhead). 77 Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs), Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth). ends