SUTHERLAND CHALICE HAS STRONG FIELD THIS WEEKEND

Although the Scotland international squad is away competing in the European men's team championship in Portugal, there is still a strong field for the Scottish Fuels Sutherland Chalice tournament at Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club this weekend. Four winners on the SGU Order of Merit 72-hole circuit will be bidding for a second success this summer. Last year's Chalice winner James White (Lundin), a former Scottish boys champion, won the Tennant Cup a few weeks back. Scott Crichton (Aberdour), who beat Peterhead's Philip McLean in a play-off for the Cameron Corbett Vase at Haggs Castle last Sunday, is in the field of 81. McLean will be there also.Crichton finished joint third with Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay behind White and runner-up Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) in last year's Chalice. Paul Ferrier (Baberton), like White a former Scottish boys match-play champion, will be bidding to follow up his success in the East of Scotland Open stroke-play. ends