JAMES ROSS FINISHES SECOND, BEATEN BY ONE SHOT, IN AMERICA

JAMES ROSS: GOOD START SINCE TRANSFER TO HOUSTON UNIVERSITY  By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com James Ross from Edinburgh, now a student at the University of Houston after two years at Michigan State University, finished a close runner-up in the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic college golf tournament at the Warren golf course, South Bend, Indiana today. Ross shot 72, 70 and 69 for a one-over-par total of 211 over a long course, 7023yd, with a testing par of 70. Ross will be rueing a double bogey 6 at the eighth in his second round.for he finished only one shot behind the winner, Paul McConnell (Texas-Arlington) with scores of 71, 68 and 71 for level par 210. There were 70 players in the field. A member of Royal Burgess, Ross, who finished a close runner-up in the Leven Gold Medal before he turned to the States, helped Houston tie with St Mary's (California) on 870 at the head of the team title event. Minnesota (873) finished third. There was no doubt a play-off for the team title but it will be breakfast time tomorrow morning before we can tell you how that finished. PAUL FERRIER jt 33rd in VIRGINIA SHOOTOUT Former Scottish boys match-play champion Paul Ferrier of Baberton, a student at Charlotte University, finished joint 33rd in a field of 90 players at the VCU Shootout at Hermiatage Country Club, Manakin-Sabon,Virginia. Ferrier, pictured left, had fluctuating scores of 76, 69 and 73 for a total of two-over-par 218 over a par-73 course of 6955yd. Another man from the Lothians, Neil Henderson from North Berwick, a student at Old Dominion University, finished joint 47th. Neil had scores of 72, 72 and 76 for a total of 220 against a par of 216 (3x72) over a 6955yd course for a total . He finished 15 shots behind the winner Scott Fernandez (Iowa State) who shot 66, 69 and 70 for 11-under-par 205. Another Old Dominion student, Tom Wilde, from Berkshire, shot

79, 71 and 71 for 222 and a share of 61st lace.
A third ODU student, Garth McGee from Bangor, N Ireland - that's where Rory McIlroy has his mansion - finished joint 68th on 225 with scorfes of 76, 76 and 73.
Hosts Virginia (837) won the team title ahead of East Carolina (844) with Charlotte (863) joint seventh of 15 participating teams.