AMATEUR WELSH FIRST-ROUND LEADER AT SCOTTISH ALLIANCE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Cathkin Braes scratch player Alan Welsh leads the field with a one-under-par 71 after the first round of the Scottish Alliance championship at Buchanan Castle Golf Club, near Drymen. Welsh topped the pros despite four-putting the last green. With a net 71, Alan also shares the lead in the handicap returns with Ian Cameron (Crow Wood) - so a good day for the West Alliance who are the hosts and organisers of this year's 54-hole tournament. Welsh's nearest rivals, a shot behind on par 72 are defending champion Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) and +1 amateur James Hendrick (Pollok). It was Findlay's first competititve round since he turned pro recently. Alan Glass, who plays off 13 at Alloa Golf Club, had a hole in one at the 149yd eighth. He finished with a gross 86, net 73. With heavy overnight rain forecast, organisers John and Margaret Carrell have made contingency plans for a two or four-hour delay in starting times for the second round. If any delay is more than four hours, the championship will be reduced to 36 holes with the second and final round on Thursday (when gale-force winds are forecast!). The number for competitors to call after 7am is 01360 660629 to find out if starting times have been put back.

FIRST ROUND SCRATCH SCORES
Par 72
71 Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes).
72 James Hendrick (Pollok), Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh).
73 James Johnston (Greenburn), David Ferguson (Paisley), Andrew Marshall (Houston), Ross Neill (Drumpellier), Jamie McKay (North Gailes), Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh).
74 David McLure (North Gailes), Joel Hopwood (Carnegie-Skibo).
75 Paul Jamieson (Dunblane New), Hugh Fraser (Niddry), George Wither (Lothianburn),-
76 Barry Campbell (Vale of Leven), Ian Graham (Crow Wood), Ryan Buckley (Craigielaw), Andy Fullen (Largs), James Kinloch (Cardross), Malcolm McPhee (Bishopbriggs), Mike Robson (Harrison), John Fowler (Hayston), Ian Cameron (Crow Wood).
77 James Smallwood (Fereneze), Ryan McCafferty (Fereneze), Len Grindrod (Falkirk Tryst).
78 David Snodgrass (Hilton Park), George Findlay (Ballumbie Castle)..
79 Ewan Grimes (The Carrick).
80 Scott Catlin (Greenburn), Andrew Rothney (Deer Park).
81 Graeme Johnston (Glenbervie), Alan Todd (Turnberry), Jordan Gallagher (Dullatur)..
82 Andrew Sturton (Forrester Park), James Ingram (Boat of Garten), David McKay (Newmachar), Neil McGarva (Kilmacolm), Bob Stewart (Tulliallan).
83 Shaun Clark (Elie), Graham Milne (Aberdour), Jim Duncan (Newburgh on Ythan).
84 Raymond Barton (Alloa), David Wilson (Duff House Royal).
85 Alistair McDonald (Dunnikier Park), Douglas Martin (Crow Wood), Peter Kinloch (Cardross), Stuart Baker (Hilton Park), Charles Cassie (Nigg Bay), Donald Munro (Kingsknowe).
86 Lee Sutherland (Ballumbie Castle), Alan Glass (Alloa), Michael Carrigan (Greenburn), Steve Middleton (Bonnyton).
87 Jonathan D'Aguillar (Glasgow).
88 Robert Marshall (Greenburn), Justin White (Harrison)..
89 Philip Leggate (Musselburgh), Chris Westland (Alloa).
90 David Nelson (Aboyne).
94 Alistair Graham (Aboyne).
95 Peter Guthrie (Peterculter), Peter Jeffrey (Duddingston), John T Anderson (Kingsknowe).
96 Brian Robertson (Forrester Park), John Kinsella (Braemar)
97 Alistair Douglas (Caird Park), Ron Comber (Uphall).
98 Kenneth Thomson (Alloa).
99 John Junior (Hilton Park).
101 Robert McGinty (Vale of Leven).
105 Alexander Bruce (Moray), John Muirden (Leven).
No Returns: William Marr (West Lothan), Gilbert Wilkie (Muckhart), Hugh Burns (Troon Welbeck).


LEADING NET SCORES
71 Ian Cameron (Crow Wood) (5), Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes) (scr).
72 James Johnston (Greenburn) (1), David Ferguson (Paisley) (1).
73 James Kinloch (Cardross) (3), Hugh Fraser (Niddry) (1), Alan Glass (Alloa) (13), James Hendrick (Pollok) (+1).
74 George Wither (Lothianburn) (1).

***DUE to the severe weather warning, the Scottish Golf Union has cancelled the Belhaven Best Captains & Secretaries Championship Grand Final, scheduled for Pollok GC on Wednesday (October 5).