DEER PARK MASTERS DECIDED ON ONE ROUND AFTER RAIN

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

The professionals' final round of the 36-hole Muir Deer Park Masters tournament was cancelled by Scottish PGA Tournament Director Roy Murray, pictured, after overnight rain on an already sodden Livingston course rendered it unfit for play at a pro level.  

No Order of Merit points were awarded but a reduced prizefund was allocated on the basis of first-round scores.

Paul McKechnie's 10-under-par 62 earned the Braid Hills Golf Range professional £1,375.

Runner-up with a 65, Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) earned £1,099 and joint third finishers Gareth Wright (West Linton) and James McKinnon (Irvine) each received £721.

For the benefit of sponsors and their clients, some of whom had travelled from as far away as Aberdeen, two shotgun start pro-ams were played but the pros did not return scores.

Leading team after the morning groups had finished was "Greentech," who had Chris Currie (Caldwell) as their pro and returned a net score of 14-under-par 58.

The amateur trio were Brian Cruickshank (handicap 13), Trevor Kelly (6) and Robert Marshall (9).

But there were two better net totals - both 57 - from the afternoon starters.

Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs Golf Range) led the amateur trio of Deer Park GC members, Greig Rutherford (handicap 11), Bruce Rutherford (18) and Craig Geekie (10), to victory.
They had a better inward half than the team led by Hayston pro Stephen Gray, who also totalled 57