ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES SCOREBOARD

AT HAZLEHEAD NO 1 COURSE

FIRST ROUND

TRANSOCEAN w.o. DYNAMIC ELECTRICAL scr

TULLOCH RECRUITMENT bt TEACHERS by eight holes
(T Allan, J Hewitt 2, R Anderson, S Donald 0; G Allan, S Allan 6, A Jenkins, A Liversedge 0).

PSN and ABERDEEN MOTOR TRADES - both withdrew

MEAT TRADE w.o. ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY scr

GRAMPIAN FIRE BRIGADE and SURVEYORS - both withdrew

BAKER HUGHES bye into second round.

AMC/FORUM ENGINEERING w.o. PRESS scr

SPARROWS GROUP w.o. CORN TRADE scr

GREENKEEPERS bt ROYAL MAIL 1 by eight holes
(G Mitchell, D Erlick 6, G Gilbert, R Mess 0; R MacRae, D Grant 3, R McKen, R Stewart 0).

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS w.o. INSURANCE scr.

PLUMBERS bye into second round.

GRAMPIAN POLICE BT R and C CONSTRUCTION at 19th
(J Caulder, B Ritchie 2, J Spiers, K Allan 0; E Duthie, D McCormack 0, C Simpson, P Urquhart 2).

FRIDAY NIGHT MATCHES

SECOND ROUND

BAKER HUGHES bye into third round

16.33: AMC/FORUM ENGINEERING v SPARROWS GROUP
16.47: GREENKEEPERS v CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
17.01: PLUMBERS  GRAMPIAN POLICE
17.15: ????? v LAWYERS
17.29: GARAGE TRADE v MORRISON CONSTRUCTION

SCOT BROTHERSTON WELL UP IN EUROPEAN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

 Ian Brotherston from Dumfries was lying joint fourth one one-over-par 72 at the end of the first round in the European senior men's amateur golf championship at Achensee, Austria today (Thursday).

He was two shots behind the leader, Irishman Adrian Morrow.

Keith Bruce (Edzell) was joint 16th on 74 but the other Scots in the field of 89 players did not fare so well.

Brian Grieve from Perth had an 86 and will start the second round in joint 82nd place.

Alistair Fiddes (Murcar Links) was lying 88th after an 89.

The only Scot in the European senior women's amateur championship, being played at the same venue, Christine McAndrew from Nairn Dunbar, had an 84 to be lying joint 36th in a field of 56.

Rocio Ruiz de Velasco (Spain) leads with a three-over 71

EUROPEAN SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Achensee Golf Club, Austria

MEN

Leading first round scores

Par 71

70 Adrian Morrow (Ireland).

71 Markus Frank (Austria), Tomas Persson (Sweden)

72 Ian Brotherston (Scotland), Stefan Lindberg (Sweden).

Selected scores

74 Keith Bruce (Scotland), Barry Downing (England), David Lane (England) (T16).

77 Dave Jessup (England).

80 Robert Fox (England), Stephen Whymark (England).

81 Trevor Gray (England)

86 Brian Grieve (Scotland) (T82)

89 Alistair Fiddes (Scotland) (88th).

WOMEN

Par 71

74 Rocio Ruiz De Velasco (Spain)

75 Maria De Orueta (Spain), Mimmi Guglielmone (Austria)

Selected score:

84 Christine McAndrew (Sco) (T36)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

LIVE SCORING FROM THE UNITED STATES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

TO ACCESS THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE'S LIVE SCORING SERVICE FROM THE UNITED STATES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE OLYMPIC CLUB, SAN FRANCISCO

CLICK HERE

McILROY COACH QUITS BANGOR CLUB POST TO GO FULL-TIME WITH RORY

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

Rory McIlroy's coach Michael Bannon is to leave his job at Bangor Golf Club, near Belfast to work full-time with the defending US Open champion.

Bannon had been combining the McIlroy role with his position as PGA professional at the Co Down club.
Bangor members were told about Bannon's departure today and he is expected to take up his full-time role with the world number two in October.
Last December Bannon was honoured with a major European coaching accolade.
He became the inaugural winner of the PGA's of Europe's John Jacobs Coach of the Year award
McIlroy, from Holywood, an affluent neighbourhood to the east of Belfast, was just eight years old when he was first coached by Bannon and the pair have continued to have a close relationship.
Bannon was recently in the United States helping McIlroy prepare for his defence of the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

RAYMOND RUSSELL MAKES GOOD START IN SAINT-OMER OPEN

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT

FROM SARAH GWYNN, Lumbres, France

 sgwynn@europeantour.com,

Scot Raymond Russell carded a three under par 68 in the first round of the Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC to lie one shot off the lead.

The 39 year old had four birdies and a bogey at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club, and was pleased with how he handled a tough test.

Russell said: “Only one bogey is pretty decent on this course – it’s a tricky one. There was a little bit of wind and the greens are very quick in places, so it’s a case of trying to play really smart golf and not do anything stupid.

“I’ve played it half a dozen times, but my caddie today knows it very well, which is why he’s been drafted in this week. He’s been telling me to hit it in all sorts of places I’d never dream of hitting it, and it’s working so far.

“This season has been pretty quiet so far. I had a nice enough start on the Challenge Tour, but I’ve been very quiet on the main Tour from the five starts I’ve had.

“There will be a time pretty soon when I’ll need to make a decision on whether I play Challenge Tour or main Tour for the rest of the year. You can’t really play both. I’ll just have to wait and see how this week pans out.”

It was also a productive day for fellow Scots Alastair Forsyth, who signed for a 69, and Lloyd Saltman, who had a one under par 70.

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 71
67 Adam Gee (England), Sihwan Kim (South Korea), Simon Wakefield (England).
68 Raul Quiros (Spain), Darren Fichardt (South Africa), Raymond Russell (Scotland).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
69 Alastair Forsyth (T7)
70 Lloyd Saltman (T14)
72 Craig Lee (T35)
73 Callum Macaulay (T45)
75 Scott Henry, Chris Doak (T89)
76 Andrew McArthur (T115)
81 Jamie McLeary (T152)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

SOUTH AFRICANS EDGE OUT SCOTS AS IT GOES DOWN TO LAST PUTT ON LAST GREEN

South Africa beat Scotland 9 1/2 to 8 1/2 in the Friendship Cup two-day men's amateur golf international at Prestwick Golf Club today. The Scots, who won a similar match during their seven-week trip to South Africa earlier this year, led 5-4 at the end of the first day but lost both sessions of play on Day 2.. The South Africans took the foursomes 2-1 and the singles 3 1/2 to 2 1/2. It was the tightest of matches that went right down to the last green on the last match to finish. If Paul Shields (Kirkhill) had been able to hole a 15pt birdie putt against Shaun Smith, the Scot would have won instead of halving his match. If his putt had dropped, the final scoreline would have been 8pt apeice. Scotland's double winners from the opening day, Fraser McKenna (Balmore) and James White (Lundin), had their 100 per cent records smashed in the foursomes. They both also lost in the afternoon singles. Scotland's most successful player was a back-in-form Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie). The Stirling student, third at last weekend's St Andrews Links Trophy, beat Jean-Paul Strydom 3 and 1 to give him a personal haul of  3½ points from a possible 4. Scotland debutant Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) lost all the matches he figured in but they were by narrow margins and the Aberdeenshire player will have gained considerably from his exposure to this level of international competition. Ian Rae, the SGU national coach, said:  "It's been a good match with a lot of good golf on show over the past two days. South Africa were a tough side so it's really good to play top level opposition in match play on links golf ahead of competing at Royal Troon and Glasgow Gailes in the British amateur championship next week."   MEN'S AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL MATCH Prestwick Golf Club, Ayrshire FINAL RESULT SCOTLAND 8 1/2, SOUTH AFRICA 9 1/2 Day 2 results SCOTLAND  3 1/2, SOUTH AFRICA 5 1/2 FOURSOMES (1-2) Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) bt Drikus Bruyns and Gert Myburgh 3 and 2. Brian Soutar and Adam Dunton lost to Shaun Smith and Charles Du Plessis 2 and 1. Fraser McKenna and James White lost to Haydn Porteous and Jean-Paul Strydom 2 holes. SINGLES (2 1/2-3 1/2)   Soutar bt Bruyns 2 and 1 Robertson bt Strydom 3 and 1 Fraser McKenna lost to Porteous 3 and 2 Dunton lost to Myburgh 1 hole Shields halved with Smith White lost to Du Plessis 2 and 1

FIVE SCOTS ASSISTANTS SURVIVE CUT AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

West Kilbride's Stuart Williamson headed the five Scots who survived the 36-hole cut in the three-round Powerade PGA assistants golf championship at East Sussex National Golf Resort today. Williamson is in joint 14th position behind joint leaders on five-under-par 139, Thomas Murray (Didsbury) (71-68) and Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) (67-72). He has had rounds of 73 and 75 for 148. Other Scots still in action are Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) (78-72)  and Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) (74-76), joint 23rd on 150 (78-72), Newmachar's Martin Lawrence (77-75), joint 33rd on 152 alongwith Iain McNab (Dundonald Links) (73-79). The 13 Scots who were eliminated included Fraser Clarke (Newmachar) who failed by a single shot with scores of 78 76 for 154. Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) and Christopher McMaster (Panmure) missed out on 155. Brown shot 76-79, McMaster 74-81. Another Tayside man, Keir McNicoll (Gullane) totalled 156 (76-80), a shot ahead of Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) (78-78) and Jonathan Belford (Noah's Ark) (78-79). POWERADE PGA ASSISTANTS CHAMPIONSHIP East Sussex National Golf Resort LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS Par 144 (2x72) 139 Thomas Murray (Didsbury) 71 68, Kevin Harper (Sidmouth) 67 72 140 Matthew Cort (Rothley Park) 69 71. SCOTS' TOTALS 148 Stuart Williamson (West Kilbride) 73 75 (T14) 150 Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) 78 72, Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 74 76 (T23) 152 Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) 77 75, Iain McNab (Dundonald Links) 73 79 (T33) MISSED THE CUT (153 or better qualified) 154 Fraser Clarke (Newmachar) 78 76 155 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 76 79, Christopher McMaster (Panbmure) 74 81. 156 Keith McNicoll (Gullane) 76 80. 157 Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) 78 79, Jonathan Belford (Noah's Ark) 78 79. 158 Stuart Boyle (The Belfry) 76 82 161 Fraser Dunlop (Gleneagles) 81 80, Alex Gardner (Radyr) 79 82 162 Kevin Moran (Balbirnie Park) 78 84 163 Joseph McBrearty (Haggs Castle) 87 76 167 Callum Nisbet (Bathgate) 85 82 Retired: Ross Jack (Dumfries and Co) 80 ret.

BATTLE OF THE GENERATIONS IN QUEEN'S CUP OPENING ROUND

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR 

Samui, Thailand: Thailand’s golden oldie Boonchu Ruangkit and Filipino teenager Miguel Tabuena, who are 39 years apart in their ages, produced masterful four-under-par 67s to share the first round lead at the Queen’s Cup today.

In a battle of the generations, the 56-year-old Boonchu, one of Asia’s living legends, rolled back the years with a brilliant bogey-free round to match 17-year-old Tabuena, who negotiated the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club with six birdies against two bogeys.

Big-hitting Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Rattanon Wannasrichan ensured a strong local presence on the leaderboard of the US$300,00 Asian Tour event with 68s for tied third place with Korea’s Baek Seuk-hyun. Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, Korean newcomer Hong Soon-sang and Australia’s Adam Groom ended the day a further shot back.

Boonchu, a five-time Asian Tour winner and the European Senior Tour Order of Merit champion following four victories in 2010, was rock solid at the tricky course, which is nicknamed the Samui Beast.

“No bogeys today, I’m very happy. I don’t think I’ve played ever a round here without any bogeys. All the time I have bogeys or double bogeys,” said Boonchu.

He was in trouble only once on the opening hole following a wayward drive but the Thai saved par. Boonchu then birdied the third, 11^th, 15^th and 17^th holes, with the longest putt coming from 12 feet to raise the local cheers.

“My tee shots were very confident today. I’ve got a lot of experience and mentality is important. I can still play a stable game. On some courses, I can compete against the young boys,” said Boonchu, who was given the honour of striking the opening tee shot when the Asian Tour was established as a player-led organisation in 2004.

“I still think I have a chance to win on the Asian Tour. I’m happy to see young boys come up. But I want to show the young boys that an old man like me can still play,” smiled Boonchu, who will aim to become the oldest winner on Tour as the current record is held by Korea’s Choi Sang-ho (2005 Maekyung Open, 50 years and 145 days old). 

Fresh from a second professional victory on his domestic circuit at the weekend, a confident Tabuena rode on the momentum to give himself a shot at winning a maiden Asian Tour title.

“I’m pretty happy. I think it’s the momentum from last week and I just stuck to my game plan,” said Tabuena, rated as one of the region’s rising stars.

“I won the two events with the best players in the Philippines. Juvic (Pagunsan) was in the field, Frankie (Minoza), Angelo (Que), Mars (Pucay) … the confidence is there right now. I hope it stays there for the rest of the week.”

Tabuena has already taken quite a few knocks in his fledgling career but the bubbly Filipino believes the experiences have done him good. He missed a full Tour card by finishing US$250 behind the 61^st ranked player last season and at the ICTSI Philippine Open in February, he stumbled with a closing 81 after being in contention to become the event’s youngest ever champion.

“It took me a long time to recover,” reflected Tabuena of his near-miss at home. “I thought I had it but Mardan (Mamat) played so steady, like a veteran to win. I told myself that ‘you have many more tournaments to go, you’re still young, and to keep working at your game.’”

Three top-three finishes over the past seven years on the holiday isle of Samui is motivating Prayad to push for victory at the Queen’s Cup, which is revered by the local players as the event is held in honour of the Queen of Thailand, Queen’s Sirikit.

The 46-year-old said his putter needs to behave if he is to hoist the trophy on Sunday. “I couldn’t putt. What I saw and what I did with the putting stroke, it wasn’t linked. I missed two short putts for pars,” lamented Prayad, who is a six-time Asian Tour winner.

Groom enjoyed a blazing finish with three closing birdies to move into contention. “The front nine, I was two over, didn’t play great and hit a couple of loose shots. I took advantage of the easier holes on the back nine and it was a nice way to finish with three birdies,” said the Australian, who is searching for a first win in Asia.

“This is probably one of the hardest courses we play all year. It’s demanding off the tees and the greens are tricky to read. So I’m happy with that, it’s a good start.”

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES

Par 71. Yardage 6,815

67 Miguel TABUENA (PHI), Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA).

68 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA), BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR), Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA).

69 Adam GROOM (AUS), Prayad MARKSAENG (THA), HONG Soon-sang (KOR).

70 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA), SIDDIKUR  (BAN), Himmat RAI (IND), Guido VAN DER VALK (NED), Javi COLOMO (ESP), Piya SWANGARUNPORN (THA), Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA), Mars PUCAY (PHI), Sutijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA).

71 Anirban LAHIRI (IND), Atthaphon PRATHUMMANEE (THA), Panuwat MUENLEK (THA), Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA), Rick KULACZ (AUS), Antonio LASCUNA (PHI).

72 Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA), Steve LEWTON (ENG), Guy WOODMAN (ENG), Wasin SRIPATTRANUSORN (THA), Pravee VISALKIT (THA), Jonathan MOORE (USA), Varut CHOMCHALAM (THA), Adam BLYTH (AUS), Zaw MOE (MYN), CHAN Shih-chang (TPE), LAM Chih Bing (SIN), Sam CYR (USA).

SCOTS-SOUTH AFRICA DEADLOCK WITH SIX SINGLES TO DECIDE

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

By ROSS DUNCAN

Scotland and South Africa are locked at 6-6 going into the final six singles ties of their international Test Match at Prestwick Golf Club this afternoon.

The Scots, bidding for home and away triumphs in the contest, saw their 5-4 overnight lead eroded after a 2-1 loss in the foursomes this morning.

In-form Graeme Robertson, the SGU Order of Merit leader from Glenbervie, maintained his unbeaten record in the match as he and Kirkhill’s Paul Shields claimed a 3&2 triumph over Drikus Bruyns and Gert Myburgh.

But, in another nip and tuck session, it was the South Africans who won the final two matches of the morning by narrow margins.

Shaun Smith and Charles Du Plessis stormed to a four up lead after nine holes against South African Amateur champion Brian Soutar (Leven GS) and the North-east’s Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon).

The Scots brilliantly battled back from the deficit to square the contest after 14 holes, only to lose out 2 and 1 on the 17th.

Fraser McKenna (Balmore) and Lundin’s James White, so impressive yesterday to claim two wins apiece, also enjoyed a fierce, tight battle with Haydn Porteous and Jean-Paul Strydom.

The South Africans held a one-hole lead on the 18th tee, which is where it went wrong for the hosts after their tee-shot carried too long at the short par-4 and out of bounds.

Porteous and Strydom thus achieved a two-hole win to leave the tussle for The Friendship Quaich delicately poised.
DAY 2 RESULTS

SCOTLAND 6, SOUTH AFRICA 6 is the current overall score
FOURSOMES (1-2)
Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) bt Drikus Bruyns and Gert Myburgh 3 and 2.
Brian Soutar and Adam Dunton lost to Shaun Smith and Charles Du Plessis 2 and 1.
Fraser McKenna and James White lost to Haydn Porteous and Jean-Paul Strydom 2 holes.

The six singles ties are taking place this afternoon and the draw is:

* Soutar v Bruyns
* Robertson v Strydom
* McKenna v Porteous
* Dunton v Myburgh
* Shields v Smith
* White v Du Plessis

MONTROSE OPEN WEEK QUALIFYING ROUNDS DRAW

DRAW FOR MONTROSE OPEN WEEK QUALIFYING ROUNDS

MONDAY 23 JULY AND TUESDAY 24 JULY 2012

            0700    G Tough (E); N Leslie (MM);                          

            0707    B McKay (MM); H Nissen (E); G Protano (RM)

            0714    A Coutts (Car); A Bremner (E); A Mitchell (RM)        

            0721    K Barclay (MM); D Reid (F);  

            0728    J Cole (Dp); B Stark (MPH); H Bisset (MM)

0735    A Cole (WP); C Mason (Dp); I Jamieson (MM)

0742    A Cole (Dp);

0749    J Young (RM); W Callander (F); B Taylor (MM)

0756    P Stewart (F); S Raffan (MM); R Laing (TG)

0803    ----------------------------------------------------

0810    J Adams (E); T Leddy (H); C Frew (RM)

0817    J Storey (Dh); R Wishart (MM); R Arthur (E)

0824    S Barclay (MM); D Watson (MM); J Officer (E)

0831    J O’Hara (MM); I Watson (MM); S Melrose (LG)

0838    JA Grant (RM); V Stewart (MM); M Gove (MM)       

0845    ----------------------------------------------------

0852    A McDonald (AA); J Dall (AA); M Maguire (RM)

0859    J Murray (RM); F Murray (RM); T Davidson (Dw)

0906    C Penny (New); S Smith (Df); R Coull (E)

0913    B Bell (Bl); A Stevenson (CV); C Traill (RM)

0920    C Boyle (BC); M Toshney (RM); S Arbuthnott (AA)

0927    -----------------------------------------------------

0934    A Serrels (RM); I Reid (AA); D Reid (RCC)

0941    W Leatherbarrow (MM); S Coney (B&H); G Milne (RM)

0948    W Anderson (SN); A Forsyth (RM); C Strachan (MM)

0955    -----------------------------------------------------

1002    J McGill (MM); J Crum (Cd); B Johnstone (SN)

1009    S McGill (MM); M Penches (SL); A Reoch (MM)

1016    W Pearson (SL); W Beedie (MM); G Low (LG)

1023    C Carnegie (Kem); S Benson (Caw); K Jolly (M)

1030    M Graham (MM); K Kane (SL); A Mowatt (MM)

1037    -----------------------------------------------------

1044    M McGuinness (S); G Alexander (BB); S Brand (MM)

1051    B Coull (MM); J King (MM); J Cameron (MM)

1058    F Auld (MC); L Geddes (MM); J Robertson (MM)

1105    I Brown (MM); B Penny (New); K Milne (MM)

1112    A Fotheringham (MM); G Wheatley (New); J Hurst (MM)

1119    -----------------------------------------------------

1126    S Noble (New); J Trewick (BP); D Begg (MM)

1133    D Bridges (RM); M Coull (MM); M Candy (MC)

1140    J Strachan (RM); M Letford (L); D McLean (RM)

1147    ------------------------------------------------------

1154    J Beedie (MM); T McKay (MM); D Pirie (MM)

1201    F Burns (Ch); A Robb (MM); S Spark (MM)

1208    R Milne (E); R Hogg (Lb); FG Kennedy (C)

1215    G Leslie (MM); D Fletcher (P); G Millar (Bf)

1222    J Rodger (RM);

1229   

---------------------------------------------------------------

1300    P Barlow (MM); L Clark (E); S Anderson (N)

1307    I Buist (MM); T O’Dell (tbc);  

1314    I Sanderson (MM);

1321

1328    M McGurk (CL);

1335   

1342   

1349   

1356   

1403    ----------------------------------------------------

1410   

                  1417   

1424   

1431   

1438   

1445    -----------------------------------------------------

1452    P Roberts (MM); H Riddell (Kem);

1459    A Maiden (MM); S Smith (Kem);

1506   

1513    ---------------------------------------------------

1520    J Vallely (MM);

1527    S McMillan (E);

1534    G McMillan (E); A Law (Cal); K Watt (MM)

1541   

1548    B Logan (F); C Bell (F); G Hopkins (MM)

1555    K Dickson (MM); A Paton (RM); M Taylor (MM)     

Abbreviations

AA – Arbroath Artisans; B&H – Brighton & Hove; BB – Bishop Briggs; BC – Bothwell Castle;

Bf – Bruntsfield; Bl – Blairegowrie; BP – Burgham Park; C – Caledonian; Cal – Callander;

Car – Carnoustie; Caw – Cawder; Cd – Cairndhu; Ch – Crookhill; CL – Cypress Lakes;CV – Carrickvale; Df – Downfield; Dh – Dunnerholme; Dp – Drumpellier; Dw – Dunwhinney; E – Edzell; F – Forfar; H – Horsforth; Kem – Kemnay; Kir – Kirriemuir; L – Logie; Lb – Ladybank; LG – Letham Grange; M – Muckhart; MC - Montrose Caledonia; MM – Montrose Mercantile; MPH – Memorial Park Houston; N – Newmachar; New – Newbiggin; P – Pitreavie;RCC – Raintree Country Club; RM – Royal Montrose; S – Shotts; SL – Sheddens Lethamhill;

SN – Swantson New; TG – The Grange; WP – Wokefield Park          

                                                 

LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED BY CONTACTING 01674 672932 OR EMAILING wendy@montroselinks.co.uk or secretary@montroselinks.co.uk

ABERDEEN TRADES FOURSOMES RESULT

The Aberdeen Trades men's double foursomes tournament, rescheduled from May when it was too wet to play at Hazlehead, made a low key start last night when only one tie was played.
Tulloch Recruitment beat Teachers by a combined eight holes.
The Tulloch first string finished two up and the Tulloch second string six up.

MARTIN LAIRD WILL GO FOR BROKE IN UNITED STATES OPEN

FROM THE GOLF.com website

By DAVID DUSEK, Deputy Editor

SAN FRANCISCO -- The traditional game plan for the U.S. Open is to tread lightly, be patient and accept that the course will sometimes get the best of you.

Martin Laird explained Wednesday that he doesn't plan to follow that blueprint. He is going to take the fight to Olympic instead of waiting for the course to land a haymaker on his scorecard.

"I want to play like I play," he said as a chilly fog reminiscent of his native Scotland rolled over the course. "As opposed to when I played in Opens in the past and tried to change my game to what I thought suited the tournament."

That means Laird -- who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2011 and this season has been a runner-up at both the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and The Players -- is going to be aggressive, hit driver whenever he can and try to card a lot of birdies.

"If you go out on a course that's this hard and play defensively, you're still going to shoot three or four over, and you're never going to give yourself enough scoring chances," he said.

"I really doubt that there's going to be more than a handful of guys -- if any -- who play a bogey-free round. Everyone's going to make bogeys, so you've got to try to make some birdies."

Making birdies is something Laird does really well. In fact, he ranks seventh on the PGA Tour in birdies per round (4.13). Soft conditions allowed many players to make birdies last season at Congressional, where 22 golfers finished the tournament with a score of even-par or better and Rory McIlroy won at 16 under.

Over the last 10 years, the winning score at the U.S. Open has been under par six times. The only two U.S. Opens during that period with an above-par winning score were in 2006 (Geoff Ogilvy, +5) and 2007 (Angel Cabrera, +5), so maybe Laird is onto something.

He is confident that his strategy can work at Olympic because it lacks nasty rough. Laird said the rough doesn't seem to be as high or as tough as it usually is at the U.S. Open, and he's also noticed that it's possible on many holes to run the ball onto the green instead of needing to carry bunkers or water.

Knowing that, the seemingly risky decision to smack a driver might actually be a smarter play than a 3-wood off the tee.

"If you've got an 8- or a 9-iron, you can chop it up onto the greens here," Laird said. "Whereas if you hit 3-wood into the rough and then have a 5-iron or 6-iron, you've got no chance. So for that reason I think that this course sets up in such a way that if you play aggressively, you're going to give yourself more birdie looks and fewer chances to make bogey than other U.S. Open courses. If that makes sense."

In a damn-the-torpedoes, full-speed-ahead kind of way, it does.

+Spain's Alvaro Quiros - reputed to be the longest hitter in the field - holed his tee shot with a driver at the 288yd par-4 seventh hole in his final practice round. 

ABERDEEN AND DISTRICT PENNANT LEAGUE SCOREBOARD

SPONSORED BY THE CULTS HOTEL

Deeside scored their third win in three matches of the Aberdeen and District Pennant League, sponsored by The Cults Hotel, when they beat Royal Aberdeen 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 at their Bieldside headquarters.

The match was very close throughout. Points were hard fought and the final outcome was in the balance until the very end.

Deeside's fourth pairing of Tom Rennie and Alistair Hutchison made a crucial comeback from one down with three to play to beat I Middleton and M Wilson and effectively seal the overall home win.

The match of the night was, without question, Match 3 with the Royal Aberdeen pairing of Nick Macandrew and M Black beating R Freeland and Simon Cruickshank by 2 and 1 with some great golf.

The Balgownie pair made seven birdies between them (six by Nick Macandrew alone, five of which were back-to-back!).

 

DEESIDE 3 1/2, ROYAL ABERDEEN 1 1/2

 

Deeside players named first

 

1 D Halliday and A Ross bt S Buchan and D Macandrew jun 1 hole.

2 M Vass and K Ingram halved with A Reith and B Barclay

3 R Freeland and S Cruickshank lost to N MacAndrew and M Black 2 and 1

4 T Rennie and A Hutchison bt I Middleton and M Wilson 1 hole.

5 G Rennie and A Jarvie bt W Park and G Webster 1 hole.

A RECAP ON THE RESULTS SO FAR

 

LEAGUE A
Peterculter P, Caledonian P
Nigg Bay 3 1/2, Hazlehead 1 1/2
Newmachar 2, Murcar Links 3
Newmachar 4 1/2, Caledonian 1/2
Murcar Links P, Hazlehead P
Nigg Bay 1 1/2 Portlethen 3 1/2

LEAGUE B
Royal Aberdeen 3, Auchmill 2
Northern 1/2, Bon Accord 4 1/2
Deeside 4 1/2, Banchory 1/2
Northern 1, Stonehaven 4
Deeside 4, Auchmill 1
Banchory 2, Bon Accord 3
Deeside 3 1/2, Royal Aberdeen 1 1/2
Banchory 5, Stonehaven 0