BRATTON WINS WITH A 73 AT WINDY KEMNAY

Newburgh on Ythan club professional Ian Bratton was able to win today's (Wed) North-east Allaince at a very windy Kemnay course with a round of 73 against a CSS of 71. Conditions were so tough that there were 23 No Returns in a field of 87 competitors LEADING SCRATCH Par 71 CSS 71 73 I Bratton (New burgh. 74 R Manson (Kemnay). 75 D Brown (Kemnay), C Nelson (Mackenzie Golf), Fraser Clark (Newmachar), Lewis Morgan (Kemnay), Euan Kennedy (Newmachar). 76 C Carnegie (Kemnay), J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen), G Munro (Fraserburgh). 77 J Duff (Newmachar) 78 K Beveridge  (Inchmaro), P Murray (Kemnay). 79  J Calder (Kemnay), Donald Macandew (Royal Aberdeen), M Lawrie (Kemnay). 80 K Watson (Deeside). 81 J Duncan (Newburgh), G Leslie (Newburgh), R Lamb (Newmachar), H Roulston (Stonehaven), J Hamilton (Murcar Links), C Duffus (Kemnay) 82 B Harper (Newurgh), N Chisholm (Kemnay), D Leslie (Northern), P Morrison (Oldmeldrum), Laura Murray (Alford). 83 D Fleming (Portlethen), C Moir (Ballater).] 84 C Lamb (Newmachar), B Nicolson (Auchmill). 85 T Collie (Kemnay), Claire Prouse (Hazlehead), C Cassie (Nigg Bay), G Mitchell (Braenar) 86 M Merchant (Newmachar), L Prouse (Hazlehead), D George (Kemnay), L Fowler (Royal Aberdeen), W Shaw (Banchory) 87 J Borthwick (Craibstone), J Murray (Banchory), P Cheyne (Northern), G Milne (Newburgh) 88 I D Smith (NE Alliannce), M Winton (Caledonian), D Mackay (Newmachar). 89 L Roger (Royal Aberdeen) HANDICAP PRIZEWINNERS Class 1 P Murray (Kemnay) (7) 71 C Carnegie (Kemnay) (4) 72 M Lawrie (Kemnay) (7) 72 J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) (2) 74 J Hamilton (Murcar Links) (7) 74 Class 2 N Chisholm (Kemnay) (12) 70 G Leslie (Newburgh) (10) 71 D George (Kemnay) (14) 72 T Collie (Kemnay) (12) 73 M Winton (Caledonian) (13) 75

KENNY HUTTON BEST AT FORFAR MIDLAND ALLIANCE

Downfield club pro Kenny Hutton had the  best individual score of two-under-par 67 in today's (Wed) Midland Golfers' Alliance at Forfar Golf Club. Leading handicap prize went to Alister Mason, a 10-handicapper from Thornton GC, with a net 64. Alister also helped his team of Graeme Crichton (St Andrews) (8) and Graeme Milne (Aberdour) (4) to win the A Duncan (Powakaddy) team competition by five shots with a net score of 56. LEADING SCRATCH par 69 67 K Hutton (Downfield) p 68 M Rae (Alyth) p 72 W Hutton (Pitlochry) 73 S Graham (Arbroath) 74 A Mason (Thornton),  S Rennie (Brechin) p 75 H Cowbrough (Muckhart),  D Mitchell (Monifieth) 76 J Watt (Edzell), H Wong (Wellsgreen), J Black (Scotscraig), P Brookes (Pitreavie) p LEADING HANDICAP 64 A Mason (Thornton) (10); 68 D Black (Dunfermline) (12); 69 D Mitchell (Monifieth) (6); 70 P Rhind (Grange) (8), H Cowbrough (Muckhart) (5),  H Salmond (Tulliallan) (6); 71 I Butchart (Strathmore) (6), A Farquharson (Downfield) (10), D Redford (Murrayshall) (9), W Hutton (Pitlochry) (1)  LEADING TEAMS 56 G Crichton (St Andrews) (8), A Mason (Thornton) (10), G Milne (Aberdour) (4). 61 (bih) J  Brown  (Kirkcaldy) (8), J Cree  (Scotscraig) (11). 61 K Hutton (Downfield) p, S Graham (Arbroath) (1), D Morrison (Downfield) (12).    Qualifiers for the JTC Kitchen Express Midland Golfer’s Alliance Championship in April at Crieff   K. Hutton (Downfield) p, M Rae (Alyth) p, S Graham (Arbroath) (1).   Qualifiers for the JTC Kitchen Express McQueen Shield at Crieff in April    A. Mason (Thornton) (10)    Next Week's Meetings   Tuesday, 18th September St. Michaels  Tee reserved: 9.30 - 12.30  Mixed Foursomes Sponsored by Emmar Textiles  Thursday, 20th September  Pitlochry  Tee Reserved 8.30 - 12.30   Lee Sutherland

COURSE RECORD BY DUNCAN STEWART

Paul Lawrie and the others who answered Duncan Stewart's call to invest in his 2012 season on the PGA EuroPro Tour at £100 a share must be rubbing their hands in expectation of a big dividend at the end of the year. The Grantown-on-Spey man recently won a £10,000 first prize and also finished joint sixth in another event. Now Stewart is off and running again in this week's EuroPro Tour 54-hole event, the Sweetspot Classic at Hunley Hotel and Golf Club, Yorkshire. Stewart leads the field with a course record, eight under par 65 which would have been a 64 but for a solitary bogey at his very last hole. Earlier he had an eagle and seven birdies. Englishmen Matt Allen and Daniel Gavins as well as Australian Rika Batibasaga all trail by one with 66s. Play finished shortly after 7:30pm with 27 golfers still to complete their opening rounds after play was suspended for two hours and 17 minutes due to heavy rain in the afternoon. John Gallagher (Turnhouse), one under par with three to play, was one of those who will complete their rounds early in the morning.  Next best Scot after Stewart is John Henry (Clydebank and District), joint seventh on 68, Chris Kelly (Cawder) also broke 70. He is lying joint 13th on 69. LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES Par 73 65 Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) 66 Matt Allen (Eng), Daniel Gavins (Eng), Rika Batibasaga (Aus) 67 Daniel Wardrop (Eng) OTHER SCOTS SCORES 68 John Henry (Clydebank and Dist) (T7) 69 Chris Kelly (Cawder) (T13) 70 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield), Ed Wood (Crow Wood) (T22) 72 Zack Saltman (Archerfield), Wallace Booth (Comrie), Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) (T45) 73 Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy) (T66) 74 Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) (T78) 76 Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) (T93) 79 Eric Walker (Burntisland) (T111) TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

AMATEUR SHIELDS OUTSCORES PROS AT Q SCHOOL

Front-running Irishman Mark Staunton has slipped the field by the halfway stage of the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 four-round event at The Roxburghe Hotel and golf course, near Kelso Staunton added a 68 to his opening 67 for a seven-under-par tally of 135 and leads by six shots from Tartan Tour pro Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) who added a 67 to his first-day 74. But winning is not all important at this stage of the long haul to make the European Tour. To finish in the leading nine and ties at the end of 72 holes is paramount. At the moment that takes in those down to the 145 mark on which is Scotland amateur international Paul Shields (Kirkhill) who shot a a bogey-free 66 with birdies at the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and 11th in halves of 31 and 35. Shields improved by 13 shots on his first round effort of 79. SECOND-ROUND LEADERS Par 144 (2x72) 135 Mark Staunton (Ire) 67 68 141 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 74 67 143 Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) 72 70, Peter O'Keeffee (Ire) 73 70, Zane Scotland (Eng) 74 69 144 Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo) 72 72. 145 Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 75 70, Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall) 70 75, Paul Shields (Kirkhill) (am) 79 66  SELECTED SCORES 147 Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) 74 73 (T15) 148 Joel Hendry (US) 73 75 (18th) 149 Stephen Gray (Hayston) 76 73 (T19) 150 Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 75 75, Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 70 80 (T23) 151 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 73 78 (T27) 153 Philip McLean (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 78 75, Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) 77 70 (T30). TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

MCNICOLL UNDER PRESSURE AT W LOTHIAN

Gullane's Keir McNicoll still leads the chase for the £1,000 prize and the title in the Scottish Young Professionals' championship at West Lothian Golf Club. But McNicoll's second-round 72 gave the chasing pack the chance to take closer order - and they did. Only three or four strokes now cover the top 10 who will play the final 36 holes today (Thursday). Graeme Brown (Montrose Links), the pre-tournament favourite in some quarters, is now sharing second place, a shot behind McNicoll after a 69 with birdies at the third, long 14th and short 15th. Thomas Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar), with a steady 70-71, is alongside Brown on 141. Lying handy on 142 are Cameron Marr (Musselburgh) (72-70), Malcolm Isaacs (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) (70-72) and Malcolm Murray (Bearsden) (71-71). QUALIFIERS FOR LAST TWO ROUNDS  Par 142 (2x71) 140 Keir McNicoll (Gullane) 68 72 141 Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 72 69, Thomas Dingwall (Nairn Dunbar) 70 71 142 Cameron Marr (Musselburgh) 72 70, Malcolm Isaacs (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 70 72, Malcolm Murray (Bearsden) 71 71 143 Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 72 71, Christopher Robinson (Dumfries and Galloway) 74 69 144 DanielWood (Hirsel) 75 69, Craig Haugh (Linlithgow) 75 69, David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 72 72 145 Adam McCabe (Gordon Sherry Golf) 73 72 146 Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) 74 72, Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) 75 71, Paul Robinson (Largs) 75 71, Stuart Boyle (The Belfry) 74 72 147 Sean Fay (Royal Dornoch) 69 78, Iain Dean (Murrayfield) 75 72 148 Joseph McBrearty (Haggs Castle) 72 76, Patrick Walker (Ballumbie Castle) 74 74, Ewan Grimes (Carrick on Loch Lomond) 78 70 Cameron Tortolano (Stirling) 75 73 149 Ross Jack (Dumfries and Galloway) 76 73, Andrew McIntyre (Ranfurly Castle) 75 74, Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) 75 74, Paul Betty (Hamilton) 78 79, Grant Smith (Gleneagles) 76 73, Sam McLaren (Crieff) 76 73 150 Andrew Rollo (Moray) 80 70 151 Rob Slatterley (Swanston) 73 7, Cameron West (Scotscraig) 75 76 152 Iain McNab (Dundonald Links) 79 73, David Laing (Craigielaw) 72 80, Nikki Christie (CarnousTie) 78 74, Gregor Wright (Ladybank) 73 79, Andrew Burns (Bothwell Castle) 76 76, Ewan Macpherson (Aucherarder) 75 77 TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

BELL BAXTER OVERPOWER MADRAS FP AT THE DUKE'S

NEWS RELEASE

Bell Baxter FP proved too strong for Madras FP at a blustery Dukes course yesterday. A whitewash in the morning four- ball, better-ball and foursomes matches meant that Bell Baxter FP went in to the singles 6–0 ahead and thus needed only half a point from the afternoon singles to win.

A spirited fight back from Madras FP was on in the singles and they prevailed 3.5 to 2.5 which was not enough to prevent Bell Baxter FP taking the trophy.

The match was the third staging of the event and now sees Bell Baxter a head 2 matches to 1.

The match was conceived in 2009 through a discussion between former pupils and PGA Professionals Mike Braidwood and Jim Farmer who was then the PGA Captain, to celebrate the fact that both schools have produced a number of PGA Professionals and high quality amateur players.

“We are delighted to have won the cup back today and to go ahead in the series” said Bell Baxter FP’s Captain Sandy Smith. “Our thanks go out to David Scott and The Dukes for hosting the matches” he added.

Results 

(Bell Baxter FP names first)

Four-ball, better-ball (played over 9 holes)

Jacky Montgomery and Paul Wytrazek bt Michael Braidwood and Stuart Syme 1 hole.

Roddy Cameron and Stuart Smart bt Gordon Landsburgh and Paul MacGregor 1 hole.

Sandy Smith and Steven Greig bt James Bunch and David Gilchrist 3 and 2

Foursomes (played over 9 holes)

Jacky Montgomery and Paul Wytrazek bt Michael Braidwood and Stuart Syme 4 and 3

Roddy Cameron and Stuart Smart bt Gordon Landsburgh and Paul MacGregor 2 and 1

Sandy Smith and Steven Greig bt James Bunch and David Gilchrist 2 and 1

Singles (played over 9 holes)

Steven Greig lost to James Bunch 1 hole.

Paul Wytrazek beat Michael Braidwood 5 and 3.

Stuart Smart lost to David Gilchrist 4 and 2.

Sandy Smith beat Paul MacGregor 5 and 4.

Roddy Cameron halved with Gordon Landsburgh

Jacky Montgomery lost to Stuart Syme 3 and 1.

Final result:

Bell Baxter FP 8.5 Madras FP 3.5

Picture – David Scott Madras FP non playing Captain presents the trophy Bell Baxter FP Captain Sandy Smith

ANDALUCIA MASTERS CANCELLED

NEWS RELEASE FROM EUROPEAN TOUR

The European Tour regrets to announce that the 2012 Andalucía Masters, due to be played at the Club de Golf Valderrama, Sotogrande, on October 18-21, will now be cancelled. The Junta de Andalucía confirmed this decision by letter which they also announced by a press release on Monday September 10th.

Despite discussions with the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, and a formal legal agreement with the Junta de Andalucía, the tournament, won in 2011 by Sergio García, will not take place.

George O'Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: ''This is extremely disappointing news to receive, especially at such a late date.

"We have been long term partners with the Junta for over 25 years. In that time we have seen together with many other events, the Volvo Masters staged in Andalucía from 1988-2008, two American Express World Golf Championships, won by Tiger Woods in 1999 and Mike Weir in 2000, and the Jewel in the Crown, The 1997 Ryder Cup played at Club de Golf Valderrama.   We have worked together to promote the region, and the Junta de Andalucía and The European Tour have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and committed long term partnership.

"We feel the disappointment not only for our Members and all committed to broadcasting and reporting this tournament and the region on a global scale, but also for the many visitors, especially from Northern Europe, who coincide their vacations with the tournament.

"We will work with the Junta to rectify this situation both now and in the future''.