SEAN LAWRIE TAMES THE LONG, LONG HOLES IN TEXAS

         SEAN LAWRIE ...  Six shots off the pace in Texas. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.       

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Portlethen GC member Sean Lawrie, a nephew of Paul Lawrie and a student at Midland College, Texas, is lying T27 in a field of 124 players after the first round of the NJCAA Men's National Championship over The Rawls Curse, Lubbock in Texas.
Sean had an unpromising start with bogeys at the first, second, third and fourth and he reached the turn in three-over-par 39.
But his one-under 35 home was highlighted by his performances at two very long holes on a very long course (7,349yd).
Sean birdied the par-5 eighth which measures 630 yards.
Later he got an eagle 3 at the par-5 11th which is a 521yd hole.
He did drop a late shot to par, a bogey at the 17th, but a 74 leaves him "only" six shots behind the leader by one, Chandler McDonald (USC Lancaster).    
Another North-east student - Daniel Thompsett from Aboyne, a student at Rocky Mountain College, Billings in Montana - did not do so well in the NAIA Men's Championship first round at Creekside Golf Club, Salem in Oregon.
Over a par-72, 6887yd course, former NE boys champion Daniel shot a 78 to be T79 in a field of 154 players at the end of Day 1. 
He is 10 shots behind the leader by one, Anthony Marchesani (Oklahoma City). 
But the tournament does not entil until Friday so plenty of time for Thompsett to close the gap.