HUIZING SHOOTS COURSE-RECORD 61 TO LEAD IN FRANCE

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Daan Huizing was the talk of the opening day at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge as he flirted with history en route to a sumptuous round of 61 in France.

In just his sixth start on the Challenge Tour, the Dutchman, pictured by courtesy of Getty Images(c), was ten under par through 15 holes at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil, as he attempted to become only the second man in Challenge Tour history to shoot 59.

A birdie at the seventh, his 16th, was the ideal start to the final trio of holes as he neared history, but a couple of pars to finish still saw him sign for the lowest round of the season so far, a new course record, and a two stroke advantage over Englishman Jason Barnes.

Adrien Mörk, who had not played on the Challenge Tour in three years but carded an opening 69 on Thursday, therefore remains the only man to break 60 on the circuit. In 2006 he fired a second round 59 en route to the Tikida Hotels Agadir Moroccan Classic title, and a rare appearance from the Frenchman almost proved a good omen for Huizing.

“Of course I knew I was going low,” admitted the Dutchman. “That 59 was in my mind a little bit, but I tried to block it out as I had a similar situation earlier in the year, where I was going really low after 13 holes and then started thinking about shooting 59. That’s when you know you are not focused on the task anymore, so I tried to keep focused on one shot at a time, what I needed to do on the course, and it almost worked out.

“I really like the challenge of a course like this as you know guys are going to shoot eight or nine under, so when you are only six under you know it’s not enough and you have to keep going. That’s what I like about the Challenge Tour, there is just so much more competition, it gets you a lot sharper and gives you good incentive to work hard at home.

Huizing is two strokes clear of Jason Barnes, who himself went bogey free on Thursday morning to shoot the lowest round of his Challenge Tour career, a nine under par 63.

The Englishman is a shot ahead of compatriot Andrew Johnston, who carded an opening 64 on Thursday, and is tied alongside Karnten Golf Open presented by Mazda winner Dylan Frittelli.

With them in a tie for third are the three leading Frenchmen, François Calmels, who is looking for a third win of 2013 after victories at the Challenge de Madrid and D+D Real Czech Challenge Open earlier in the year, with Edouard Espana and Lionel Weber.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

 par 72

61 D Huizing (Ned) 

63 J Barnes (Eng) 

64 A Johnston (Eng) , D Frittelli (RSA) , F Calmels  (Fra) , E Espana (Fra) , L Weber (Fra) 

65 J Lima  (Por) , S Kim (Kor) , R Marguery (Fra) , 

66 K Borsheim  (Nor) , R Quiros  (Esp) , A Velasco (Esp) , D Stewart (Sco) , J Fahrbring (Swe) , S Garcia Rodriguez (Esp) , B Hebert  (Fra)

67 N Kearney (Irl), P Maddy (Eng) , C Kim (USA) , C Russo (Fra) , H Joannes  (Bel) 

68 P Peracino (Fra) , J McLeary  (Sco) , O Whiteley (Eng) , W Besseling  (Ned) , P Dwyer (Eng) , J Carlsson (Swe) , A Otaegui (Esp) , L Kennedy  (Eng) , B An (Kor) , M Jonzon (Swe) , L Corfield  (Eng) , B McCarroll  (Irl) 

69 D Ulrich (Sui) , D Nouailhac (Fra) , L Goddard  (Eng) , A Domingo (Esp) , M Zions (Aus) , R Steiner (Aut) , A Bernadet  (Fra) , B Chapellan (Fra) , J Legarrea (Esp) , S Fallon (Eng) , T Murray (Eng) , T Fournier  (Fra) , W Booth  (Sco) , S Hutsby  (Eng) , M Bey (Fra) , L Canter (Eng) , R Russell (Sco) , B Paolini (USA) , B Evans  (Eng) , A Mörk (Fra) , N Lemke (Swe) , J Heath  (Eng)

70 S Brown (Eng) , J Dantorp (Swe) , G Stal (Fra), P Archer (Eng) , J Abbott (Eng) , D Salisbury (Eng) , M Rominger  (Sui) , J Gressier (Fra) , G Houston (Wal) , S Piaget  (Mon) , J Remesy (Fra) , T Haylock  (Eng) , J Howarth (Eng) , C Sordet (am) (Fra)

71 M Quiros (Esp) , G Cambis  (Fra) , J Jeong (Kor) , D Perrier (Fra) , J Gibb (Eng) , E Dubois (Fra) , G Murray  (Sco) , J Pastor Lopez (Esp) , A Gee  (Eng) , T Linard (Fra) , M Haines  (Eng) , M Ford (Eng) , A Schwartz (Fra) , X Poncelet  (Fra) , A Perrino  (Ita) , S Tiley (Eng) , M Brier (Aut) , M Haastrup  (Den) , 

72 J Timmis (Eng) , K Ferrie (Eng) , J Lopez Lazaro (Fra) , R Dinwiddie  (Eng) , J Hepworth (Eng) , A Rota (Ita) , A Hortal  (Esp) , J Belot (Fra) , N Meitinger  (Ger) , J Garcia Pinto (Esp) , F Bergamaschi (Ita) , J Mikkelsen (Nor) , N Peyrichou (Fra) , T Nørret (Den) , S Gros (Fra) , R Schneider (Fra) , S Walker (Eng) , J Ruth  (Eng) , A Saddier (Fra) , D Im (USA) 

73 J Guerrier (Fra) , J Moul  (Eng) , D Vancsik (Arg) , J Foret (Fra) , C Hanson (Eng) , D Kemmer (USA) , B Nicolay  (Fra) , K Le Sager  (Fra) , S Manley (Wal) , R Bechu (Fra) , N Quintarelli (Ita) , F Marty (Fra) , C Aguilar  (Esp) , P Edberg (Swe) , D Geminiani (Ita)

74 T Hatton (Eng) , S Arnold  (Aus) , N Tacher (Fra) , P Figueiredo  (Por) , B Ritthammer (Ger) 

75 N Joakimides (Fra) , V Riu  (Fra) , R Berrube (Fra) , F Colombo (Ita) , O Rozner  (Fra) , O Wilson (Eng) , D Palm (Swe) , J Watts (Eng) , D Griffiths  (Eng) , O Farr (Wal) , P Relecom  (Bel) , C Brazillier  (Fra) , C Ford (Eng) , F Abadie (Fra) , T Beaucousin (am) (Fra) , T Elissalde (am) (Fra) 

76 L Saltman (Sco) , J Verselin (Fra) , F Delamontagne  (Fra) , S Whiffin (Eng) , R Davies (Wal) , A McArthur  (Sco) 

77 L Bjerregaard  (Den) , J Grillon  (Fra) , N Bertasio (Ita) , P Barjon (am) (Fra) , 

80 O Nier (Fra) , A Bihan (Fra) , 

 

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATION

MONTY MATCHES PAR ON SENIOR OPEN DEBUT AT ROYAL BIRKDALE

SENIORS OPEN REPORT

FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
American Gene Sauers, who three years ago was battling a potentially fatal skin condition, carded a three under par 67 to lead The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex by one stroke at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Lancashire.

Colin Montgomerie marked his debut with an opening round of 72.

Sauers, a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour, only returned to golf less than two years ago after suffering from the painful Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which caused his skin to burn from the inside-out.

Making his maiden Senior Open appearance this week at Royal Birkdale, the 50 year old posted a hat-trick of birdies from the 15^th hole to open up a one shot advantage over a four strong group that included 2010 champion Bernhard Langer.

“I'm very proud of that round,” said Sauers, who played in just two Open Championships in his regular career, with tied 58^th his best finish at Royal Troon in 1989. “I just made sure I hit a lot of solid shots.  If you hit it really solid then the wind won't really mess with it too much and so I’m pleased with the way I played.

“It's a great place and a privilege and honour to be here. I’ve not played an awful lot of links golf but I like the different challenge.”

Sauers was initially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2009 but it was the myriad of medications he was prescribed that triggered the dangerous skin condition.

“It's a second chance,” he continued. “Both arms, both legs were burned up. After doctors at Duke University diagnosed me, I spent seven weeks in hospital, had seven lots of skin grafts and it was torture.  I tell
you, I don't want anybody to go through that.  I'm blessed and I'm glad to be here.”

Langer, who won this title at Carnoustie three years ago and led going into the final round last year, was one over par for the day through 14, but the German put his foot down over the closing four holes to finish strongly, birdieing the par five 15^th and 17^th before a wonderful approach to eight feet produced another birdie at the last.

“How I finished was very pleasing because 18 is not a simple hole,” he said. “I played very well off the tee and into the greens and gave myself opportunities, and finally the putter started working at the end.”

Also on 68 following a testing first day when only ten players broke par were 2012 MCB Tour Championship winner David Frost of South Africa, who eagled the 17^th, Australian Peter Senior and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines.

Minoza opened with a bogey on the first and a triple bogey on the third, before producing the come-back of the day on the back nine, which he negotiated  in 31 shots, with birdies on four of the last five holes to also finish two under for the day.

Meanwhile 2010 European Ryder Cup Captain Montgomerie is five shots off the pace. After opening with nine consecutive pars he dropped three shots in a row following the turn before picking up his only birdie of the round on the 16^th hole to lie in a share of 37^th position.

“There is a lot to do over the next three days, but it is something to build on, certainly,” he said. “So I was quite happy really.  I just messed up 10, 11 and 12, which hopefully, I won't do tomorrow.

“I'm two over, that's five behind.  Remember, not a week ago, Phil Mickelson came from five behind with one round to go and I've got three to do it, so I'm in prime position.”

Defending champion Fred Couples and 1998 Open Champion Mark O’Meara, playing alongside Montgomerie, both signed for four over par rounds of 74, while Tom Watson, who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale 30 years ago, opened with a 73.

 

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 70

67 G Sauers (USA) 

68 P Senior (Aus) , F Minoza (Phi) , B Langer (Ger) , D Frost (RSA) 

69 P Fowler (Aus) , C Pavin (USA) , J Cook (USA) , G Hallberg (USA) , J Hart (USA) 

70 G Turner (Nzl) , T Kite (USA), M Kuramoto (Jpn) , R Mediate (USA) , P Wesselingh (Eng) , G Wolstenholme (Eng) , M McNulty (Irl), P Walton (Irl) , M Wiebe (USA) , S Pate (USA) , S Lyle (Sco) , T Pernice Jnr (USA)

71 J Sluman (USA) , J Inman (USA) , S Tinning (Den) , C Lu (Tpe) , K Idoki (Jpn) , R Cochran (USA) , R Spittle (Can) , M Goodes (USA) , L Mize (USA) , J Blake (USA) , K Tomori (Jpn) , G Trivisonno (USA) , J Rivero (Esp) , C Lutz (am) (USA) 

72 B Bryant (USA) , A Sherborne (Eng) , B Cameron (Eng) , S Luna (Esp) , D Mast (USA) , M Martin (Esp) , D Russell (Eng) , S Elkington (Aus) , C Montgomerie  (Sco) , B Lane (Eng) , T Lehman (USA) 

73 S Jones (USA) , T Watson (USA) , P Linhart (Esp) , B Conser (USA) , K Hanefeld (USA) , B Longmuir (Sco) , S Okuda (Jpn) , C Williams (RSA) , A Forsbrand (Swe) , B Ruangkit (Tha) , B Vaughan (USA) 

74 R Chapman (Eng) , C Mason (Eng) , K Spurgeon (Eng) , J Gould (Eng) , T Thelen (USA) , A Oldcorn (Sco) , P Gresswell (Eng) , M O'Meara (USA) , M Kierstenson (Eng) , E Toledo (Mex) , P Golding (Eng) , B Faxon (USA) , F Couples (USA) , M James (Eng) , S Cipa (Eng) , M Cunning (USA) , B Tway (USA) , M Brooks (USA) 

75 M Calcavecchia (USA) , C O'Connor Jnr (Irl) , E Romero (Arg) , D Eger (USA), P Mitchell (Eng) , J Daley (USA) , K Kelsall (Sco) , W Wood (USA), A Webster (Sco), F Funk (USA) , M Allen (USA) , D O'Sullivan (Irl) , C Elliott (Sco) , J King (Eng) , R Lewallen (USA) , J Spence (Eng) , C Rocca (Ita) , G Brand Jnr (Sco) 

76 D Smyth (Irl) , H Buhrmann (RSA) , J Mathews (Eng) , G Brand (Eng) , D Waldorf (USA) , I Woosnam (Wal) , P Dahlberg (Swe) , S Bennett (Eng) , C Stadler (USA) , A Magee (USA) 

77 W Grant (Eng) , B Gilder (USA) , L Carbonetti (Arg) , K Smith (Can) , L Turner (Eng) , R Latham (am) (Eng) , J Volpenhein (am) (USA)

78 L Tenbroeck (USA) , M McLean (Eng) , A Franco (Par) , M Mouland (Wal) , T Price (Aus) , K Tarling (Can) , R Roper (Eng) , K Gallacher (am) (Sco) ,

79 C Bolling  (USA) , G Ralph (Eng) , J Carriles (Esp) , A Murray (Eng) , T Johnstone (Zim) , S Torrance (Sco) , M Ure (Eng) 

80 R Drummond (Sco) , R Sabarros (Fra) , P Way (Eng) , P Jonas (Can) , M McCumber (USA) , J Rutledge (Can) 

81 R Fehr (USA) 

82 M Farry (Fra), M Mackenzie (Eng) , J Bruner (USA) 

83 N Sugai (Jpn), F O'Donoghue (am) (Nir) 

 84 M Lord (Eng) , J Harrison (Eng) ,

 85 J Quiros (Esp) ,

 87 A Atkinson (am) (Eng) ,

 89 J Lubieniecki (Pol) ,

 ** E Darcy (Irl) ,

 

 

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

MORAY OPEN NEWS AND SCORES FROM LOSSIEMOUTH

Scratch Section 2nd round 

Previous Champions Robbie Sheils of the host Club and John Forbes (Inverness) are on schedule to clash in the final of the 108th Moray Open Tournament which finishes tomorrow. Both have represented the North District Robbie a few years ago. Standing in the way are district youth players Ryan Bain of Strathlene a North East player and Jordan Milne of Elgin who plays for the North. Both are Moray members.

 

Scratch Section 2nd round

G. Thomson def S. Leith (Garmouth & Kingston)  2/1.

R. Bain def G.S. thomson  6/5.

R.J. Sheils def K. Godsman 1 hole.

S. Matheson def N. Slater (Nigg bay)  1 hole

J.L. Milne def E. Barras (Loch ness)  1 hole

N. Stables def N. Simpson  2/1

A. Hunter (Williamwood)  def M. Quilter 3/2.

J.D. Forbes (Inverness) def I. Meggatt 2 holes.

 

Quarter finals:

R. Bain def G. Thomson  @ 21st.

R.J. Sheils def S. Matheson 5/4.

J.L. Milne def N. Stables  7/6.

J.D. Forbes (Inverness) def A. Hunter (Williamwood) 3/2.

 

Handicap Section One 2nd Round:

A. Casey def S. Matthews (Loch Lomond)  2 holes

J. Booth (Cruden Bay) def P. Godding (Shrivenham) 4/3

J. Edwards def D. Scott (Turriff) 1 hole

A.M. Campbell def C. Tweedie (Inverurie) 3/1.

J. Mcinnes (Westhill) def D. Fletcher @ 19th.

M.J. Dean def J.K. England 7/6.

J. Grant (Royal Montrose) def R.R. Adams 5/4.

J.I. Hendry def M. Baber 5/3.

 

Quarter finals

J. Booth (Cruden Bay) def A. Casey 5/4.

A.M. Campbell def J. Edwards  1 hole

J. Mcinnes (Westhill) def M.J. Dean 4/3.

J.I. Hendry def J. Grant (Royal Montrose) 3/2.

 

Handicap Section Two 2nd Round

P. Griffen (Blundells Hill) def J. Kennedy  4/3.

Alan Duncan def J.C. Macgregor @ 24th.

A.D. Lallement def W. Lawrence (Bury) 2 holes.

L. Mitchell def D. Galloway (Harburn) 1 hole.

I. Tasker def N. Aitken 2 holes.

S. Blackburn (Hermitage) def A. Dick  7/6.

Andrew Duncan def A. Reid 3/1.

G. Grant def R. Stephen (Royal Tarlair)  6/5.

 

Quarter finals

Alan Duncan def P. Griffen (Blundells Hill) 2/1.

L. Mitchell def A.D. Lallement  2 holes.

S. Blackburn (Hermitage) def I. Tasker  2/1.

G. Grant def Andrew Duncan  1 hole.      

 

PAUL DOHERTY HAS £10,000 JACKPOT SHOUT

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@Scottishgolfview.com
Six Scots, headed by tournament leader Paul Doherty, qualified for the third and final round of this week's PGA EuroPro Tour event in Ireland, the Kingspan Concra Wood Open, at Concra Wood Golf Club, Castleblainey
Doherty, who won the Scottish Under-18 boys matchplay championship at Dunbar GC a few years back, has a real chance of landing the £10,000 jackpot prize.
He added a steady 70 to his opening 69 for a five-under-par tally of 139 and a one-stroke lead from Englishman Marcus Armitage (73-67)
Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) is by no means out of the hunt in joint 13th place on 144. He knows what it takes to win the £10,000 prize - he did it at Lossiemouth only a couple of weeks ago.
McKechnie has had rounds of 73-73 for 144.
Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) took closer order with a 68 for 145 which moved him up to joint 19th position.
Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) dropped down to a share of 27th place after a 76 for 146. Stablemate Malcolm Isaacs had a 72 for 148 while Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) completed the Scottish qualifiers with a 71 for 149 - the limit mark.
Scots who did not make it were Gavin Dear (150), Zack Saltman (152), Paul Shields (156), Myles Cunningham (160), Paul McGhee (161) and James Dick (163).

PGA EUROPR0 TOUR - Kingspan Concra Wood Open
Concra Wood GC, Castleblainey, Ireland
 
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
139 P Doherty (Vale Hotel) 69 70
149 M Armitage (Howley Hall) 73 67
141 B Hemstock (Teignmouth) 70 71, W Harrold (Sheringham) 71 70, T Rice (Limerick) 72 69.

OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
144 P McKechnie 71 73 (T13)
145 E Saltman 77 68 (T19)
146 J Findlay 70 76 (T27)
148 M Isaacs 76 72 (T41)
149 N Fenwick 78 71 (T45)
 
MISSED THE CUT (149 and better qualified)
150 G Dear
152 Z Saltman
156 P Shields
160 M Cunningham
161 P McKellar
163 J Dick

CENTRAL SCOTLAND SENIORS' PLAY ABANDONED

Play was abandoned today during the first round of the Central Scotland Seniors Open at Kilmacolm Golf Club due to thunder and lightning which followed heavy rain. The tournament has been reduced to 18 holes which will be played tomorrow.

DAVID ORR SWOOPS TO CONQUER WITH A 64 AT PORTLETHEN

David Orr, the second last pro to finish, swept past clubhouse leaders Graham Fox and Greg Hutcheon to win the top prize of £950 in the Portlethen Golf Club pro-am today.
The Mearns Castle Golf Academy teaching pro shot an eight-under-par 64 to notch his second win of the season - Pollok on June 3 was the other - and his score was the lowest at the venue near Aberdeen since Jim Irvine set the pro course record of 62 in 2006.
Orr had bogey-free halves of 32, highlighted by birdies at the long second, long fourth, short fifth, sixth, 11th, short 12th, long 13th and long 18th.
Christopher Currie (Caldwell) led the Maersk Training amateur trio of Duncan Bonnar (handicap 7), Clark Milton (18) and Chris Gray (5) to victory in the team event with a net score of 17-under-par 55.

PRO SCORES AND PRIZE MONEY
Par 72
64 D Orr (Mearns Castle) (£950).
66 G Fox (Clydeway Golf), G Hutcheon (Banchory) (£650 each).
67 G Brown (Montrose Links) (£421).
68 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), S Taylor (Bothwell Castle (£287 each).
69 C Ronald (Carluke) (£206).
70 C Currie (Caldwell), S Gray (Hayston) (£168 each)
71 R Cameron (Saltire Energy), C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) (£136 each).
72 J McGhee (unatt), J McKinnon (Irvine) (£117 each)
73 M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy), J Lomas (Caprington) (£98 each).
74 C Kelly (Cawder) (£86).
75 T Mathieson (Murcar Links) (£76).
  

BOY WONDER MACINTYRE FINISHES 18 UNDER PAR FOR THREE ROUNDS

Stephen Gallacher and Robert MacIntyre. Picture by courtesy of Kenny Smith.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Oban left hander Robert MacIntyre produced a display of sustained brilliance to win the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Under-18 boys' stroke play championship at The Roxburghe Hotel golf course Kelso by an astonishing nine strokes.
Rain reduced the final day's play from 36 to 18 holes - or else the 16-year-old Glencruitten boy wonder, who has already won the Scottish Under-21 youths championship this season, would almost certainly have won by an even bigger margin.
MacIntyre shot three six-under-par 66s in a row for an 18-under-par total of 198, of which Stephen Gallacher himself would have been proud.
Robert had only one bogey in his three rounds - at the second hole of his first circuit, which means he covered 52 consecutive holes without a bogey.
In his last round he managed to come home in 32, which was his best of the three days. His best outward nine was 31, compared with 34 in the third round. 
So if you join up his best out of 31 with his best in of 32, you get a best 18 of 63 (nine under par). What his eclectic score for the 18 holes over three days, goodness knows, but it was probably into the 50s.
His final collection of birdies came at the fifth, seventh, 10th, 12th, 13th and 16th.
Joint runners-up on nine-under-par 207 were Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), who had scores of 69-70-68, and repeating Paul Lawrie Scottish schoolboys champion Connor Syme (Dumfries and Co) (67-70-70).

 
SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS AFTER THE SGU REPORT


SCOTTISH GOLF UNION REPORT
BY ROSS DUNCAN

Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre produced a third consecutive 66 to storm to an incredible nine-shot victory in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship at The Roxburghe.

Macintyre capped a memorable week by collecting the trophy from event sponsor Gallacher, who made a 250-mile trip south from a corporate day at Skibo Castle to present the trophy to the new champion, 21 years on from his own success in a championship he won twice in 1991 and 1992.

The 16-year-old left hander from Oban continued his superb form from the first two rounds and despite some impressive performances from the chasing pack on a third day reduced to 54 holes by the heavy morning rain, MacIntyre built on his lead to land a second major title of the season, with a stunning 18-under par total of 198. Indeed, his only dropped shot of the week came at the second hole of his opening round on Tuesday.

Bearsden youngster Ewen Ferguson clinched his second consecutive runners-up spot in the championship, signing off with a 68 for a 9-under par aggregate of 207, the same mark as Conor Syme (Dumfries and County), who finished with a final round 70, with Ferguson claiming the silver medal courtesy of the better last round.

A member of the Scotland Boys squad and Scottish Golf Academy, MacIntyre becomes the first player to win the national youths and boys’ stroke play titles in the same year, emulating Gallacher as one of only a handful of players to win both championships. 

Out in 34, the Oban High School pupil illuminated his round with birdies at 10, 12 and 13, before draining a 34-foot birdie putt on the 16^th – his 19^th birdie of the week – to round off a superb three days.

“It feels really good to win and this week was up there with the Youths the way I played. After the rain this morning, I felt that level par or thereabouts would be good enough to win, but my game came together really well on the back nine and I was delighted to shoot 66 again.” said Macintyre, who celebrates his 17^th birthday next weekend.

“My putting was really the key to my success this week. I struggled with it at the start of the season but I’ve been working really hard on my stroke with my coach, George Boswell, and it’s been much more consistent.

“It’s nice to have my name on the trophy alongside the likes of Stephen and hopefully I can keep my good form going into the Scottish Amateur Championship next week.” he added. 

Gallacher, who flies off to the States on Sunday for a crucial two-week stint where he’ll compete at the WGC in Firestone ahead of the USPGA Championship at Rochester, was hugely impressed with MacIntyre’s performance. 

“To shoot 18-under par anywhere is great but to do it on an excellent course like The Roxburghe is very impressive. He’s clearly a very good player and if he keeps working hard, I’m sure he can go onto to do really well. This event is a great stepping stone, and hopefully a few of the boys can emulate previous winners like myself, Scott Jamieson and Lloyd Saltman.”

“It’s also great to see so many young golfers competing from overseas for the event and seeing how good our courses are. We’re very grateful to courses such as The Roxburgh for hosting these events, which are vital to help us keep producing good young talent. Everyone at the Foundation is delighted to involve in supporting a championship which holds so many good memories for me.”

Cawder’s Calum Fyfe won the George McDonald Memorial Trophy for finishing the best placed Under 16 player with a 2-under tally of 214 and a share of 7^th spot, while Tantallon’s Calum Hill closed out with an excellent 67 to end his week on a high in 6^th spot.

Englishmen Jack Floydd (Haywards Heath) matched MacIntyre’s final round 66 to share fourth spot alongside Sweden’s Oskar Bergqvist on 8-under par.

 

 

 

MACINTYRE WINS BOYS STROKE PLAY TITLE BY NINE STROKES

STEPHEN GALLACHER FOUNDATION SCOTTISH UNDER-18 BOYS OPEN AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
The Roxburgh Hotel golf course, Kelso
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72) SS 74 CSS 74 74 73
198 R MacIntyre (Glencruitten) 66 66 66
207 E Ferguson (Bearsden) 69 70 68, C Syme (Dumfries and Co) 67 70 70.
208 J Floyd (Haywards Heath) 70 72 66, O Bergqvist (Swe) 70 70 68.
209 C Hill (Tantallon) 72 70 67
214 S Mazzoli (Ita) 73 72 69, C Fyfe (Cawder) 71 73 70, E Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) 71 71 72.
215 J Harling (Banchory) 72 68 75.
216 J K Volden (Nor) 72 73 71
217 A Fisher (Newmachar) 76 72 69, S Easton (Irvine) 75 72 70
218 G Burns (Williamwood) 73 74 71, C Peruzzi (Ita) 74 70 74
219 C Curren (Harburn) 75 70 74, J Wilson (Balmore) 77 70 72.
221 R Gordon (Alford) 74 73 74, D McNeill (Powfoot) 73 73 75.
222 S Blair (Royal Musselburgh) 79 70 73, C Cochrane (Marrio0tt Dalmaho) 75 73 74, R Ste4wart (Crieff) 72 75 75, T Simmonds (Gullane) 76 68 78.
223 L Cianchetti (Ita) 75 74 74, D McCreadie (Newton Ste4wart) 78 71 74, G Forrester (Lundin) 74 75 74, T Watson (S Africa) 74 74 75
224 A Wolstencroft (Carlisle) 77 73 74, K Mackay (Inverness) 78 72 74, F Davren (Williamwood) 72 76 76
225 A Wilson (Renaissance) 75 73 77, R Alexander (Braehead) 76 72 77, A Burgess (Nairn) 70 75 80.
226 F Rovengo (Ita) 76 73 77, J Lelliott (Worthing) 72 77 77, J Goth-Rasmussen (Den) 72 74 80.
227 D Bomarsi (Ita) 76 73 78
229 R Robertson (Old Ranfurly) 72 77 80
231 L Anderson (Deeside) 71 75 85.
232 G Cowen (West Lothian) 73 77 82.

HEAVY RAIN REDUCES SCOTTISH BOYS' STROKE PLAY TO 3 ROUNDS

The Scottish Under-18 boys' open amateur stroke-play championship has been reduced to 54 holes after heavy rain this morning delayed the start of the final day until 10.56am, which meant there would not be enough daylight in which to complete the final two rounds over The Roxburghe Hotel golf course at Kelso.
Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) leads the field by five strokes.
Stephen Gallacher, whose Foundation is sponsoring the event, will present the prizes at the conclusion.
 

FAIRSTONE BACKING FOR SCOTTISH AMATEUR AT BLAIRGOWRIE

SGU MEDIA RELEASE 

On home soil at Blairgowrie GC, Bradley Neil will next week bid to complete a notable double for 2013 by adding the Fairstone Scottish men's amateur crown, the Scottish Golf Union’s flagship event, to his Scottish boys’ title.

Hazlehead’s David Law was the last player to achieve the famous feat in 2009, with Neil seeking to continue a memorable season by doing likewise over the Lansdowne Course at his member club in Perthshire. 

A field of 256 players, balloting at a handicap of 1.3, will chase one of the most coveted prizes in Scottish amateur golf from July 29 to August 3, with the event enjoying a new title sponsorship from Fairstone Financial Management for the next three years.

Sixth seed Neil is hoping local knowledge aids his cause at Blairgowrie’s first-ever staging of the Scottish amateur match-play championship, having hosted the Scottish amateur stroke play championship on five occasions. 

“I guess there will be a little bit more expectation on me to do well,” said the 17-year-old, who has achieved gold for Team GB at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, claimed the Scottish boys’ title at Monifieth and helped Scotland reach the European men’s amateur team final during an impressive season.

“I obviously know the course, and that may well help, but a lot of the top players have played national events at Blairgowrie in the past. I’ll have home support, but so too will other guys from the club like Glenn Campbell, who won the Scottish Amateur at Southerness in 2005. He is one to watch.” 

Indeed, Campbell – like Neil a member of the Perth & Kinross side who won the Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship for the first time in 10 years at Blairgowrie last year – is in the first match out on Monday 29 July, teeing off at 6.45am against Greg Telfer from Prestwick St Cuthbert.

Nick Barr, Stuart Graham and Connor Neil, Bradley’s brother, make-up the five-strong bid from Blairgowrie, as the renowned venue looks forward to a superb week’s golf. 

In fact, the Scottish Amateur winner will join some famous names to have triumphed over Blairgowrie’s fairways. Australian great Greg Norman, for example, won his first event on the European Tour in 1977, when he claimed the Martini International over the club’s Rosemount lay-out.

Blairgowrie has the honour of hosting next year’s Junior Ryder Cup, immediately preceding the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, but it’s the Scottish amateur that comes first, with the 7,007-yard Lansdowne course providing a challenging test of narrow fairways and small greens. 

Lee Hartley, Managing Director of Fairstone Financial Management, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Scottish amateur championship, the SGU’s flagship event and one of the most prestigious events in amateur golf.

“Our company is very passionate about supporting golf and we are looking forward to the next three years of association with the event, starting with the week ahead at Blairgowrie. It is a great way to launch our new brand and we are excited about working with golf clubs and golfers, through the provision of a range of financial services, during our partnership.” 

At Royal Dornoch last year, Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest took the honours, defeating Bearsden’s Richard Docherty 9 and 7 to join a roll of honour which includes the likes of Charlie Green, Colin Dalgleish, Colin Montgomerie, Stephen Gallacher, Dean Robertson and Steven O’Hara.

Having tasted the big time at Muirfield at the Open, Forrest is eager to defend his crown back on the domestic scene. “I’m looking forward to a great week at Blairgowrie,” he said, ahead of a tie with Lanark’s Jamie Lamb in round one.
“Muirfield was a wonderful experience, something that I want more of, and I have to keep pushing to improve.” 

Forrest is the top seed, with Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald (seeded second and third respectively) among those also seeking to enhance their Great Britain amd Ireland Walker Cup claims with victory at Blairgowrie.

After a busy year of golf, St Andrews’ Ewan Scott has chosen to miss the event as he finalises preparations to start college in America, but the likes of Dollar’s Scott Borrowman, the fourth seed, Matt Clark, a recent winner on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit circuit, and Paul Lawrie’s son Craig will hope to contend. 
So too will Barry Hume, the champion at Downfield in 2001, after the former professional returned to the amateur circuit earlier this year.

Blairgowrie, which also offers the beautiful Rosemount test and the 9-hole Wee Course, was founded in 1889 and celebrates its 125 years in 2014. The hands of Alistair McKenzie, James Braid and Peter Alliss all helped shape the current lay-outs.

The 2013 Scottish amateur championship starts on Monday and concludes with the 36-hole final teeing off on Saturday morning. Spectators are encouraged to come along and support their local favourites with free entry to the course.

Live scoring and regular updates will be available throughout the week on www.scottisholf.org, on Twitter @SGUGolf or on SGU Facebook while the draw can be accessed by clicking here.
The eight seeds are
1 Grant Forrest (Craigielaw)
2 Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie)
3 Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
4 Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
5 James Ross (Royal Burgess)
6 Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)
7 Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon)
8 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill).

 

MONTROSE OPEN GOLF WEEK SCOREBOARD

SCRATCH MATCH-PLAY

 ROUND ONE RESULTS

W Bremner jun (Edzell) bt C Clarkson (Brough) 4 and 3.

J Robinson (Hornsea) bt G McCallum (Montrose Mercantile) 4 and 3.

C Penny (Newbiggin) bt J Beedie (Montrose Mercantile) 3 and 2.
G Strachan (Royal Montrose) bt J Douglas (Portlethen) 3 and 2.

L Balneaves (Greenacres, Ireland) bt G Cox (Newmachar) 5 and 4.

L Clark (Edzell) bt L Geddes (Montrose Mercantile) 3 and 2.

J Duff  (Newmachar) bt I Taylor (Kirriemuir) 3 and 1.

S McGill (Montrose Mercantile) bt R Le Clair (Royal Montrose) 2 and 1.   

G Tough (Edzell) bt S McMillan (Edzell) 7 and 6.

B Mitchell (Royal Montrose) bt S Dickson (Montrose Mercantile) 4 and 3.
G Stewart (Murcar Links) bt S McGurk (Yaz Links) 3 and 1.

R McHardy (Prestonfield) bt J Laing (Royal Montrose) 1 hole.

R Coull (Royal Montrose) bt G Barber (Royal Montrose) 10 and 8.
J Strachan (Royal Montrose) bt J Adams (Edzell) 3 and 1.
N Dyce (Strathmore) bt C Fraser (Brechin) 3 and 2.
G Hemsley (Mercantile) bt D Massaro (Le Robine) 4 and 3.

ROUND 2

Bremner bt Robinson 5 and 3.

Penny bt G Strachan 3 and 2.

Balneaves bt Clark 4 and 3.

Duff bt McGill 7 and 6.

Mitchell bt Tough 1 hole.

Stewart bt McHardy 1 hole 
 

J Strachan bt R Coull 3 and 2.

Hemsley bt Dyce at 19th.


FRIDAY QUARTER-FINALS

08.30 Bremner v Penny

08.37 Balneaves v Duff

08.45 Mitchell v Stewart

08.51 Strachan v Hemsley

VETERANS' MATCH-PLAY 

ROUND ONE RESULTS 

Derek Bruce (Royal Montrose) bt Ron Cameron (Montrose 

Mercantile) 5 and 4  

Ian McIntyre (Montrose Mercantile) bt Ron Aitken (Royal 

Montrose) 5 and 4  

Bill Stephen (Montrose Mercantile) bt John Smith (Royal 

Montrose) 2 and 1 

John Rushmere (Montrose Mercantile) w.o.  Malcolm Hannah 

(Royal Montrose) scr
 

FRIDAY'S SEMI-FINALS

13.30 Bruce v McIntyre.

13.45 Stephen v Rushmere.

SECTION B MATCH-PLAY 

 
12 – 24 HANDICAP

ROUND ONE RESULTS

C Bolland (Craigie Hill) bt R Wishart (Mercantile) 5 and 4.
 

W Haddick (Mercantile) bt G McMillan (Edzell) at 21st.

B Warrender (Edzell) bt A Littlewood (Montrose Caledonia) 2 and 

1.

J Hebenton (Royal Montrose) bt J Hurst (Mercantile) 1 hole
 

K Watt (Mercantile) bt A Mann (Brechin) 3 and 2 

R Salmond (Royal Montrose) bt G Alexander (Bishopbriggs) 1 

hole
 

Alistair Cole (Breakfast Hill) bt D Pirie (Mercantile) 2 and 1 
 

P Roberts (Mercantile) bt M Candy (Montrose Caledonia) 1 hole
 

G Low (Montrose Caledonia) bt R Dally (Irn Sokhna) 3 and 1
 

A Forsyth (Royal Montrose) bt M Penches (Sheddens Lethamhill)  

2 and 1.

 

D Morris (Mercantile) bt A Law (Callander) 1 hole
 

S Gordon (Mercantile) bt J Storey (Dunnerholme) DQ
 

K Kane (Sheddens Lethamhill) bt A MacDonald (Royal 

Montrose) 1 hole
 

I Hamilton (Edzell) bt A Shepherd (Mercantile) 3 and 2.

G Cruickshank (Montrose Caledonia) bt R Hogg (Ladybank) 

6 and 5.
 

G Marr (Mercantile) bt G Protano (Royal Montrose) 5 and 3.

CAMERON SHIELD

SEMI FINAL RESULTS

Michael Falconer (Montrose Caledonia) bt Ross Mitchell (Royal 

Montrose) 3 and 2

Cameron Glennie (Mercantile) bt Aidan Spark (Mercantile) 4 and 

3.

FINAL ON FRIDAY

13.15 Falconer v Glennie

CAMERON CUP 

SEMI FINAL RESULTS 

Ryan Spark (Mercantle) bt Harris Porter (Royal Montrose) 5 and 4.

Joe McDonald (Mercantile) bt Rhys Bailey (Montrose Caledonia) 

2 and 1.

FINAL - FRIDAY 

13.00 Spark v McDonald
 

SECTION A MATCHPLAY

 ROUND ONE RESULTS
UP TO 11 HANDICAP
A Reoch (Mercantile) bt W Bremner Snr (Edzell) 3 and 2.

E Wheat (Royal Montrose) bt  C Dawson (Woodhall Spa) at 22nd

Deryk McLean (Royal Montrose) bt M May (Edzell) at 21st
W Dryden (Mercantile) bt L Scott (Letham Grange) 2 holes 

M Taylor (Mercantile) bt E Callander (Forfar) 2 and 1.

Darren McLean (R.oyal Montrose) bt H Docherty (Montrose Mercantile) 2 and 1.
A Cunningham (Mercantile) bt C Strachan (Mercantile) 4 and 3.

F Harcus (Montrose Caledonia) bt R Blackwood (Cochrane Castle) 4 and 3
A Maiden (Mercantile) bt N Paton (Royal Montrose) 6 and 5.
D Muir (Mercantile) bt C Sandeman (Arbroath Artisans) 4 and 3.

P Mclaughlin (Brechin) bt J Turner (Kemnay) 2 holes.

I Kay (Mercantile) bt T McKay (Mercantile) 1 hole.

Andrew Cole (Drumpellier) bt M Wood (Arbroath Artisans) 3 and 2.
S Smith (Kemnay) bt S Benson (Cawder) at 20th.

K Milne (Mercantile) bt J King (Montrose Mercantile) 3 and 2
J Spark (Mercantile) bt I Stuart (Royal Montrose) at 21st