TWO-ROUND TOURNAMENT TEES OFF AT BUCKPOOL TOMORROW

DUFF BIDS TO HOLD PROS AT BAY AND

RETAIN NE ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Newmachar amateur John Duff, a winner four times on the 2013-2014 North-east Golfers' Alliance circuit, will be bidding to cap his memorable season by retaining the North-east Alliance 36-hole championship which will be played at Buckpool and Portlethen over the next two Wednesdays (March 12 and 19).

By this time next year Duff (pictured) hopes to have secured enough backing to enable him to turn professional.

This will be the 71st staging of the championship, first played in 1935. The most prolfiic winner of the title was Harry Bannerman - seven times between 1967 and 1984.

Duff's leading challengers in a field of more than 100 are likely to be professionals from the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre stable: Philip McLean, winner in 2009 and 2012, Tartan Tour No. 1 Greig Hutcheon, Kris Nicol, Jordan Findlay and Craig Lawrie, whose father Paul was the champion in 1989 and 1991.

Two other past professional winners, Carnoustie's Lee Vannet (1988) and Colin Nelson (Hazlehead Golf Shop)  (1997 and 2000), are also in the strong field.
Hutcheon tied with Duff after 36 holes at Montrose and Duff House Royal last year but lost out by virtue of having the poorer second round.

If Duff is to be succeeded by another amateur it could be Scotland cap Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) who has won twice on the Alliance circuit over the past four weeks.