MIXED FORTUNES FOR SCOTS IN BIG FIELD AT FOXHILLS, SURREY

                      Ken Hutton ... good start. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

HUTTON AND MACKENZIE IN THE MIX
 
AFTER ROUND ONE OF SENIORS' CHSHP

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Downfield's Ken Hutton, who hails from the Muir of Ord, and Anglo-Scot Albert Mackenzie (Saunton) are sharing second place, only a shot behind leader Gary Marks, at the end of the first round of the £38,000 Senior PGA Professional Championship over 54 holes at Foxhills Golf Resort's two courses in Surrey woodland.
Hutton, who had five birdies over the first 11 holes, shot a two-under-par 73 over the 6,637yd course.
Mackenzie had only three birdies - first, seventh and 13th - but he had two fewer bogeys than Hutton, dropping a shot only at the 10th.
Englishman Mark was five under par after 12 holes but bogeyed the 14th and 16th when he had the chance to build a useful lead.
You would never have known but Marks has been out of action with a wrist injury for three months and a regional pro-am on Tuesday was his comeback appearance.
Other Scots in the leading five are Anglos Frank Kiddie (Barlaston) and Iain Parker (Royal North Devon), sharing fourth place on 72.
Fraser Mann (Carnoustie) had a 76 to be joint 32nd, a shot ahead of  Bill Lockie (North Gailes)  but Edzell's Alastair Webster had a disappointing seven-over-80 alongside Stephen McAllister in joint 87th place.
Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), who has been playing very well this season, had one of those days when nothing rhymed. He finished with an 81 for a share of 100th place in the huge field.
Former Stirling pro and Senior Tour campaigner John Chillas retired from the tournament after running up an 87 (45-42).
Russell Weir (Cowal) withdrew.
Hutton carved out his 71 on the Longcross course and was within a whisker of an ace at the 177yd par-3 11th where his tee shot lipped out.
Hutton's target is a top 20 finish to qualify for the ISPS Handa PGA Championship at Stoke by Nayland next month but he knows he cannot rest on his laurels, having made such a good start. 
"I played well in both practice rounds so was quite looking forward to today. Both courses seem to suit my eye although I didn't play the par-5s well today. But the par-4s and 3s I did play well.
"My irons were really good," said the Highlander.
 he said. "Both courses take no prisoners. You've got to drive it well. If you are off line you could rack up some big numbers. Some players had some big scores.That doesn't mean they've played badly. It just means the course has got them." 
Meanwhile a pep talk with fellow pro Andrew Hall gave Saunton pro MacKenzie a timely confidence boost as he surged into contention. "I had dinner with my good friend Andrew Hall last night and he gave me a lot of belief and just told me to enjoy my ability and sometimes maybe I don't think I can play as well as I sometimes do," said MacKenzie. "I feel very good mentally this week and am looking forward to the next two days.
  "I got off to a good start and holed some nice putts in the first four holes and that really was the foundation for the round. 

"The best shot I hit was a four iron into six feet on 16 and I was just glad to hit some good tee shots at the end and really I'm absolutely thrilled to get round the Bernard Hunt course with a red number."
The 54-hole tournament is being staged for the first time at Foxhills which was the long time base for two-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Hunt and in his memory the trophy has been renamed the Bernard Hunt Memorial Trophy.
There will be a cut after Round 2 with the top 50 and ties going through to the final round on Friday.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 73
70 Gary Marks (Eng)
71 Albert Mackenzie (Saunton), Ken Hutton (Downfield)

OTHER SCORES' SCORES
72  Frank Kiddie (Barlaston), Iain Park (Royal North Devon) (T4)
75 Paul Anderson (Berkshire) (T22)
76 Fraser Mann (Carnoustie), Kyle Kelsall (unatt), Graham Laing (North Wilts) (T32)
77 Bill Lockie (North Gailes), Stephen Craig (Craig Golf) (T45)
79 Murray White (Penfold Park), Henry Arnott (unatt)  (T67)
80 Alastair Webster (Edzell), Stephen McAllister (S McAllister Golf), Martin Gray (T87)
81 Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) (T100)
82 Robert Hunter (Malden), Ian Laambie (unatt), Duncan Williamson (Kirkhill), Alan Hemsley (Barnham Broom) (T116)
83 Stephen Marr (Withington), Iain Clark (unatt) (T128)
85 Roddy Watkins (Solent Meads), Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle)  (T145)
87 Jim Christine (Worplesdon) (T154)
88 Robert Webster (unatt) (T156)
89 Gordon Goldie (Chingford), Keith Baxter (Buchanan Castle) (T160)
Retired: John Chillas (unatt)
Withdrew: Russell Weir (Cowal), Garry Harvey (Kinross).



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