Wednesday, July 30, 2014

FAIRSTONE SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

CHRIS ROBB COULD BE DARK HORSE IN 

LAST 32 AT DOWNFIELD

FROM THE SGU WEBSITE
Summary by ED HODGE, SGU Press Officer
Meldrum House’s Chris Robb has landed two domestic titles this season and now feels at home at Downfield as he chases the SGU’s flagship event.
SCROLL DOWN TO THE END OF THIS ARTICLE TO SEE THE THURSDAY 
MORNING ROUND 4 LINE-UP
At the Fairstone Scottish amateur championship, Robb (pictured) could be a dark horse for the silverware after booking his place in round four.
The 23-year-old from Banchory came through two ties yesterday to book his place in the last-32 against another in-form player, St Andrews’ Ben Kinsley, the Scottish boys championship runner-up.
Robb returned to Scotland for this season after finishing his college career in the US, claiming All-American golf honours at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
The North-east man quickly went on to win claim emphatic wins on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit at the East of Scotland Open at Lundin and the Cameron Corbett Vase at Haggs Castle. 
Now Robb he is chasing more success at Downfield, having already achieved his best-ever run in the event.
“It’s so far so good,” said Robb, who crushed James Wilson of Balmore 5 and 4 in the afternoon. “I’ve been trying to do what I do in strokeplay and just play my own game, not worrying about my opponent.
“I also like tree-lined courses, I guess that’s from being in America, so Downfield suits me fine. I’ve won two Merit events this season and reached the knock-out stages at The Amateur, losing to Bradley Neil in the second round. Hopefully I can keep things going.”
As Robb chases the title, Dunbar’s Alexander Culverwell is seeking to defend the crown, the eighth seed also moving into the fourth round having seen off a dangerous opponent, Thornhill’s Greig Marchbank on the 18th.
“I played Greig at almost the same stage last year and knew it was going to be a tough match. He has had a good season so I was pleased to get through,” said Zander, seeking to become the first player to defend the title since the late Charlie Green in 1983.
“I think Greig would agree with me in saying it wasn’t our greatest game, it was scrappy, but I got over the line.”
On a day when the wind picked up and the temperature cooled, various notable players kept their title challenges on track.
Neil, the top seed, was one of them, setting up an intriguing last-32 tie with his Blairgowrie clubmate Glenn Campbell, the 2005 champion at Southerness. Campbell is 41-years-old and Neil is 18, but the Amateur champion certainly won’t be taking the older man lightly.
“It was a big thing for the club when Glenn won in 2005,” said Bradley, who is 1-0 down to Campbell in their competitive head-to-head clashes after losing in the Perthshire county quarter-finals in 2010. 
“I know what Glenn can do and the course suits us both, as it’s a little like Blairgowrie.”
Campbell added: “I think we saw the potential of Bradley when he was 10 or 11-years-old. He works very hard and is reaping the rewards. It’s fantastic, and hopefully it goes on… but not tomorrow! I still feel I can compete out here, even though I don’t play as much as I used to.”
Kilmarnock Barassie’s Jack McDonald, the fourth seed and last year’s SGU Men’s Order of Merit winner, continued his serene progress with a 7 and 6 triumph over Greig Kennedy of Hazlehead.
Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New) also booked his fourth round berth, seeing off Boys’ international Murray Naysmith of Marriott Dalmahoy.
Elsewhere, the five-time Downfield club champion Stewart Smith kept the home flag flying as he set up a tie with Williamwood’s Fraser Davren, conqueror of Wayne Crole of Blairgowrie.
Crole knocked out British boys champion Ewen Ferguson 24 hours earlier but lost down the first extra hole to SGU boys’ squad player Davren.
Sixth seed Connor Syme (Dumfries and County) stayed on course for success, as did Barry Hume, the 2001 champion at Downfield. 
Hume won 3 and 2 against Anthony Blaney in round three, ending the hopes of the Lothians man who had earlier been five-under-par in defeating St Andrews’ Ewan Scott.
Late in the day,  seventh seed Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and the 2012 champion Grant Forrest (Craigielaw), seeded second, eased into the fourth round also, along with the likes of Kilmacolm’s Matt Clark.

  View latest results from the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship

View event photos and video clips on SGU Facebook

THURSDAY MORNING: ROUND 4 TIES
8.00 Glenn Campbell v Bradley Neil
8.08 Stewart Smith v Fraser Davren

8.16 Josh Jamieson v Kenny MacAskill
8.25 Kyle McClung v Zander Culverwell

8.32 Jack McDonald v Euan Bowden
8.40 Cameron Buist v Duncan McNeill

8.48 Chris Robb v Ben Kinsley
8.56 Liam Johnston v Ben Ferguson

9.04 Connor Syme v Calum Hill
9.12 Barry Hume v Gordon Munro

9.20 Campbell Donaldson v Euan Walker
9.28 Steven Stewart v Daniel Hendry

9.26 Graeme Rob ertson v John M8itchell
9.44 Mark Cameron v Matthew Clark

9.52 Scott Brown v Craig Ross
10.0 Grant Forrest v Jamie Lamb

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