ENGLISHMAN EVANS IS TOP SEED IN AUSSIE MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

England's Ryan Evans is leading qualifier for the match-play stages of the Australian men's international amateur championship in the searing heat at Grange Golf Club, near Adelaide, South Australia.

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Qualifying Scores - Men
Qualifying Scores - Women
After three suspensions of play over the opening two days because of storm fronts and soaring temperatures, Evans and South Korean So-Young Lee emerged as leading qualifiers following 36-hole qualifying at the 2014 Australian Amateur Championships
Play was suspended for 75 minutes on Wednesday afternoon as the apparent temperature at Adelaide Airport (the closest recording station) rose beyond 39 degrees. 
A wind change shortly after allowed play to recommence as the temperature dropped.
Evans, from Wellingborough Golf Club near Kettering, finished with rounds of 68 and 67 to be the top match-play seed at 9-under par 135, three clear of Victorian Lucas Herbert (70, 68) and Japan's Kazuki Higa (68, 70) who finished at 6-under par.American and University of Kentucky sophomore David Snyder fired the round of the day with a 6-under par 66 to finish fourth best qualifier at 4-under par.
Victorian Geoff Drakeford finished in fifth place with Queensland's Damien Jordan sixth. Grange member Anthony Murdaca was the best of the locals, in a seven-way tie at 3-under par.
The top 64 men will now go on to the match-play stages.
Australian Women's Amateur Championship Qualifying:Sixteen-year-old South Korean So-Young Lee carded a second consecutive 69 to be the women's championship top match-play seed with a three-under-par total of 138.
She was the top qualifier by four strokes.
From 88 Country Club, south east of Seoul, Lee finished ahead of defending champion and Western Australian Minjee Lee who rebounded from her opening round 73 to finish with a 3-under par 69.
Victorian Su-Hyun Oh finished in a tie for third at 1-under par with 2013 Women's British Amateur championship beaten finalist, Luna Sobron from Spain.
Western Australian Jayde Panos closed in a tie for fifth place with South Australian and 2013 runner-up Jenny Lee and New South Wales's Shelly Shin at 2-over par.
The top 32 qualifiers will now contest the match-play stages.
The 36 hole men's and women's finals take place on Sunday, January 19.

YORKSHIREMAN BIRDIES EIGHT HOLES IN INWARD HALF OF 28 ON SPANISH GECKO TOUR

James Maw, playing out of Abbeydale Golf Club, Sheffield, had a sensational round of 10-under-par 61 to take a four-shot lead in this week's Spanish Gecko Tour event, the Sovex Invitational at El Paraiso Golf Club, Malaga on the Costa del Sol.
Maw reduced the inward half to only 28 shots, birdieing eight of the nine holes.
His bogey-free round also included two birdies before the turn, giving him a grand bag of 10 birdies.
For once, on a tour usually dominated by Spaniards, it was England's day with Englishmen in first five places at the end of the first round.
Marcus Armitage from Howley Hall, near Leeds and Jack Winer from Woolston Manor  at Abridge, Essex share second place on 65.
 LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 71
61 James Maw (England)
65 Marcus Armitage (England, Jack Winer (England).
66 John E Morgan (England)
67 Sandeep Grewal (England)
68 Carlos Rodiles (Spain), James Watts (England, Carlos Balmaseda (Spain), Alex Korinek (Czech Republic), Charly Simon (England), Martin Prihoda (Czech Republic), Edward Kent (England), Gervasio Cuquejo Merchan (Spain), Juan Carlos Osorio (Spain).

TO VIEW ALL THE FIRST-ROUND SCORES

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FOUR SHARE FIRST PLACE IN NE ALLIANCE AT MURKY MURCAR

REPORT BY COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Joint winner with a 69, Northern Open champion David Law rated today's thoroughly unpleasant conditions at the North-east Alliance at murky Murcar Links the worst he had played in for a long, long time.
Some felt the cold more than others but it was 
wet with a bit of wind in the competitors' faces after the turn, and the low lying mist reduced visibility to the extent that the sea was not visible from the clubhouse until the ships in the bay turned their lights on in mid-afternoon.
The fact that slow play meant rounds were taking the best part of five hours in such miserable conditions did not help at all.
In all, three professionals - Law and Jordan Findlay from the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre stable, Lee Vannet (Carnoustie Links) - and one amateur, Meldrum House GC +1 member Greg Watson - tied for first place, matching the winter par of 69.
The tally of No Returns is usually indicative of how bad the weather was and a total of  25 No returns from a starting field of 80 tells its own story. 
There were also at least a dozen withdrawals from the original set of tee times.
Law was winning for the third time on the circuit, albeit having to share the honours this time.  He  birdied four holes, including the 18th with a 12ft putt, which he rated the highlight of his round, because it meant the endurance test was over.
"It was a bit of a grind in the worst weather I've played golf in for a long time," said Law who is off to Turkey on Sunday for two German PGA Tour events.
Findlay, "putting well,"  had three birdies, including a 2 at the short 12th, no mean feat in the conditions. He hit a seven-iron to within 15ft of the flagstick and downed the putt.
Craibstone-based golf teacher Vannet, like Findlay a former British boys champion, chipped in from off the green at the par-4 seventh for the second of four birdies. Watson dropped fewer shots than his pro rivals - only two bogeys - and birdied the ninth and 18th.
Spare a thought for Philip McLean. The Peterhead-based Paul Lawrie GC player, had more birdies than anyone - SIX, all within the first 11 holes: the second, fourth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 11th in a best of the day outward half of 32.
But he took 43 blows to come home, running up a triple bogey 7 at the 10th and dropping another seven shots to par over the last six holes and finished tied eighth on 75. 
 
SCRATCH
Par 69 (35-34)
69 D Law (Paul Lawrie GC) 35-34, G Watson (Meldrum House) 35-34, L Vannet (Carnoustie GL) 34-35, J Findlay (Paul Lawrie GC) 33-36
73 A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 37-36, John Duff (Newmachar) 38-35
74 C Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC) 36-38.
75 K Nicol (Paul Lawrie GC) 36-39, P McLean (Paul Lawrie GC) 32-43.
76 P Morrison (Oldmeldrum) 38-38, K Shanks (Elie) 37-39, N Young (Insch) 38-38, K Beveridge (Kippie Lodge) 38-38, D Lane (Deeside) 36-40, S Finnie (Caledonian) 37-39.
77 C Nelson (Mackenzie Shop) 36-40, K Zeynalov (Paul Lawrie GC) 38-39
78 B Main (Murcar Links) 39-39, M Merchant (Newmachar) 39-39
79 S Kiloh (unatt) 40-39, D Fleming (Portlethen) 39-40
80 C Grant (Portlethen) 39-41 , C Dempster (Paul Lawrie GC) 38-42, Laura Murray (Paul Lawrie GC) 44-36, J Hopwood (Royal Aberdeen) 41-39.
81 A J Smith (Turriff) 41-40, J Duncan (Newburgh) 40-41, F Bisset (Banchory) 41-40
82 A Gall (Deeside) 41-41
84 C Cassie (Nigg Bay) 42-42, R Masson (Auchmill) 43-41, B Lawrie (Kemnay) 42-42, G Thom (Kemnay) 41-43, C Duffus (Kemnay) 40-44.
85 J Scott (Peterculter) 42-43, R Lamb (Newmachar) 44-41
86 G Milne (Fraserburgh) 45-41.
87 H Roulston (Stonehaven) 44-43, J Borthwick (Craibstone) 41-46, D Wilson (Duff House Royal) 40-47.
88 S Thomson (Caledonian) 45-43.
89 J Forrest (Northern) 42-47, W Skene (Deeside) 43-46.
90 A Clark (Newmachar) 44-46, D Bisset (Banchory) 48-42
91 D Lawrie (Aboyne) 45-46, D Nelson (Aboyne) 44-47.
92 M Winton (Caledonian) 45-47, P Craig (Kintore) 44-48, M Booth (Kemnay) 47-45
93 Steve Lawrie (Portlethen) 45-48
94 L Roger (Royal Aberdeen) 42-52, G Homer (Northern) 45-49
98 M Rendall (Stonehaven) 49-49
99 R Brown (Kemnay) 49-50
+Due to a NE Alliance computer malfunction, the handicap prizewinners will not be available for display this evening.


TEE TIMES FOR FRASERBURGH 
NEXT WEDNESDAY
 

8.15 A Campbell, A Smith, C Cassie, B Harper.

8.23 N Macandrew, P Morrison, K Shanks, C Law.
8.31 free

8.39 John Duff, R Lamb, C Lamb, I Grant.

8.47 D Mackay, C Nelson, P Anderson, free.
8.55 J Hamilton, L Roger, M Rendall, H Roulston.


9.03 R Brown, M Brown, S Davidson, P Leech.
9.11 J Scott, G Paterson, R Masson, D Townsley.
9.19 S Thomson, M Winton, D McDougall, free.
9.27 J Forrest, N Stewart, free, free.
9.35 L Vannet, A Gall, P Walker, free.
9.43 J Hopwood, K Beveridge Laura Murray, L Fowler
9.51 Steve Lawrie, C Grant, B Fyfe, free.
9.59 C Dempster, K Zeynalov, S Kiloh, R Mitchell.

10.07 B Lumsden, P Cheyne, G McDonald, D Wright.
10.15 A Clark, W Skene, D Lane, G Thom.
10.23 B Main, M Smith, R McRae, free.
10.31 D Leslie, G Homer, W Shaw, H McNaughton.
10.39 I Grant, J Jessiman, free, free.
10.47 G Milne, J Duncan, D Fleming, J Emslie.

10.55 T Collie, M Lawrie, B Lawrie, free.

11.03 D Nelson, A Graham, J Borthwick, M Rogers.
11.11 J Murray, D Bisset, F Bisset, D Randall.

11.19 J Pryde, G Joss, N Young, free.
11.27 D Brown, G McBain, free, free.
11.35 M Booth, S Finnie, D McKay, free.
11.43 Free

11.51 Free

11.59 D Wilson, J Nicolson, S Mackie, P Cornfield.

TOP SCORECARDS AT MURCAR LINKS
Card of the course: 
OUT: 4-4-4-4-3-4-4-4-4: 35
    IN: 4-4-3-4-4-4-3-4-4: 35

DAVID LAW 69
OUT: 4-3-5-4-3-5-4-4-3: 35
   IN: 4-3-4-4-5-4-3-4-3: 34

GREG WATSON 69
OUT: 4-4-4-5-3-4-4-4-3: 35
   IN: 4-4-3-4-4-4-3-5-3:  34

JORDAN FINDLAY 69
OUT: 4-3-4-4-3-4-3-4-4: 33
    IN: 5-4-2-4-5-4-3-5-4: 36

LEE VANNET 69
OUT: 4-3-5-4-3-4-3-4-4: 35
   IN: 5-3-3-5-5-3-3-4-4:  34

JOHN DUFF 73
OUT: 5-4-4-6-3-4-4-5-3: 38
    IN: 4-3-3-4-5-4-4-4-4: 35

ADAM DUNTON 73
OUT: 5-4-4-4-4-4-4-5-3: 37
   IN: 5-4-3-5-4-4-3-4-4:  36

CRAIG LAWRIE 74
OUT: 4-4-5-4-3-6-4-3-3: 36
   IN: 4-5-3-5-5-4-4-4-4: 38

PHILIP McLEAN 75
OUT: 5-3-4-3-3-5-3-3-3: 32
   IN: 7-3-3-6-5-6-3-5-5: 43 

HANDA PGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO STOKE BY NAYLAND

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR NEWS RELEASE
Europe’s leading senior professional golfers are set to dazzle in East Anglia this year with the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship returning to Stoke by Nayland for a third time.
Defending champion Paul Wesselingh and a clutch of ex-Ryder Cup stars will take centre stage at the resort which previously staged the prestigious tournament in 2006 and 2007 when it was won by Sam Torrance and Carl Mason respectively.
The 72-hole showpiece, the oldest on the European Senior Tour schedule dating back to 1957, will take place over Stoke by Nayland’s Gainsborough course from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8.
Reigning Senior Tour Order of Merit winner Wesselingh will be the man to beat as he bids to emulate legends Christy O’Connor and Neil Coles by lifting the title for a third successive year following his triumphs at Slaley Hall and Mottram Hall.
As part of their sponsorship of the tournament, ISPS has also backed an academy programme to train PGA pros in coaching blind and disabled golfers – a cause close to Dr Handa’s heart as he bids to take golf into the Paralympics.
Free lessons for disabled golfers by specially- trained PGA coaches will again be a feature of the tented village at the Suffolk venue during tournament week.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones added: “Having previously staged two championships at Stoke By Nayland Golf Club, we know we can be sure of a warm welcome and also an excellent test of golf for the best players.
“Last time it was contested, the competitors were full of praise for the course particularly the greens so we look forward to another exciting event.
“With an array of past Ryder Cup players in the field and the elite of European seniors golf, we look forward to another successful tournament and hope golf fans come and support the event.”
Stoke by Nayland has a long history of hosting top flight golf having staged the Weston Homes PGA International Seniors and is a regular stop on the PGA Europro Tour.
Stoke By Nayland boasts two championship courses – the Constable and Gainsborough - and is located in 350 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and lakes, on the edge of the Dedham Vale where world famous artist John Constable painted many of his best known works.

AUSSIE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS' TEMPERATURES TOO HOT TO HANDLE

The Australian men's and women's amateur championships have run into a problem that never occurs at a United Kingdom venue - IT GETS TOO HOT TO PLAY AT ITS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN VENUE.
The following notice has been posted for the players to read at The Grange Golf Club:

HEAT SUSPENSION ADVICE:
Play may be suspended during the afternoon round on Wednesday 15 January.
The Championships Committee has established that if a Bureau of Meteorology ‘FEELS LIKE’ temperature in excess of 39 degrees for the region (Adelaide Airport) is recorded, play may be suspended until further notice.
If this occurs, players will be required to remain at the golf club until advised otherwise.

 INTERNATIONAL FIELD AT
 ADELAIDE VENUE
A field featuring over 50 international players from USA, England, China, Wales, Spain, Japan, Singapore, Korea and New Zealand is teeing  it up against Australia’s best in the 2014 Australian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships at Adelaide.
A total of 288 players are playing two qualifying rounds before the match-play starts at The Grange Golf Club in suburban Adelaide. January vying for Australia's oldest golf championships. A place in the respective 2014 Australian Opens awaits the men's and women's title winners.
Qualifying is held over 36-holes with the leading 64 men and 32 women then contesting elimination match play.
The World’s No. 5 female amateur golfer and defending champion, Minjee Lee (Western Australia) is strong favourite to retain the women's title.
However, compatriot and World No. 2 Su-Hyun Oh will also be a force to be reckoned with after an outstanding 12 months.
The women's field has been boosted by a strong international contingent including Spanish World No. 18 Natalia Escuriola and fellow Spaniard and 2013 British Amateur Runner-up Luna Sobron with both contesting the event for the first time.
Defending New Zealand women's amateur champion Julianne Alvarez will also be a contender along with New Zealand team mate Munchin Keh.
The men’s championship will crown a new champion with last year's Cameron Smith (Queensland) having turned professional.
Grange Golf Club member and 2013 Australian junior champion, Anthony Murdaca will be among the favourites with a home course advantage, while Australian national squad members Taylor MacDonald (Queensland) and Ryan Ruffels (Victoria), who made headlines at the Emirates Australian Open, will also be in the mix.
One of the great stories of the men's championship is the entry of 13 year-old Chinese player Wocheng Ye who last May became the youngest player in European Tour history to qualify for a professional event at the Volvo China Open when he was 12 years, 242 days old.
World No. 5 male amateur golfer, Chang Woo Lee from South Korea will be a leading contender along with 16 year-old Zencheng Dou from China who is an outstanding talent with a number of top finishes in 2013 including winner of the China amateur championship and fourth place in the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
2013 Asia-Pacific Amateur runner-up, Shohei Hagegawa from Japan will also be looking to take the trophy off-shore along with his Japanese team mates Daichi Sato and Kazuki Higa.
New Zealand also brings their top talents including 2013 Lake Macquarie champion Josh Munn, and 2012 New Zealand stroke play and amateur champion Vaughn McCall. 
English players, Harry Casey and Ryan Evans and Welshme Jack Bush and Craig Melding, will also take their place in the field with the hope to take the trophy back to Britain.
The Grange is a highly regarded golfing complex with both the East and West Course ranked among the top courses in Australia.