RONNIE CLARK WINS BY ONE SHOT FROM IAN BROTHERSTON

ERSKINE MAN WINS SOUTH SENIORS 

OPEN AT STRANRAER

Ronnie Clark (Erskine) won the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society's South of Scotland Open over 36 holes at Stranraer Golf Club today (Friday).

Clark shot 67-75 for a two-over-par total of 142. The CSS was 72 for both rounds.

The Erskine man won by a shot from Ian Brotherston (Dumfries and County) (72-71) with Stuart Black (Cathcart Castle) third on 144 after a best-of-the-day 67 in the second round.

David Smith (Stirling), playing off four of a handicap, amd Keith Ross, a six-handicapper at Beith, had the lowest net aggregates of 143, both net 73 in the first round, followed by net 70s

LEADING SCRATCH TOTALS

Par 140 (2x70) CSS 70 70

142 R Clark (Erksine) 67 75

143 I Brotherston (Dumfries and Co) 72 71

144 S Black (Cathcart Castle) 77 67

145 D Shields (Glenearn) 75 70

147 B Stewart (Tulliallan) 73 74

148 D Gardner (Broomieknowe) 73 75, M Townsley (Dumfries and Co) 73 75

149 G Forrest (Northumberland) 78 71, J Fraser (Royal Burgess) 73 76

150 G Rees (Fleetwood) 75 75, D Taylor (Dunfermline) 75 75, L Blair (Grangemouth) 74 76

151 D Smith (Stirling) 77 74, S Ellis (Cowal) 73 78, J McDonald (Cowglen) 73 78.

152 K Thompson (Bramhall Park) 78 74, B Smith (Hamilton) 78 74, A Clark (Dumfries and Co) 75 77

153 J McManus (Uphall) 82 71. R Craw (Glenbervie) 81 72, D Dickson (Lochmaben) 81 72, J Johnston (Northumberland) 80 73, C Halcrow (Windyhill) 77 76, J Watt (Edzell)  74 79.
154 R Gray (Irvine) 81 73
155 J Kinloch (Cardross) 81 74, K Ross (Beith) 79 76.
156 G MacDonald (Glenbervie) 77 79
157 B Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 80 77, A E Raphael (St Andrews) 79 78, A Harrington (Western Gailes) 77 80, S Millar (Cochrane Castle) 76 81
158 T Carson (Lockerbie) 80 78, D Heaton (delamere Forest) 80 78
159 G Rodaks (Pitreavie) 81 78
160 D Hunter (Southerness) 83 77, S Drysdale (Turnhouse) 82 78, K Bruce (Edzell) 81 69
161 P Tomisson (Nairn) 82 79, A Taylor (Turnhouse) 81 80
162 N McGHarva (Kilmacolm) 80 82, D McQuade (Glenbervie) 79 83, P Kinloch (Cardross) 79 83, K Forrest (Lenzie) 79 83
163 Kenny Harrison (Carluke) 83 80, I Jeen (St Andrews Ne3w) 78 85
164 I Dickson (Lundin) 84 80, G Milne (Aberdour) 83 81
165 A Hogg (Turnhouse) 85 80
166 G Thomson (Glasgow) 86 80
167 D Nelson (Aboyne) 89 78, A MacNaught (Colchester) 89 78, G Doig (Southerness) 85 82, I Kerr (Kilmacolm) 85 82, J Russell (Monarch Dunes) 84 83
169 A Hogg (Stirling) 88 81
172 J Paterson (Ranfurly Castle) 80 92
175 M Mather (Ballater) 91 84
176 N Chisholm (Kemnay) 86 90.
180 I Gourlay (Strathaven) 92 88 

LEADING NET AGGREGATES
143 D Smith (Stirling) 73 70, K Ross (Beith) 73 70
144 S Black (Cathcart Castle) 77 67, K Thomson (Bramhall Park) 74 70, D Taylor (Dunfermline) 72 72, M Townsley (Dumfries and Co) 71 73, D Gardner (Broomieknowe) 71 73.
145 D Shields (Glenearn) 75 70, B Stewart (Tulliallan) 72 73, L Gordon (Turnhouse) 72 73, S Ellis (Cowal) 70 75.
146 J Johnston (Lanark) 77 69, T Carson (Lockerbie) 74 72, G Rees (Fleetwood) 73 73, A Clark (Dumfries and Co) 72 74

147 G Forrest (Northumberland) 77 70, J Johnson (Northumberland) 77 70, B Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 75 72, I Brotherston (Dumfries and Co) 74 73, C Halcrow (Windyhill) 74 73, J McDonald (Cowglen) 71 76.

FAIRSTONE SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP CLIMAX

 Chris Robb (left) and Graeme Robertson pose with the championship trophy for photographer Kenny Smith.

ROBB v ROBERTSON 36-hole FINAL AT 

DOWNFIELD TOMORROW 

FROM THE SGU WEBSITE
Summary by ED HODGE, SGU Press Officer
A new name will be on the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship trophy after Meldrum House’s Chris Robb and Graeme Robertson of Glenbervie progressed to Saturday’s 36-final at Downfield.
On a day of surprises over the former Open qualifying venue, Robb and Robertson held their nerve to set up the Angus showdown, starting at 8.30am tomorrow.
While the top two seeds Bradley Neil and Grant Forrest saw their hopes end at the quarter-final stage in the SGU’s flagship event, and the bid of 2001 champion Barry Hume come a halt in the last-four, Robertson and Robb marched on for debut final appearances.
Robertson, the 26-year-old SGU Men’s Squad player, had not been past the quarter-finals previously, while Robb, 23, has found his form after defeats in the early rounds in past years.

Robertson into the final at Downfield

It’s been a season of contrasting seasons for the pair. While Robertson was part of Scotland’s European Nations Cup-winning side, he admits his individual form has been “quiet”, while Robb has returned from finishing his college career in the US to claim two domestic Men’s Order of Merit titles.
Now they go head-to-head for the right to follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion, Alexander Culverwell, and emulate other past winners like Colin Montgomerie, Dean Robertson and Stephen Gallacher.
Dean Robertson was out following the action today, along with Monifieth legend Ian Hutcheon, the 1973 winner at Carnoustie, and the finalists hope to now get their hands on the famous silverware.
“I didn’t come into the week with any expectations, I’ve not had a great matchplay history,” said Robb, who signed off his time at the University of Chattanooga with a 64 in the NCAA Championship to earn All-American honours.
“I’ve tried to ignore my opponent as much as I can. Obviously, I’ve been talking to them during the rounds, but really concentrate on my own game. I’ve tried to have the mindset of playing a stroke play event.
“I’ve been talking to my friend and caddy Liam Johnston between shots, just trying to relax. I also like American-style tree-lined courses like this, it suits my eye. Graeme is a very good player and it should be a good match.”
Robb produced an impressive finish of five-under-par for five holes to see of 2013 SGU Men’s Order of Merit winner Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 3&1 in the quarters, before ending Josh Jamieson’s bid by 4&3 in the semi-finals.
Jamieson had earlier produced the shock of the week after knocking out Amateur champion and top seed Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) – both former team-mates in the Scottish Golf Academy – by the margin of 3 and 2.
Robb, who has played college golf with young American pros like Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay and Harris English and currently works with Scottish Golf National Under-18’s coach Neil Marr at Meldrum House, added: 
“I think there are a few members coming down from Meldrum tomorrow. It would definitely be good to take the title back to Aberdeen after David Law’s two wins in the championship (in 2009 and 2011).”

Meantime, Robertson came through a titanic battle with St Andrews Links Trophy winner and international team-mate Grant Forrest of Craigielaw, edging home in their quarter-final at the 22nd.
After a short lunch, Robertson then wasted little time in defeating Hume 6 and 4, bringing to the end a gallant week for ex-Tour pro Hume, who picked up a bronze medal with Jamieson as beaten semi-finalists.
“I felt I had good rhythm towards the end of my round with Grant and kept the momentum going,” said Graeme. “The last few holes against Grant and this afternoon against Barry are the best holes I’ve  played in a while.
“I’ve been saying to myself all year I usually have at least one really good tournament, like third place in the 2012 St Andrews Links and losing a play-off at the Stroke Play in Ireland last year.”
Neil, meanwhile, reflected on his defeat, having clawed back a two-hole deficit to be all square through 11 holes.
“Josh putted really, really well today, putted me off the course pretty much,” said Neil, 18. “But there was then two turning points in a row really. 
"I three-putted 12 to go back to one down and then he holed one up the hill on 13 for a half, when I was stiff for birdie.
“It’s been good preparation this week for America and the upcoming US Amateur, as I reckon the greens are going to be pretty similar, fast with a lot of run-offs.”
Forrest was equally disappointed having been two up against Robertson with four to play, then stood one up playing the 18th.
“On 18, I hit a good 2-iron and almost just hit it too well and it ran through the fairway,” he said. “I was blocked out by the trees and then didn’t get up and down from the greenside bunker.
“It’s the first time I’ve played 18 this week. I think it affected me, I would have probably hit a 3-iron but it’s my own fault, I should have known.
“I didn’t play well enough today, lost my driving a bit. It’s been the best part of my game for the last couple of weeks. I didn’t leave myself in good enough positions and playing someone like Graeme made that hard. It was always going to be a tight match.”
Entry is free at Downfield for the 36-hole final with tee off at 8.30am and 1pm, so come along and enjoy the action!
> View scores from the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship

> View video clips and photos on SGU Facebook

DEESIDE PRO-AM WINNER PAUL LAWRIE IN THE MONEY AGAIN

CHRIS KELLY WINS McDONALD ELLON 

 

PRO-AM £1,161 PRIZE WITH A 63

   

Chris Kelly, without a win on the Tartan Tour since May 3 at Portpatrick Dunskey, broke his lean spell with a seven-under-par, bogey-free  round of 63 to take the top pro prize of £1,161 in the McDonald Ellon Golf Club pro-am today (Friday).

Kelly, pictured, obviously likes the course. He tied with Greig Hutcheon for victory in this event in 2010 with a 64. His 63 equalled the pro record set by Stephen Gray, the 2011 tournament winner.

Kelly was out in two-under 35 with birdies at the sixth and ninth. Then he really got down to business with an inward half of five-under-par 28. He birdied the 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th to finish two ahead of Thursday's Deeside winner Paul Lawrie (Carnegie Club), Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) and Christopher Currie (Caldwell). They each earned £716.

Lawrie and Currie had six birdies apiece but both bogeyed the 17th. Brown had an eagle 2 at the fifth.

Ellon-born Michele Thomson, a winner on the Paul Lawrie Ladies Tartan Tour at Cardrona last week, bogeyed the 14th and 17th after birdieing the first, fourth and sixth. She tied for 10th place and earned £171.

Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) earned £91 for joint 14th place on level par 70. She double-bogeyed the 17th and bogeyed the 18th when a couple of pars would have given her a 68 and more than doubled her payslip

Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) led the Experis Engineering 2 team of Richard Beattie (5), Jim Bennett (10) and Craig Mackenzie (17) to victory in the pro-am with a 19-under-par, two-ball net total of 121.

PRO SCORES

Par 70

63 C Kelly (£1,161)

65 P Lawrie (Carnegie Club), G Brown (Montrose Links), C Currie (Caldwell) (£716 each).

67 S Gray (Hayston) (£418)

68 G Hay (Nairn Dunbar), G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC), L Vannet (Craibstone), S Henderson (Kings Links) (£280 each)

69 Michele Thomson, I Colquhoun (Loch Lomond), R Cameron (Saltire Energyu), C Ronald (Carluke) (£171 each).

70 G McBain (Paul Lawrie GC),  M Patterson (Cruden Bay), Heather MacRae (Gleneagles), G Fox (Clydeway Golf) (£121 each).

71 J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) (£92)

72 C McMaster (Panmure), I Donaldson (Meldrum House) (£75 each)

73 S Aird (McDonald Ellon), J Lomas (Caprington)

74 M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy)

75 R Stewart (Newburgh), G Forbes (Murcar Links), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), C Gillies (Kingsfield).

76 C Mathison (Falkirk Tryst)
81 T Dingwall (Kemnay)

PGA EUROPRO REPORT AND SCORES

KELLETT FINISHES TOP SCOT IN 

IRELAND WITH BOGEY-FREE 68

A bogey-free final round of four-under-par 68 lifted Ross Kellett (Kingsfield) to a final placing of joint sixth on 209 in this week's PGA EuroPro Tour 54-hole tournament at Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club, Ireland.

Kellett, pictured, who had earlier rounds of 71 and 70, earned £950. He finished seven shots behind the winner of the £10,000 first prize, Englishman Stuart Archibald (68-65-69 for 202).

Elliot Saltman (Archerfield) earned £750 for an 11th place finished on 210 (70-73-67).

Younger brother Lloyd finished joint 29th on 215 (73-73-69) and earned £301.

Paul Shields (Kirkhill) and Newmachar's Malcolm Isaacs tied for 36th place on 219. Shields scored 75-73-71. Isaacs 72-74-73. Both earned £257.

Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) made £207 for a joint 48th finish on 225 (75-73-77) while Jordan McColl (Scotscraig) finished last of the 50 qualifiers on 226 (70-78-78) and collected £200.

PGA EUROPRO TOUR

Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club, Ireland

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

   Par 216 (3x72)

202 S Archibald (Eng) 68 65 69 (£10,000)

204 M McGeady (Ire) 71 67 66 (£5,000)

206 J Watts (Eng) 66 66 74 (£2,500)

SCOTS' TOTALS

209 R Kellett 71 70 68 (T6) (£950)

210 E Saltman 70 73 67 (11th) (£750).

215 L Saltman 73 73 69 (T29) (£301)

219 P Shields 75 73 71, M Isaacs 72 74 73 (£257 each).

225 J Findlay 75 73 77 (T48) (£207)

226 J McColl 70 78 78 (50th) (£200).

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PGA EUROPRO TOUR

ARCHIBALD WINS WALK IN MY SHOES OPEN
Basingstoke golfer finishes two clear on -14

Stuart Archibald won his first HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour title since 2011 with victory at the Walk In My Shoes Open at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Country Club in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

The Englishman carded a final round 69 to finish 14 under par, two clear of second placed Michael McGeady (North West Golf Club), who shot 66 for his final round on the par 72 course.

The victory is Archibald’s third win on the Tour and propels him to eighth on the Order of Merit, from which the top five at the end of the season earn a Challenge Tour card for 2014.

Archibald collected a winner’s cheque for £10,000, a brand new Motocaddy and Shotsaver range finder. However, following a bet with former European and PGA Tour player turned TV pundit John E. Morgan, the 30 year old must now also dye his beard blue.

“I wasn’t really sure about this week,” admitted Archibald. “I wasn’t sure how the course would play. It is quite firm and the greens are soft but we weren’t really sure if it was going to be a low scoring week, so when Watts went a bit crazy the first two days I was teeing off for my second round and thought it would be a struggle to catch him.

“My group for the second round managed to shoot a combined score of 20 under par, so we all carried each other through and that put me in a good position for the final round. I had a target in mind of 14 under and I thought that might get me there, and it proved the case.

“At dinner on Tuesday evening John Morgan was reminiscing and we shared stories. He told us all about how he had blue hair when he played PGA Tour, and he has been on about my beard all year long. He has told me not to shave it, to keep growing it.

“He said he would love to dye it, and I wasn’t so keen. But I told him if I won this week I would let him dye it any colour he wanted, and he went for blue. I have shot myself in the foot there so next week at Moor Allerton I will let John dye the beard blue.

“We have played in Ireland every year since I started playing the tour and we always get great support, so I want to thank everybody for that.”

Overnight leader Watts finished third on ten under after a final-round 71 and Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth Golf Club) and Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge Golf Club) shared fourth on eight under.

Ireland’s Mark Murphy forced himself into contention with eight birdies on the front nine. 

However, a double at the tenth and a bogey at 11 saw him slip back and he signed for a final-round 65 (-7) with a birdie at 14 to finish the tournament seven under and tied sixth with four other golfers, including Nick McCarthy who shot 29 for his back nine to card a 65.

Highlights of the Walk In My Shoes Open, including more on John E. Morgan’s blue beard bet with Archibald, air on Sky Sports on Tuesday, August 12 with repeats the following day. The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour heads to Leeds next week for the Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton Golf Club.

ENGLISHMAN LEADS AT END OF CHALLENGE TOUR DAY 2

GOOD EVANS! BEN COMES HOME IN 

30 SHOTS TO LEAD IN AZERBAIJAN

 EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
A back nine of 30 which included two eagles propelled Ben Evans to the top of the leaderboard on the second day of the inaugural Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open.
The Englishman opened with a three-putt bogey and was one over par after nine holes, but picked up six shots on his way home to sign for a round of 67 and enter the weekend on 11 under par, one shot ahead of Benjamin Hebert, who posted a stunning 62.
Evans’ remarkable run at The National Azerbaijan Golf Club began on the tenth hole, where he flushed his five wood to six feet and rolled in the putt for a morale-boosting eagle.
That was the catalyst for a birdie burst over the next two holes, and he leapt to the head of affairs after driving the 17th green and holing the resulting eagle putt from ten feet.
Evans said: “I actually played better today than I did yesterday. It took me a while to get going, but the eagle on the tenth was just the start I needed to my back nine.
“We got a bit lucky with the wind, because it dropped off at the start of the back nine, and there’s no chance of reaching the tenth in two if you’re hitting into the wind. Then it picked up towards the end of the round, when most of the holes play downwind.
“I’ve got the most out of my two rounds, because I didn’t actually feel that comfortable yesterday. My driving has been very good, but my irons weren’t quite on song. So to shoot 11 under over the two days is pretty good going.”
Hebert’s astonishing round was a full ten shots better than his opening effort – and there was a nine stroke difference in his score on the front nine alone.
Whereas on the opening day he went out in 38, this morning he covered the same stretch in a scarcely believable 29, courtesy of seven birdies.
It was the lowest round of Hebert’s career, and moved the Frenchman into contention to claim a fourth Challenge Tour title, having racked up a hat-trick of victories in rapid succession in 2011.  
He said: “I’ve been playing well for a few weeks now, but I didn’t expect to shoot 62 today. With the rain we’ve had the course was playing a little easier today, but not ten shots easier! I just played very well – I didn’t hole many long putts, so it wasn’t like it was a fluke.
“It was almost the perfect round, and more importantly it has put me in a very good position on the leaderboard. I probably need to finish in the top five this week to get into the Rolex Trophy in a few weeks, so that was my objective at the start of the tournament and hopefully I can do even better.
“I know I can play well and win out here, but what I’m really trying to do is get more consistency in my game. Sometimes my putting has let me down this season, but I’ve putted really well on these greens so far this week, and hopefully that can continue.”
The Scandinavian duo of Alexander Björk and Jeff Winther currently share third place on nine under par after carding respective rounds of 67 and 70.
In-form German Moritz Lampert lies in a share of ninth place on seven under par thanks chiefly to a trio of eagles, including a hole in one on the fourth hole.
The ace was one of three on day two, with Frenchman Guillaume Cambis and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber also getting in on the act on the 13th and fourth holes respectively.
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
133 B Evans  (Eng) 66 67
134 B Hebert  (Fra) 72 62
135 A Björk (Swe) 68 67, J Winther (Den) 65 70
136 M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 68 68, G Lockerbie  (Eng) 68 68, T Sluiter  (Ned) 67 69, E Espana (Fra) 65 71
137 J Rask (Swe) 69 68, A Marshall (Eng) 72 65, A Hortal  (Esp) 69 68, M Lampert (Ger) 72 65, J Edfors (Swe) 67 70, D Kemmer (USA) 69 68
138 J Makitalo  (Fin) 69 69, G Porteous (Eng) 65 73, G Murray  (Sco) 70 68, D Gaunt (Eng) 70 68, M Lafeber (Ned) 69 69, A Johnston (Eng) 66 72, N Holman  (Aus) 69 69, A Snobeck  (Fra) 69 69, A Velasco (Esp) 69 69, D Stewart (Sco) 71 67
139 S Hutsby  (Eng) 71 68, S Brown (Eng) 71 68
140 W Booth  (Sco) 69 71, G Boyd  (Eng) 71 69, J Lando Casanova  (Fra) 69 71, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 71 69,
141 L Corfield  (Eng) 70 71, J Gonnet  (Fra) 69 72, N Ravano (Ita) 70 71, B Chapellan (Fra) 67 74, C Bouniol (Fra) 70 71, A Rota (Ita) 70 71, A Tadini (Ita) 70 71, K Pratt (Aus) 70 71, G Cambis  (Fra) 70 71
142 B Stone (RSA) 75 67, T Lawrence (RSA) 70 72, N Lemke (Swe) 69 73, R McGee (Irl) 72 70, C Paisley  (Eng) 72 70, L Nemecz (Aut) 70 72, A McArthur  (Sco) 70 72, C Shinkwin (Eng) 72 70, L Gagli  (Ita) 70 72, S Arnold  (Aus) 71 71, M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 70 72, D Ulrich (Sui) 71 71, L Jensen (Den) 72 70, P Relecom  (Bel) 71 71, S Henry  (Sco) 73 69
143 D Law (Sco) 72 71, F Praegant (Aut) 75 68, G Shaw (Nir) 72 71, C Aguilar  (Esp) 69 74, A Kaleka  (Fra) 71 72, P McKechnie (Sco) 72 71, D Coupland (Eng) 70 73, E Dubois (Fra) 70 73, H Joannes  (Bel) 74 69, J Moul  (Eng) 73 70, K Benz (Sui) 73 70, T Remkes (Ned) 73 70, C Arendell (USA) 73 70, P Dwyer (Eng) 73 70
MISSED THE CUT
144 N Johansson (Swe) 72 72, W Besseling  (Ned) 69 75, R Davies (Wal) 74 70, P Maddy (Eng) 74 70, J Barnes (Eng) 77 67, J Garcia Del Moral (Esp) 73 71, J Kennegard  (Swe) 73 71, J Fahrbring (Swe) 74 70, H Porteous (RSA) 72 72, R Russell (Sco) 75 69, T Linard (Fra) 74 70, M Haastrup  (Den) 74 70,
145 J Huldahl (Den) 72 73, A Domingo (Esp) 72 73, D Im (USA) 75 70, B Ritthammer (Ger) 72 73, L Kennedy  (Eng) 71 74, M Wiegele  (Aut) 70 75, P Widegren  (Swe) 72 73, R McGowan  (Eng) 74 71, C Hanson (Eng) 75 70
146 J Senior (Eng) 75 71, J Lara (Esp) 78 68, M Ford (Eng) 74 72, J Stalter (Fra) 69 77, J Legarrea (Esp) 73 73, N Kimsey (Eng) 75 71, J Elson  (Eng) 71 75, J Sjöholm (Swe) 73 73, O Stark (Swe) 74 72, M Delpodio  (Ita) 72 74, R Kind (Ned) 73 73, M Tullo (Chi) 71 75, S Little (Eng) 72 74, J Palmer (Eng) 74 72
147 J Roos (RSA) 72 75, D Owen (Eng) 74 73, R Gouveia (Por) 74 73, T Lee (USA) 73 74, W Harrold (Eng) 72 75, O Farr (Wal) 72 75, P Figueiredo  (Por) 73 74, C Brazillier  (Fra) 76 71, V Phillips (Eng) 76 71, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 74 73, P Edberg (Swe) 71 76, R Steiner (Aut) 73 74
148 N Quintarelli (Ita) 74 74, M Trappel  (Aut) 76 72, M Orrin (Eng) 74 74, A Bernadet  (Fra) 75 73, S Tiley (Eng) 75 73, J Wilson (Aus) 73 75, J Guerrier  (Fra) 70 78, A Dunbar (Nir) 73 75, G Woolgar (Eng) 74 74, J Allan (am) (Eng) 73 75
149 P Archer (Eng) 77 72, C Mivis  (Bel) 78 71, O Floren  (Swe) 75 74, R McEvoy  (Eng) 70 79
150 P Oriol (Esp) 72 78, J White (Eng) 76 74, W Huang (Chn) 73 77, M Stewart (Sco) 71 79, T Nørret (Den) 76 74
151 M Grönberg (Swe) 82 69, J Doherty  (Sco) 76 75, R Whitson (Nir) 76 75
152 O Wilson (Eng) 75 77, T Pulkkanen  (Fin) 78 74, L Goddard  (Eng) 77 75, B An (SKor) 71 81
153 D Geminiani (Ita) 74 79, G Pinto (Por) 73 80, D Vancsik (Arg) 77 76
154 D Frittelli (RSA) 74 80, H Sayin (Tur) 77 77
155 C Russo (Fra) 77 78, M Jarve (am) (Est) 81 74, M Palm (am) (Est) 75 80
156 K Zeynalov (Aze) 76 80, K Lifanov (Rus) 79 77
159 F Kolberg (am) (Tur) 79 80
166 A Kritikos (Gre) 85 81, A Atabek (am) (Tur) 78 88
 ** R Coles (Eng) 72 RT, R Enoch  (Wal) 74 RT        

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

FAIRSTONE SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT DOWNFIELD

IT'S GOING TO BE A CHRIS ROBB v 

GRAEME ROBERTSON FINAL

SEMI-FINAL RESULT

Chris Robb (Meldrum House) bt Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New) 4 and 3.


Robb, pictured left, was five under par in beating Jamieson. Robb was two up after nine

SEMI-FINAL RESULT

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) bt Barry Hume (Haggs Castle) 4 and 3.



Robertson, pictured right, had seven birdies and no bogeys in beating Hume who had to produce an eagle to win the 13th when he was five down.

STANDARD LIFE LEVEN GOLD MEDAL, AUGUST 9 and 10

	SATURDAY TEE TIMES (in pairs)
1	7.30		James Aitken (Dollar)
	12.30		Mark Anderson (Leven Thistle)
2	7.38		Oliver Armour (Machrihanish)
	12.38		Paul Reilly (Kilmacolm)
3	7.46		David Mitchell (Leven Thistle)
	12.46		Greg Wishart (Lundin)
4	7.54		Steven Aitken (Leven Golfing Society)
	12.54		Scott Michie (Kinross)
5	8.02		Garry McLetchie (Leven Golfing Society)
	13.02		Craig Wallace (Balbirnie Park)
6	8.10		Greg Forrester (Lundin)
	13.10		Scott Strachan (Letham Grange)
7	8.18		Angus Carrick (Douglas Park)
	13.18		Joshua Jamieson (St Andrews New)
8	8.26		Scott Brownlie (Burntisland)
	13.26		Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton)
9	8.34		Alister Hain (St Andrews)
	13.34		Alex Moir (Thornton)
10	8.42		Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle)
	13.42		Andrew Davidson (Charleton)
11	8.50		Steven Rennie (Drumpellier)
	13.50		John Duff (Newmachar)
12	8.58		Jake Hogg (St Andrews New)
	13.58		Adam Dunton (Mcdonald Ellon)
13	9.06		Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs)
	14.06		Scott Mann (Carnoustie)
14	9.14		Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie)
	14.14		Dan Lawrence (Ballumbie Castle)
15	9.22		Kyle McClung (Wigtonshire County)
	14.22		Fraser Moore (Glenbervie)
16	9.30		Alan Sutherland (Ladybank)
	14.30		Scott Stewart-Cation (Leven Thistle)
17	9.38		Brian Soutar (Leven Golfing Society)
	14.38		Andrew Collier (Balbirnie Park)
18	9.46		Tom Watson (Fancourt GC - South Africa)
	14.46		Barry Hume (Haggs Castle)
19	9.54		Oliver Roberts (Hong Kong Golfing Association)
	14.54		Craig Chalmers (Cawder)
20	10.02		Gary Page (Balbirnie Park)
	15.02		Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
21	10.10		Jeff Wright (Forres)
	15.10		Kyle Godsman (Moray)
22	10.18		Andrew Fyfe (Carnoustie)
	15.18		Ryan Campbell (Falkirk)
23	10.26		Steven Hume (Carnoustie)
	15.26		Anthony Blaney (Liberton)
24	10.34		Lawrence Allan (Alva)
	15.34		Chris Low (Tantallon)
25	10.42		Alasdair Simpson (North Berwick)
	15.42		Greg Smail (Craigielaw)
26	10.50		Sean McGarvey (Dunbar)
	15.50		Kenny Macaskill (Turnberry)
27	10.58		Ed Wood (Crow Wood)
	15.58		Craig Smith (Camperdown)
28	11.06		Christopher MacLean (Balmore)
	16.06		Simon Lockhart (Bathgate)
29	11.14		Ben Ferguson (The Vines - Australia)
	16.14		Lyle McAlpine (Royal Dornoch)
30	11.22		Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten)
	16.22		Connor Neil (Blairgowrie)
31	11.30		Lewis Bain (Turnhouse)
	16.30		Calum McAndrew (Leven Thistle)
32	11.38		Ross Brydon (Bruntsfield Links)
	16.38		Jack Harling (Banchory)
33	11.46		Nick Peoples (Tantallon)
	16.46		Sean Walter (West Linton)
34	11.54		Myles Johnston (West Lothian)
	16.54		Ross McEwan (Troon Wellbeck)
35	12.02		Steven Rogerson (Lundin)
	17.02		Greg Miller (Bathgate)
36	12.10		Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay, Arran)
	17.10		Michael Bacigalupo (Longniddry)

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PGA IN SCOTLAND

 Kerr Investments OOM Qualifying tee times

 Round 1: Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club

 13/08/2014

 Tee  Time      Name

  1   7:30 AM   Gordon Law, Uphall Golf Club
                Craig Gordon, Edinburgh Golf Centre

  1   7:40 AM   Ross Murdoch, Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club
                Ross Leeds, Turnberry Hotel

  1   7:50 AM   Ross Jack, Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club
                Richard Pickard, Loretto School Golf Academy

  1   8:00 AM   Scott Costello, Strathaven Golf Club
                Lewis Burnett, Mearns Castle Golf Academy

  1   8:10 AM   Andrew Burns, Bothwell Castle Golf Club
                Alan Welsh, Cathkin Braes Golf Club

  1   8:20 AM   Jonathan Sharp, Carrick on Loch Lomond
                David Nicol, Dundonald Links
                Ciar Porciani, Turnberry Hotel

  1   8:30 AM   Ross Neill, Drumpellier Golf Club
                Alan Waugh, Clydebank & District Golf Club
                Keir McNicoll, Gullane Golf Club

  1   8:40 AM   Norman Huguet, Musselburgh Golf Club
                Ross Dixon, Renaissance Club
                Greg Paxton, Ralston Golf Club

  1   8:50 AM   Cameron Marr, Musselburgh Golf Club
                Craig Haugh, Cawder Golf Club
                Callum Nisbet, Dukes Course St Andrews

  1   9:00 AM   Louis Gaughan, Bathgate Golf Club
                Duncan Williamson, Kirkhill Golf Club
                Stephen Craig, Craig Golf 79

  1   9:10 AM   Alistair Brown, Archerfield Links
                Ryan Buckley, Royal Musselburgh Golf Club
                Christopher McMaster, Panmure Golf Club

  1   9:20 AM   Daniel Wood, Hirsel Golf Club
                Jamie Mackay, Turnberry Hotel
                Scott Herald, Mearns Castle Golf Academy

  1   9:30 AM   Patrick Walker, Ballumbie Castle Golf Course
                Michael Mackenzie, Edzell Golf Club
                Helen Searle, North Gailes Golf Centre

Complete information is available at Tournament Information Page (TIP)

LET US HAVE YOUR VIEW

Talking points: BUCHAN FIRKIN, LACK OF BOYS' AND GIRLS' ENTRIES, MORAY OPEN'S UNSEEDED MATCH-PLAY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Talking points from recent tournaments:
1 Why has the Buchan Firkin lost its appeal to the professionals?
2 Why are the entries so low at this week's North-east District boys and youths' championships?
3 Why does the Moray Five-Day Open not have a seeded match-play draw?

Let's start with the Buchan Firkin, a 36-hole tournament hosted by Fraserburgh Golf Club and open to professionals as well as amateurs.
I can remember reporting on this event when pros of the calibre of Harry Bannerman - when he was Scottish pro champion - were entering this end-of-July competition.
So how many pros do you reckon played in the 2014 Buchan Firkin last Sunday? Only ONE - and he did not figure on the prizelist.
In the Buchan Firkin's hey day - a Firkin is a small barrel of fish (don't ask me what kind!) - there were not so many competitions around for professionals and they were glad to play in the Firkin.
So is the prize money not big enough to attract them to the Buchan Firkin these days? I don't know the answer to that one.
Maybe Fraserburgh Golf Club did not publicise this year's event to draw pro entries from the South.
Again I don't know.

RESPONSE from Iain Taylor (an amateur)
One of reasons I did not play in the Buchan Firkin was the £40 entry fee -  one of most expensive 36-holers in the North east plus with living in Aberdeen there's cost of travel plus food and drink so it would have been a very expensive day and one I could not justify entering.
Played Newmachar's 36-hole open a few weeks ago. Their entry fee  was £30 and that included soup and sandwiches.
In my opinion Fraserburgh Golf Club should bring down entry fees in line with other clubs and then they will get a bigger field.
====================================================================
I was at Inverurie Golf Club this past week for the North-east District's Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14 boys' championships.
And I will be at Auchmill on Sunday for the North-east District Youths Championship.
There is one common theme running through all three events - the number of entries is pathetically low.
Hardly an entry from boys who are members of the Aberdeen Links clubs and not many either from Hazlehead. These used to be the breeding grounds of our next generation of leading North-east amateurs.
Once upon a time being a North-east District champion at whatever age meant something.
We live in a changing world.
By the way, the situation is no better, possibly even worse, as far as Aberdeenshire girls are concerned.
I was at their monthly medal competition at Craibstone last Sunday when there were only FIVE entries. 
Various reasons put forward from visits to watch the Commonwealth Games to family holidays but again the trend is for fewer and fewer Aberdeenshire girls to be (a) taking up the game and (b) wanting to play competitively.

They've been playing the Moray Five-Day Open (for men) at Lossiemouth for over 100 years now.
But I was astonished when I was reporting on the most recent tournament to find that the leading qualifier after the 36-hole eliminator was playing another of the leading qualifiers in the first round of the scratch match-play stages.
How could this be? I asked myself.
The No 1 qualifier should be playing the No 32 qualifier, the No 2 v No 31 and so on.
But NOT in the Moray Five-Day Open.
When I queried the situation I was told that they have never had a seeded draw for the match-play.
All the qualifiers' names go into the hat and they are drawn out that way ... which is the reason by the top qualifiers were paired together early on - purely by chance.
But don't the organisers know that every male or female amateur championship of any standing adopted automatic seeding based on places in the qualifying tournament years ago.
Tradition is a fine thing ... but isn't it time the 100+years old Moray Five-Day Open caught up
with the way things are run nowadays?:

IF YOU HAVE A VIEW ON ANY OF THE ABOVE TOPICS, PLEASE SEND THEM TO
Colin@scottishgolview.com