Title race hots up at England's senior championship The title race at the Senior Men’s County Championship hotted up today with wins for BB and O and Devon at Robin Hood Golf Club, Solihull. BB and O (Berks, Bucks and Oxon) scored their second win of the tournament when they beat Worcestershire 5½-3½.  Meanwhile, Devon played their way into the mix with a 5-4 win over Yorkshire.  It means BB and O have four points so far, while Devon and Yorkshire are both one-match winners with two points each. It’s possible for all three teams to triumph tomorrow, although BB andO have the advantage of knowing that a win or a half in their match against Yorkshire, will give them the trophy. Wins by Yorkshire or Devon – who play Worcestershire – will lead to a countback to decide the outcome. Devon’s win today opened up the tournament – and owed much to an excellent singles performance. They were 2-1 behind after the foursomes but four of their players won their singles – including Graham Ruth who sped off to an 8 and 6 success. However, it was the last game on the course which proved the decider. The two teams were level pegging as Devon’s Philip Lyons reached the 18th tee all square, having lost the 17th. His opponent tangled with trees and a bunker, opening the way for Lyons to win the hole with steady play. Lyons is pictured (top) being congratulated by Graham Ruth (image © Leaderboard Photography). “The guys were brilliant,” said Devon captain Jon Gynne. “We are ecstatic and it puts us back in the mix. I think we are still outsiders – but we’re still willing to spoil a party! We’ll be going all out tomorrow.” It’s the same story for the other contenders. BB&O captain Ashley Brewer said: “We are in contention and, because Devon have beaten Yorkshire, it’s now for us to win or lose.” But Yorkshire captain John Grimbleby added: “It’s still in our hands tomorrow if we win.” BB and O made a quick start to the day with three wins from the foursomes, but Worcestershire rallied in the singles, winning 3½ points from the six games. BB and O were seen home by Andrew Stracey, a former senior international, and by Brewer. Stracey, who started with a birdie, made rapid strides just after the turn, winning three holes in a row to get to four up after 12. Three steady halved holes gave him a win of 4 and 3. Brewer, meanwhile, was playing at the bottom of the order and was four up at one stage but his lead was cut to one after 12.  He managed to win the 16th to get to two up and then secured the team’s win with a good four from a bunker on 17. Worcestershire’s highlights included a win by Bill Thompson who persevered doggedly against England international David Niven and eventually beat him one up. Their other points were provided by Peter Adams and Philip White with a half from Bryan Swain. Team captain Grenville Rose said: “I think they were a bit overawed yesterday but it was a different story today and the putting was much better. We were really pleased today.”  Thursday's matches: Devon v Worcestershire; BB&O v Yorkshire Click here for full scores Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193

Schmitz v Dull in US mid-amateur final

USGA NEWS RELEASE

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Sammy Schmitz, 35, of Farmington, Minnesota, and Marc Dull, 29, of Lakeland, Florida, each won quarter-final and semi-final matches on Wednesday to advance to Thursday’s 36-hole final match of the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, held on the par-72, 6,855-yard West Course at John’s Island Club.

Results:

QUARTER-FiNALS

Sammy Schmitz, Farmington, Minnesotsa (143) def. Joshua Irving, Dallas, Texas (147), 4 and 3.

Brad Wilder, Fort Wright, Kentucky. (148) def. Jess Daley, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (144), 1 hole

Marc Dull, Lakeland, Florida (147) def. David Gies II, Charlotte, North Carolina (144), 3 and 2
David Bolen, Lubbock, Texas (147) def. Todd White, Spartanburg, South Carolina (147), 4 and 3
SEMI-FINALS

Schmitz bt Wilder 1 hole.

Dull bt Bolen 4 and 3

Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance report, leading prizewinners

Willie Laing wins Michael Allan Memorial Trophy at Dalmahoy

REPORT FROM ALAN GREENSHIELDS
The second Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance outing of the new season saw us visit Dalmahoy Marriott Hotel and Country Club where 90 members contested the Michael Allan Memorial Trophy on the par 68 West Course on a day where the early starters
gained the better weather available.
Both Scratch and Handicap prizes were closely contested and Andy Marshall in the second game threw down an early challenge to follow up his win of two weeks ago with an eight-birdie round of 65. 
However, the trophy headed in the direction of Prestonfield's Willie Laing with a fine net 63 (70 less 6) to claim the silverware and top handicap prize from the net 64's of Robin Cockburn of Harburn (70 less 6) and David Thomson of Musselburgh (75 less 11).
On the Scratch front it was Neil Henderson of Renaissance Club who claimed top Scratch prize with a 4 under par 64 although he
had his eyes on a lower number following his outward 5 under par 29.
However, enough work was done to pip by one shot Andy Marshall (Houston Golf Range)  who
scored 65 with third scratch shared on 67 by Andrew Erskine (Ratho Park) and Richard Johnston (Glenbervie).
Top Trainee on 70 was new member Marc Owenson of Gullane with top Senior Prize heading to Baberton via Ron Grant with a net 65 (71 less 6).
Early days in the Order of Merits but as it stands the top three in each are -
Scratch
1. Andy Marshall (Houston Golf Range) - 119.0
2. Andrew Erskine (Ratho Park) - 111.0
3. Gordon Hillson (Dunbar) - 108.5

Handicap
1. Graeme Johnston (Glenbervie) - 38.0
2. Willie Laing 9Prestonfield) - 35.0
3. Robin Cockburn (Harburn) - 34.0

Next week's will be the Scottish Alliance Championships at Duff House Royal, Banff and  the week after that the East Alliance will head to Royal Musselburgh.
Alan Greenshields
Secretary
Edinburgh and East
of Scotland Golfers Alliance


SCRATCH PRIZEWINNERS                   
                  
Michael Allan Memorial Trophy            Dalmahoy West                           
Overall Winner        William Laing (Prestonfield)            63 net
                   
Scratch    Prize    Surname    Forename    Club    Score
1st    £100    Henderson    Neil     Renaissance Club    64
2nd=    £80    Marshall    Andrew     Houston G.R.    65
3rd=    £50    Erskine    Andrew    Ratho Park    67
3rd=    £50    Johnston    Richard     Glenbervie    67
5th=    £10    Bryce    Joe    Bathgate    68
5th=    £10    Callan    Stuart     Bathgate    68
                   
Handicap    Prize    Surname    Forename    Club    Net
1st    £100    Laing    William     Prestonfield    63
2nd=    £70    Cockburn    Robin    Harburn    64
2nd=    £70    Thomson    David    Musselburgh    64
4th=    £30    Fyfe    Derek    Duddingston    65
4th=    £30    Wyse    Ian    Falkirk Tryst    65
                   
                   
Trainee     Prize    Surname    Forename    Club    Score
Professional    £20    Owenson    Marc    Gullane    70
    £10    Munro    Ross     Duddingston    72
                  
Senior    Prize    Surname    Forename    Club    Net
    £30    Grant    Ronald    Baberton    65
    £20    Wither    George     Duddingston    66
    £10    Lamb    Peter    Glencorse    68

ALL THE SCRATCH SCORES                 
No    Surname    Forename    Club    Category    Gross
1    Henderson    Neil     Renaissance Club    Professional    64
2    Marshall    Andrew     Houston G.R.    Professional    65
3    Erskine    Andrew    Ratho Park    Professional    67
4    Johnston    Richard     Glenbervie    Amateur    67
5    Bryce    Joe    Bathgate    Amateur    68
6    Callan    Stuart     Bathgate    Professional    68
7    Wither    George     Duddingston    Senior    68
8    Boyle    Tony    Glenbervie    Amateur    69
9    Hillson    Gordon     Dunbar    Professional    69
10    McNicoll    Keir    Gullane    Professional    69
11    Cockburn    Robin    Harburn    Amateur    70
12    Gordon    Craig     Edinburgh Golf Cen    Professional    70
13    Laing    William     Prestonfield    Amateur    70
14    Lamb    Peter    Glencorse    Senior    70
15    Law    Gordon     Uphall    Professional    70
16    Owenson    Marc    Gullane    Trainee    70
17    Grant    Ronald    Baberton    Senior    71
18    Johnston    Graeme D    Glenbervie    Amateur    71
19    Lamb    Jordan    Glencorse    Amateur    71
20    Nicolson    David    Craigielaw    Amateur    71
21    Munro    Ross     Duddingston    Trainee    72
22    Dunsmore    Steven     Falkirk Tryst    Professional    73
23    Fyfe    Derek    Duddingston    Senior    73
24    Imlah    Craig    Craigielaw    Professional    73
25    Murphy    Kevin    Gifford    Amateur    73
26    Murray    Roy    West Lothian    Amateur    73
27    Wight    Andrew     Glencorse    Senior    73
28    Wilson    Tommy    Glenbervie    Amateur    73
29    Allison    Calum    Bathgate    Amateur    74
30    Boyle    Ross     Ratho Park    Amateur    74
31    Bradbury    Paul    Kingsknowe    Amateur    74
32    Brydon    David    Torwoodlee         74
33    Munro    Donny    Kingsknowe    Amateur    74
34    Robertson    Ewan    Longniddry    Senior    74
35    Rothney    Andrew    Deer Park    Amateur    74
36    Wyse    Ian    Falkirk Tryst    Amateur    74
37    Culverwell    Alexander    Dunbar    Amateur    75
38    Fyfe    Ian    Musselburgh    Senior    75
39    Leggate    Philip    Musselburgh    Amateur    75
40    Strachan    Sandy    Deer Park    Professional    75
41    Thomson    David    Musselburgh    Senior    75
42    White    Justin    Harrison (Braids)    Amateur    75
43    Allan    Bob    Cardrona    Amateur    76
44    Blaney    Anthony    Liberton    Amateur    76
45    Brookfield    Nick    Niddry Castle    Amateur    76
46    Forsyth    Walter     Peebles    Amateur    76
47    Fraser    Colin     Peebles    Amateur    76
48    Jeavons    Ian     Dunbar    Amateur    76
49    Skinner    Grant    Glencorse    Amateur    76
50    Bootland    Hinton     Duddingston    Senior    77
51    Carrigan    Michael     Greenburn    Amateur    77
52    Dand    Steve    Pumpherston    Amateur    77
53    Louden    Michael     Glencorse    Senior    77
54    Scott    Jim    Minto    Senior    77
55    Doyle    Steven     Liberton    Amateur    78
56    Veitch    Michael     Peebles    Amateur    78
57    Brown    Stuart     Dunbar    Amateur    79
58    Jervis    Derek    Prestonfield    Senior    79
59    Kay    Michael     Dalmahoy    Amateur    79
60    Miller    Thomas    Glenbervie    Amateur    79
61    Silvestro    James    Dalmahoy    Amateur    79
62    Stronach    Alan     Falkirk Tryst    Amateur    79
63    Wilson    Gerry    Musselburgh    Amateur    79
64    McElhinney    Andrew    Harburn    Amateur    80
65    Chrystal    Brian    Baberton    Senior    81
66    Cooney    Kieran    Kingsfield Golf Centre    Trainee    81
67    Gillies    Scott    Craigmillar Park    Trainee    81
68    Stewart    Duncan     Craigielaw    Senior    81
69    McInnes    Duncan    Longniddry    Senior    82
70    Wardlaw    Stuart     Harburn    Senior    82
71    Jeffrey    David    Longniddry    Senior    83
72    Louden    Peter    Glencorse    Amateur    83
73    Miller    William     Falkirk Tryst    Senior    83
74    Bell    Gordon     Gullane    Senior    84
75    Davidson    Stuart     Archerfield Links    Amateur    85
76    Rankeillor    James     Baberton    Senior    85
77    Watson    David     Peebles    Senior    85
78    Lees    Steven     Dalmahoy    Amateur    86
79    Mason    Andrew    Dalmahoy    Amateur    86
80    Watson    James    West Lothian    Senior    88
81    Sinton    Jimmy    Musselburgh    Senior    90
82    Anderson    John     Kingsknowe    Senior    NR
83    Brown    Gordon     Baberton    Amateur    NR
84    Denham    John    Torwoodlee    Senior    NR
85    French    Gary    Peebles    Amateur    NR
86    Gaughan    Louis    Bathgate    Trainee    NR
87    Hislop    Mark    Glenbervie    Amateur    NR
88    Marshall    Robert     Gogarburn    Amateur    NR
89    Martin    Duncan    Longniddry    Amateur    NR
90    Masterton    John     Mortonhall    Amateur    NR
HANDICAP SCORES WILL BE DISPLAYED
LATER ON THURSDAY

Report, scores from NE Alliance at a wet Ballater

YOUTH TO FORE - SAM KILOH AND CHRIS 

LAMB TIE ON TWO-UNDER 68

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Youngsters Sam Kiloh, a pro in the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre "stable" and Newmachar amateur Chris Lamb tied for the top scratch prizes at Ballater Golf Club in today's  North-east Alliance competition which was sponsored by Mike Brown  of Mike's Famous Fast Food.

They both shot two-under-par 68s on a day when the wet conditions saw only 69 turn up to play, and 15 of them had No Returns.

Kiloh won the September 9 Alliance at Kemnay while Lamb

was joint winner on September 23 over his home course.
Sam won £100 in cash and Chris a £100 amateur prize voucher at Ballater.

Gary Esson (Portlethen) recaptured some of his old form to fill third place with a 70, a shot ahead of joint third placed professionals Philip McLean (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) and Royal Aberdeen senior assistant Joel Hopwood.

There is no North-east Alliance competition next Wednesday because of the Scottish Alliance Championship at Duff House Royal over 54 holes from Tuesday to Thursday. Tee times for Banff will be displayed on this website tomorrow

The next NE Alliance meeting is at Banchory on October 21.

+SCROLL DOWN PAST THE SCOREBOARD TO FIND OUT TODAY'S HANDICAP PRIZEWINNERS.

BALLATER SCOREBOARD

Par 70

SCRATCH

68 S Kiloh (Paul Lawrie GC), C Lamb (Newmachar)

70 G Esson (Portlethen).

71 P McLean (Paul Lawrie GC), J Hopwood (Royal Aberdeen).

72 Sean Lawrie (Paul Lawrie GC)

73 D Leslie (Northern)

74 B J Ritchie (Inverallochy), F Bisset (Banchory)

75 A Campbell (Murcar Links), S Finnie (Royal Aberdeen), J Borthwick (Craibstone), R Blackmore (Tarland).

77 S Dunn (Deeside)

78 C Law (Kings Links), G Craig (Aboyne), S Shand (Kemnay),

79 A Stuart (Paul Lawrie GC), Steve Lawrie (Portlethen), J Stewart (Banchory), M Lawrie (Kemnay), M Merchant (Newmachar).

80 W Skene (Deeside), D Brown (Kemnay)

81 J Duncan (Oldmeldrum)

82 K McGillivary (Craibstone)

83 R Reid (Tarland), G Chalmers (Alford)

84 R Brown (Newburgh), P Low (Craibstone)

85 H Roulston (Stonehaven), S Allison (Deeside), D McKay (Caledonian)

86 C Cassie (Nigg Bay), D Booth (Tarland), W Beattie (Craibstone).

87 S Ross (Hazlehead), J Murray (Banchory)

88 D Mackay (Hazlehead), S Davidson (Northern), D Bisset (Banchory)

89 G Homer (Northern), G Mackie (Caledonian)

90 L Roger (Royal Aberdeen)

91 H McNaughton (Cruden Bay)

92 B Lumsden (Northern)

96 D Lawrie (Inchmarlo)

98 T Boyle (Portlethen)

99 L Duncan (Craibstone)

101 T Collie (Kemnay)

HANDICAP PRIZEWINNERS

Class 1 - D Leslie (4) 69; R Blackmore (5) bih, M Lawrie (9) bih,S Shand (8) bih, B McPheson (6) bih 70.

Class 2 - J Stewart (11) 68; S Ross (18) bih, R Brown (15) bih 69; P Low (11) 73; S Davidson (14) 74.

Leading Aussie amateur Murdaca turns pro

NEWS RELEASE

Antonio Murdaca, one of  Australia's leading amateurs, has turned professional and will compete at next week’s PGA Tour of Australasia’s Fiji International.

The 20-year-old rounded off his amateur career with sixth place at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Hong Kong at the weekend.

It was a year on from Antonio’s win in the same tournament at Royal Melbourne that booked him a place at The Masters.

He has signed up with ISM and Chubby Chandler to handle his affairs.

MENA Tour event report and scores

SPAIN’S CANIZARES WINS DIRAB PLAY-OFF AGAINST CRAIG HINTON

NEWS RELEASE FROM MENA TOUR

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia— Gabriel Canizares played out the drama to the last shot, winning the American Express Dirab Championship in a playoff against Craig Hinton for his maiden success on the MENA Golf Tour here on Wednesday.

Canizares, the overnight co-leader with England’s Luke Joy, needed a birdie at the last to edge the Englishman, but settled for a par en route to a closing 70 to extend the play as the two finished tied on 11-under in regulation.

Both players parred the first extra hole — the par-4, 18th — but Hinton missed the green on the second with an errant approach which resulted in a bogey while the Spaniard held his nerve to walk away with a par which was enough to seal the victory.

“I am really very excited to win this one. It wasn’t easy out there, but I am glad that I managed to get over the line,” said the Spaniard after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 from Shaikh Khaled Abunayyan, president of the Dirab Golf and Country Club, and Fahad Al Guthami, COO of American Express (Saudi Arabia) Ltd in the presence Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour.

“I was a bit nervous going into extra holes as my playoff record isn’t all the great. It’s 50-50. I think I got a bit lucky (on the second extra hole) when Craig failed to find the green,” said Canizares who, with this win, has proved that sporting prowess runs in the family.

“The competition on the (MENA) tour is very stiff and one needs to shoot at least 10 under to be in contention and that speaks volumes of the standard of golf here,” said the 41-year-old Spaniard, whose father Jose Maria is a European Tour veteran while brother Alejandro plies his trade in Europe.

England’s Hinton, who led by a good three shots after the opening round, raced to four-under after the 15th but a dropped shot after a wayward drive on the 17th blew his chances of winning the title as he closed with a 69.

“That bogey made the difference. And then I didn’t hit a good shot on the second playoff hole. I had my chances, but just couldn’t close the deal,” he said.

England’s Joy stumbled out of the gate with two bogeys on the first four holes and failed to recreate the brilliance he showed in shooting a course record 64 in the second round. His closing two-over 70 meant he finished fourth on seven under, three behind Thriston  Lawrence of South Africa,

Lawrence, who carded the final day’s best score of a 68, started with a flourish, firing back-to-back birdies before making the turn at three under. The bespectacled professional dropped a shot on the par-3, 11th, but made two more gains on 14 and 17 to round off a good day at work.

Morocco’s Mehdi Saissi continued his recent run of good form, winning the MENA Division for the second time in row. The 24-year-old, who turned professional earlier this year, reached four under for the tournament after carding a final round 70 to finish three shots ahead of his compatriot Ayoub Lguirati.

Lguirati, however, had the consolation of topping the overall amateur division, on one under, two clear of England’s James Allan. “Winning the amateur division was a goal of mine and I am glad that I have achieved it,” said Lguirati.

The MENA Golf Tour travels to Dubai next week for the Golf Citizen Classic at Els Club, starting on Monday.

American Express Dirab Championship results:
     par 216 (3x72)

205 Craig Hinton (England) 65 71 69, Gabriel Canizares (Spain) 65 70 70 (Canizares won sudden-death play-off).
206 Thriston Lawrence (South Africa) 70 68 68
209 Luke Joy (England) 71 64 74

211 Carlos Balmaseda (Spain) 73 67 71
212 Mehdi Saosso (Morocco) 74 68 70, Sixto Casabona-Navarro (Spain) 71 69 72
213 Mariana Ochoa (Spain) 70 68 75.
214 Chris O'Donnell (England) 70 72 72, Fredrik Lindblom 71 71 72 
215 Ayoub Lguirati (am) 69 74 72, Xavier Puig (Spain) 69 71 75

			216 James Betts 73 73 70 217 James Allan [Am] 68 71 78
			Elliott Oxlade [Am]		69	71	78	218
			Diego Suazo		74	70	74	218
			Ramon Mestre		72	73	73	218
			Karl Ableidinger		73	76	70	219
			Joe Heraty		73	69	77	219
			Trevor Marshall		71	77	72	220
			Mustapha El Maouas		76	73	71	220
			Victor Bertran		72	74	74	220
			Clarke Lutton		76	75	70	221
			Shafiq Masih		72	71	78	221
			James Ashman		75	71	76	222
			Tom Boys		72	80	71	223
			Karim El Hali [Am]		74	76	74	224
			Josh Taylor		77	73	74	224
			Haydn McCullen		76	73	76	225
			Paul Bucan		77	74	74	225
			Bouchaib El Jadiani		78	76	72	226
			Lee Corfield		78	75	73	226
			Ben Russell		79	74	73	226
			Faisal Al Salhab [Am]		79	73	74	226
			Ryan Smith		78	73	75	226
			Adam Ward		77	74	75	226
			Albert Sanchez Garcia		76	74	76	226
			Daniel Suchan		79	76	71	226
			Mohammed Bellaroussia		77	77	73	227
			Matthew Scarfone		73	74	81	228
			Ali Alsakha [Am]		75	76	77	228
			Yasin Ali		79	75	75	229
			Sergi Nogué		78	78	74	230
			Othman Almulla [Am]		79	72	80	231
			Faiyaz Amlani		78	74	80	232
			Amine El Malki [Am]		80	77	76	233
			Kenny Benoit		81	75	79	235
			Man-Seob Kim		78	80	79	237
			Prince Khaled Saud Al Faisal [Am]		74	82	81	237
			Benjamin David [Am]		73	81	87	241

Missed the Cut

		James Sayer [Am]	36	89	91		180 (*)
		Dan McLaughlin [Am]		88	86		174 (*)
		Omar Hariri [Am]		88	77		165 (*)
		Ali Belhareth [Am]		80	82		162 (*)
		Reid Perry [Am]		78	82		160 (*)
		Mark Chamberlain		78	81		159 (*)