Greg McBain returns to Newmachar as tour pro

Greg McBain, formerly a Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player, has rejoined Newmachar, the golf club of which he was a member as an amateur, writes Colin Farquharson

Winner of the Paul Lawrie Invitational tournament at Deeside in 2012 and again in 2014 (pictured right with the trophy), Greg will make his debut as Newmachar's tour pro in the second round of the North-east Alliance championship at Craibstone Golf Club romorrow.

McBain has a 65 in the first round at Inverallochy, only one stroke behind the joint leaders.

Hendricks and Stewart tie at Fairmont Torrance with two-under-par 70s

James Hendricks (Pollock GC) and Challenge Tour player Duncan Stewart (Turnhouse) tied for victory with two-under-par rounds of 70 in the eighth event of the CT Sports Academy Pro Winter Series

at the Fairmont St Andrews' Torrance Course today.

Scottish professional champion Chris Kelly finished third with a 71 and Alps Tour player John Henry finished fourth with a par 72.

LEADING SCORES
Par 72
70 James Hendricks, Duncan Stewart
71 Chris Kelly.
72 John Henry.

The Final event of the CT Sports Academy Pro Winter Series will be played at the Renaissance Club East Lothian on April 14.

Entries are now being accepted.

 

O'NEIL LEADING SCOT IN EGYPT

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Conor O'Neil, tied for sixth place after an opening 74, is the leading Scot at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Palm Hills Course, Cairo, Egypt as the Med Tour restarted today (Tuesday) with a 54-hole competition.

O'Neil is six shots behind the leader, Englishman Steven Uzzelli.

Next best Scots are Ben Craggs with a 75 and Fraser Moore a 76.

MED TOUR

Palm Hills Course, Cairo, Egypt

FIRST ROUND LEADERS

par 72

68 Steven Uzzelli (Eng)

69 James Scade (Eng)

71 Liam Murray (Ire), Xavi Puig (Spa)

SCOTS' SCORES

74 Conor O'Neill (T6)

75 Ben Craggs (T11)

76 Fraser Moore (T14)

79 Clarke Lutton (T22)

81 Craig Sutherland (T34)

88 Stephen Chalmers (T45)

WRIGHT AND HUGUET WIN AT DUNDONALD LINKS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Gareth Wright (West Linton) and Musselburgh's Norman Huguet shook off a better-ball bogey at the first to post a nine-under-par 63 and win the fourth in the PGA in Scotland Winter Series Four-ball competition at Dundonald Links, Ayrshire today (Tuesday).

Wright and Huguet had an eagle at the fifth and eight birdies - third, sixth, seventh, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th.

That hat-trick of birdies over the closing holes lifted them above runners-up Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) and Alan Reid (West Linton) who finished second on 64.

The winners shared £450, the runners-up £300 at the head of a field of 13 pairs.

PGA IN SCOTLAND WINTER SERIES FOUR-BALL BETTER BALL

Dundonald Links, Ayrshire

SCOREBOARD

par 72

63 Gareth Wright (Musselburgh) and Norman Huguet (Musselburgh) £450

64 Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) and Alan Reid (West Lothian) £300

65 Paul and Steven O'Hara (Clydeway Golf) £200

66 Stewart Savage (Dalmuir) and Craig Everett (Caldwell) £125

67 Ian Young and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) £75

69 David Orr (Eastwood) and Iain Hannah (Strathclyde Park); Craig Rnald (Carluke) and Jason McCreadie (Largs).

71 Stephen Gray (Kingsfield) and Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle).

72 Craig Armstrong (Burntisland) and Craig Goodwin (Duff House Royal); Graeme McDougall and Michael Bradfield (Elie Links).

73 Mark Loftus (Mearns Castle) and Simon Payne (Cowglen).

74 John Greaves and Graeme Fisher (Glasgow GC).

76 Paul Malone (Braid Hills)  and Craig Gordon (Edinburgh GC).

Order of Merit for Category 1 players

FROM BARRY HUME

I want to highlight an Order of Merit we have run for the last two seasons, aimed at Category 1 players and those wishing to play competitive golf at 36-hole events. Below is a link to some information:

https://www.facebook.com/2016-Order-of-Merit-sponsored-by-First-Tee-Fitness-1572949206313312/info/?tab=page_info 

A fixture list of twenty 36 hole events around Scotland aimed at category one amateurs who like to play competitive golf at away venues with other strong players.

Players can choose to play in any, all or some of the events on the schedule.

** Please note that entry fee into each 36 hole open is not included and is the responsibility of each player **
 
Key points for 2016;

1. You must play a minimum of 6 events to count towards Tour Championship qualifying.
2. Your best 6 points places will make your OOM score.
3. £50pp to enter the OOM - Prizes paid in Scottish Golf vouchers
4. Additional £10pp to go towards the Tour Championship fund.
5. £60 payable by 1st April 2016

Scoring System;Your best 6 events count towards your total points

Scoring System (400 the target)
100 points for win
70 points for top 5
50 points for top 10
25 points for top 20
10 points for top 30
NR = Zero points.

Handicap System;
Scr – 25 points
1 or 2 – 50 point start
3 or 4 – 150 point start
5 or higher – 200 point start
In this example, 400 points is the estimated winning target from 6 events. Each player 

should be able to accumulate enough points with consistent improving performances 

through a season as a competitive golfer to reach 400 points with their handicap adjusted 

starting point.

2016 schedule;

20 counting events - Plan your route to the Tour 

Championship!

*Saturday 23rd April - Edward Trophy @ Glasgow Gailes
 

*Sunday 1st May - Tryst Trophy @ Falkirk Tryst
 

*Sunday 8th May – McKinnon Wood Cup @ Cawder
 

*Sunday 22nd May – Blairgowrie Open
 

*Saturday 4th June – Baxter Trophy @ Strathaven
 

*Sunday 5th June - Ladybank Open OR Belleisle Cup (Player choice - 75% points at each)
 

*Sunday 12th June – Drumpellier Cup
 

*Sunday 3rd July - Cadzow Cup @ Hamilton
 

*Sunday 10th July – Newlands Trophy @ Lanark
 

*Saturday 6th August – Ralston Rosebowl
 

*Sunday 7th August – Craigston Rosebowl @ Cochrane Castle OR Bothwell Castle Quaich (player choice - 75% points at each)
 

*Saturday 13th August – Glasgow Open @ Pollok
 

*Sunday 21st August - Viking Krus @ Largs
 

*Saturday 27th August – Parlane Macfarlane @ Cathcart Castle
 

*Sunday 28th August – Innerpeffray @ Crieff
 

*Sunday 4th September – Kirkintilloch Shield @ Lenzie
 

*Sunday 11th September - Garnkirk @ Crow Wood
 

*Saturday 17th September – Arrol Cup @ Prestwick St. Nicholas

Double event weekends - 1 event to count per 

weekend. Best one counts for simplicity.
 

Double event days - personal choice. 75% points added due 

to diluted field depth at each.

There are more details on the link and updates on the page plus our Twitter account @csoom15. Anyone interested can email csoom15@hotmail.com too. 

The goal is to enhance the numbers and quality of the fields at these events and return them to their former glory in many cases! Young players looking for experience and game time, older players who can't commit to 72 holes in 1 weekend and local players wanting to be competitive.

Junior Flag Challenge expanded for 2016 

schedule to six courses: Entry fee £45

By  Clare-Marie Macaulay
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Junior Flag Challenge 2016 sponsored by Golphin. Following on from last year's success, we have expanded the tour with a further two courses on board and a new category for children who have a CONGU handicap.
The Flag Competition is open to children aged 7-12 years with the nine-hole Stableford competition for those with a CONGU handicap (max 28 for boys and 36 for girls) with an age limit of 16. Prizes will be awarded in age categories at each event.
 There will be Order of Merit prizes for both competitions in which children must take part in five out of six events to qualify for this.
This is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn the etiquette of the golf course, and play a fun but competitive event.

Courses and Dates 
Broadlees Golf - Sunday 24th April
East Kilbride Golf Club - Sunday 15th May
Mearns Castle Golf Academy - Sunday 22nd May
Playsport Golf - Sunday 19th June 
Whitecraigs Golf Club - Sunday 7th August 
Paisley Golf Club -Sunday 4th September 

How to Enter 
The cost to play in the six events is £45 which includes, a goodie bag, prizes and a meal per child at the final event at Paisley Golf Club. 
To enter please go to www.juniorflagchallenge.co.uk
For further information please contact Clare-Marie Macaulay on info@juniorflagchallenge.co.uk.

NE Alliance Championship Round 2: 

Updated tee times, Craibstone, tomorrow


First-round scratch scores listed where available
08:00 Charlie Cassie 76, Tom Boyle 79,  Brian Harper 68
08:10  
08:20 Albert Smith 69, Gary Esson 67, Andrew Campbell 65
08:30 Richard Blackmore 72, Raymond Reid 72, Doug Booth 75
08:40 Mike Brown 85, Raymond Brown 77, Sandy Davidson 80.
08:50 David Mackay 78, Kris Nicol 64 , Greg McBain 65, Terry Mathieson 68

09:00 Michael Rendall 86, Leslie Roger 79, Colin Nelson 70, Lee Vannet.  
09:10 Gavin Chalmers 73, Simon Hanson 71, Allan Stuart  
09:20 Joel Hopwood 68, Keil Beveridge, Laura Murray, Sam Macneil  72.
09:30 Phil McLean, Brian Ritchie 71, John Duff 64
09:40 Stewart Finnie 70, David McKay NR, Neish Chisholm, Steve Shand 75.
09:50 Steve Scott 78, Scott Mackie 71, John Hosie 82, Graeme Moir 79.
 
10:00 Hamish Macnaughton 81, Jim Scott 80, Bob Skene NR, Martin Forster 75.
10:10 Willie Beattie 79, Jim Stewart 83, Lenny Duncan, Keith McGillivary 75.
10:20 Jackie Forrest 80, Norman Stewart 81, Ben Lumsden 83, Mike Duncan 78
10:30 Les Fowler, Alan Gall 75, Steve Roger 70, Nigel Parker 78
10:40 Stewart Allison 79, Ritchie Davidson 79, Graham Mackie 84, Mike Winton 76
10:50  David Leslie 69, Gary Homer 77, Richard Wright NR, Peter Cheyne 73.
 
11:00 David Brown 69, Tommy Collie 77, Mark Lawrie NR, Glen Cochrane  81
11:10 Fergus Bisset 66, Jim Murray 81, David Nelson 78, Mike Rogers 82.  
11:20 , David Lane 80, Duncan Clark 75, I D Smith, R Duncan 87.
11:30 Richard Ruddiman 83, Graeme Thom 81, Derek Townsley 80. 
11:40 Craig Lawrie 66, Sean Lawrie 64, Kamran Zeynalov, P Lawrie.  
11:50 Ewan Riley 77, Graeme Riley 75, Jim Morris NR, Alistair Graham NR

12:00  Steve Lawrie 77, Cameron Grant NR, Derek Craigie 70.  
12:10 Kevin Duncan 66, Ross McKen 68, J Borthwick 66, S Kiloh.
12:20  
12:30  
12:40 Christopher Lamb 64, Robert Lamb 71, Manson Merchant 75. 
12:50 Brian Nicolson 69, John Nicolson 66, S Melvin, S Faskin.

13.00

Players are asked to inform the organisers before of after they play tomorrow  if they will be available, should they qualify,  to play in Thursday's one-round team stroke-play tournament at Craibstone.