Fife stroke-play championships' play-offs

Colin Martin (Balbirnie Park) beat Alex Moir (Thornton) and Scott Crichton (Aberdour) in last night's three-way play-off for the Fife men's stroke-play championship at Balbirnie Park.
The scoring was:
Colin Martin 69.
Alex Moir 73.
Scott Crichton 75.

The two-way play-off for the Fife youths' stroke-play championship was also decided with Alex Moir's 73 beating Scott Crichton's 75.

Byrne leads North-east youths

to victory at Inchmarlo

Banchory’s James Byrne spearhead North-east to a comfortable win over North and Angus in the inter-district youths’ stroke-play golf tournament at Inchmarlo Golf Centre, Banchory.
Byrne took the overall individual honours with rounds of 65 and 69 for a total of 134 – three shots ahead of North’s Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) with 68 and 69. David Millar from Oldmeldrum was third with 74 and 67 for 141.

North-east’s best seven from eight counting indidividual rounds over the 36 holes gave them a team total of 1004. North were second with 1036 and Angus third with 1066.
FINAL TOTALS
1004 NORTH-EAST 498 506 (J Byrne 65 69, A Dunton 71 74, G Carnie 73 75, R Bain 70 76, N McAndrew 72 78, S Robertson 77 71, D Millar 74 67, F O’Connor 73 74).

1036 NORTH 531 505 (F Fotheringham 68 69, C Gaitens 75 69, M Watson 77 71, J Treasurer 74 73, S Mann 84 74, I Allan 77 78, C Smith 79 80, N Howitt 81 71).

1066 ANGUS 542 524 (W Bremner 75 69, K Harper 71 74, R Mitchell 75 76, J Clarke 77 76, M Reid 78 75, C Bremner 80 77, S Gall 86 78, P Drummond 87 80).

Crichton is Fife youths match-play champion

Scott Crichton (Aberdour) won the Fife youths match-play championship at Dunnikier Park Golf Club this evening.
The No 1 seed beat the No 2, Alex Moir (Thornton) by 3 and 2 in the final.

Crichton v Moir in Fife youths' final

Scott Crichton (Aberdour) will play Alex Moir (Thornton) in Friday's final of the Fife youths match-play championship at Dunnikier Park Golf Club.
In the semi-finals, Crichton beat Josh Anderson (Glenrothes) by 4 and 3 while Moir beat Gavin Wilson (Ladybank) by 2 and 1.
The final will tee off at 5.30pm.

Fife youths match-play results

This evening's results in the Fife youths match-play championship at Dunnikier Park Golf Club.

Scott Crichton (Aberdour) bt Euan Crawford 4 and 2.
Josh Anderson w.o. Ryan Dziennik scr.
Gavin Wilson bt Martin Buchan (Thornton) 3 and 1.
Alex Moir (Thornton) bt Shaun Clark 4 and 3.

Stirling student rallies to win

Scottish youths championship

Stirling University second-year student David Booth from Rotherham survived a roller-coaster last day to become the first Englishman to win the Scottish youths open amateur golf championship at The Roxburghe golf course, Kelso today.
Booth, after a pair of five-under-par 67s on Saturday, held a five-shot lead from his Yorkshire golfing buddy, Matt Evans, at the start of the third round.
But Evans, a full-time Doncaster postman, looked as though he almost had the title signed sealed and delivered when Booth slumped to a third-round 80 while Matt had a 73, a seven-shot swing that had Evans two shots ahead of Booth and the rest of the trailing field going into the final 18 holes.
But there was another twist to come with Evans shooting 78 at the last time of asking for a final total of two-over-par 290.
Playing partner Booth wore the leader down, then moved past him with a 73 for a total of one-under-par 287. He was the only player in the field to finish under par for the 72 holes - a testament to his sterling play and also the testing conditions of wind and rain.
James Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale) had the best last round of 69, a very good effort indeed, to finish runner-up on 289.
And so English player finished 1-2-3.
The top Scot was Lewis Kirton, who plays on the American college circuit as a student at the University of Louisville-Kentucky. Kirton, a Newmachar member who lives at Oldmeldrum when he is not in the States, has been suffering from glandular fever for several months and he perhaps did not have the strength to push home a last-day challenge after a pair of promising 70s on the first day.
Kirton notched signed off with a 75 and a 76 - 151 shots for Sunday, compared with 140 for Saturday.
But for a disastrous triple bogey 7 at the last hole in his fourth round, Kirton would have finished third. He also had a double bogey 7 at the 14th in his third round.
His total of 291 earned him fourth place and prevented an England take-over of the leading eight places.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE FINAL TOTALS AND THOSE WHO MISSED THE CUT.

Scottish youths championship final totals
The Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course
Par 288 (4 x 72) CSS 75 75 76 75

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72) CSS 75 75 76 75
287 D Booth (Stirling Univ) 67 67 80 73.
289 J Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale) 73 72 75 69.
290 M Evans (Rotherham) 67 72 73 78.
291 L Kirton (Newmachar) 70 70 75 76.
294 R Crowe (Newcastle United) 74 70 76 74.
295 S Brace (Stoke by Nayland) 72 73 78 72.
297 T Shadbolt (Mid-Herts) 73 71 76 77, D Wright (Rowlands Castle) 69 74 78 76.
298 K Donaldson (Galashiels) 77 73 72 76, S Crichton (Aberdour) 71 78 73 76, R Bell (Downfield) 77 72 79 70.
299 J Clarke (Chelmsford) 76 74 72 77, K Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) 71 76 78 74, S McLaren (King James VI) 76 71 77 75, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 73 73 76 77.
300 J Scott (Deeside) 76 73 74 77, M Pospisil (Cze) 73 76 77 74, M Swan (Stoke-by-Nayland) 75 73 80 72, L McGowan (St Andrews New) 78 70 72 80, F McKenna (Balmore) 72 74 76 78.
301 D Law (Hazlehead) 72 76 77 76, A Best (Cleveland) 75 72 77 77.
302 B Britton (London) 76 71 75 80, A Winwood (North Weald) 75 70 78 78.
303 B Rushford (Grangemouth) 72 78 78 75, P McPhee (King James VI) 75 74 78 76.
304 P Shields (Kirkhill) 74 75 77 78, S Ballingall (Dunston Hall) 79 70 80 75, J Hiluta (Chelmsford) 72 74 77 81..
305 W Bremner (Edzell) 74 75 75 81, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 75 74 78 78, J Ross (Royal Burgess) 69 79 80 77.
306 S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 76 74 81 75, D Sommerville (St Andrews) 75 74 82 75, T Blennerhassett (Marriott Dalmahoy) 75 73 79 79, B Sloan (Hamilton) 73 74 84 75.
307 C Baird (Bothwell Castle) 76 71 85 75.
308 P Ferrier (Baberton) 72 75 82 79.
309 M Bookless (Sandyhills) 75 72 85 77.
310 J Vesanen (Fin) 77 73 78 82, A Sagar (Keighley) 76 72 77 85.
313 D Casey (East Sussex National) 75 71 84 83.
314 M Collin (Eyemouth) 74 72 87 81.
Withdrew: A McLachlan (Bonnyton) 72 78 - -.

MISSED THE CUT
151 M Daily (Erskine) 77 74, S McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle) 78 73, C Jess (East Sussex National) 76 75, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 75 76, R Prophet (Sandwell Park) 78 73, D Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 74 77, T Salminen (Fin) 77 74, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 79 72.
152 R Clarke (Moray) 73 79, T Beaumont (Sundridge Park) 78 74, R Noon (Longniddry) 72 80, D McGregor (Helensburgh) 76 76, A Campbell (Dumbarton) 77 75.
153 D Watson (Peterhead) 78 75, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 74 79, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 80 73, G Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan ) 76 77, B Cotton (Oxfordshire) 78 75, T Usher (Baildon) 78 74, S Hatton (Bowood) 74 79, K Shanks (US) 76 77, O Loftsson (Ice) 72 81, T Toivonen (Fin) 78 75.
154 F Pintor Smith (Spain) 74 80, E Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) 76 78, L Searle (Romanby) 80 74, G Villard (Fra) 77 77, N Henderson (The Glen) 76 78, M Watson (Elgin) 77 77, H Dobson (Fynn Valley) 79 75, S Thompson (St Andrews) 78 76, G Hilmarsson (Ice) 79 75.
155 A Wallace (Glenvervie 70 85, C McLaughlin (Largs) 78 77, C Conroy (Paisley) 77 78, A Finnbjornsson (Ice) 80 75, C Bell (Greenburn) 77 78, D Morrison (Duff House Royal) 82 73, G Minnes (Hayston) 78 77, M Main(Thornton) 77 78, J Duff (Newmachar) 76 79, A Birdseye (Hazledere) 77 78, M Brittan (Saltford) 75 80.
156 S Neilson (Dunbar) 82 74, A Cappi (Loretto School) 80 76, D Young (Craigie Hill) 78 78, C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 74 82, S Maxwell (Windyhill) 79 77, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 75 81, F Moore (Glenbervie) 75 81, P Petursson (Ice) 80 76, J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 77 79, G Stirling (Caldwell) 81 75, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 79 77.
157 J Neilson (Dunbar) 77 80, A Moir (Thornton) 76 81, S Carmichael (Baberton) 81 76.
158 K Reints (Net) 79 79, R McGrory (Singing Hills) 80 78, G Anderson (Flaxby Park) 81 77.
159 P McGhee (East Renfrewshire) 84 75, S Boyle (Harburn) 85 74, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 79 80, D Parlane (Helensburgh) 78 81, J Shanks (Irvine) 84 78.
160 K Scott (Hayston) 80 80, M Pennycott (Whiting Bay) 82 78, M Cunningham (Longniddry) 77 83, F Ogston (Singapore) 78 82, D Sefton (Lancaster) 81 79, J Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 79.
161 R Salmi (Finl) 81 80, K Harper (Carnoustie) 84 77, L Brace (Stoke by Nayland) 76 85.
162 N Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 81, C O'Neil (Pollok) 81 81.
163 S Tully (Duddingston) 80 83, A Graham (Crow Wood) 78 85, S Oddsson (Ice) 81 82.
164 A Lauder (Paisley) 81 83, P Buckendorf (Ger) 85 79, A Potts (Berwick) 82 82, S Barras (Helensburgh) 79 85.
165 D Murray (Newbattle) 82 83, V Vaisanen (Fin) 78 87.
166 C Morrison (Kilmacolm) 84 82, A Abercrombie (Largs) 84 82.
167 D Mitchell (Leven Th) 85 82, R Docherty (Bearsden) 85 82, G Richards (Kingsknowe) 83 84.
168 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 82 86.
169 S McGarvey (Glencorse) 86 83.
171 A Killen (St Andrews) 84 87.
172 A Forsythe (Caldwell) 87 85.
Disqualified: J Van Tondeer (SAf), J Bradley (Paisley).
Withdrew: R Carson (Marriott Dalmahoy) 80 -.Retired: P Dobson (Fynn Valley) 83 -.

Stirling student Booth slumps to an

80 and loses Youths' leadership

Stirling University second-year student David Booth lost his grip on the destination of the Scottish youths championship with a third-round 80 at The Roxburghe course today.
Booth had led by five shots from fellow Rotherham player Matt Evans after 36 holes but the positions were almost reversed for the start of the fourth and final round.
Booth's 80 - compared with his first two rounds of 67 - gave him a 54-hole tally of two-under-par 214.
Doncaster postman Evans, 21, surged past into a two-shot lead with a 73 for 212.
Only two of the top eight players are Scots - American college student Lewis Kirton from the Newmachar club and Liam McGowan (St Andrews New).
Kirton was in third place on 215 going into the fial round. He had a 75 after a pair of 70s.
McGowan is in a quadruple tie for fourth place on 220. He had a third-round 72.

LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3 x 72). CSS 75 75 75
212 Matt Evans (Rotherham) 67 72 73.
214 David Booth (Stirling Univ) 67 67 80.
215 L Kirton (Newmachar) 70 70 75.
220 L McGowan (St Andrews New) 78 70 72, J Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale) 73 72 75, T Shadbolt (Mid-Herts) 73 71 76, R Crowe (Newcastle United) 74 70 76.
221 Darren Wright (Rowlands Castle) 69 74 78.

Booth's repeat 67 puts him five clear

at halfway in Scottish Youths

Stirling University second-year golf scholarship student David Booth from Rotherham put daylight between himself and the rest of the field with a repeat second-round 67 in the Scottish youths golf championship at The Roxburghe golf course, Kelso, today.
Booth's halfway total of 10-under-par 134 was superlative scoring and put him five shots clear of his Yorkshire golfing buddy, Matt Evans, also from Rotherham. Evans had shared the lead with Booth on five-under 67 at the start of the second day's play.
Booth, 19, confined his firewworkds to an outward half of five birdies. He parred the remainder, but that was good enough for him to be out on his own in the pole position with Sunday's 36 holes to play.
Evans, a full-time postman in Doncaster, could not keep up with the pace being set by Booth but a 72 for 139 had him in second place in the clubhouse.
Newmachar's Lewis Kirton, a student at the University of Lousiville-Kentucky, moved into third place on 140 with a repeat 70. He looks to be the main hope of a home victory although it would need a collapse on the part of David Booth to open the door for someone like Kirton over the final 36 holes.
Spain's Francisco Pintor Smith, who won the youths title in 2006, missed the cut after an 80 for 154. A total of 44 players with totals of 150 or better qualified for Sunday's two rounds.
Pintor was not the only big name who failed to survive the cut.
Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie) was joint third after a first-day 70 but he fell away to an 85 and 155.
British boys' championship finalist Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) totalled 153 with a 74 and a 79.
Inchmarlo's Tom Spencer was right out of touch with 82 and 86 for 168.
Neil Henderson (The Glen, Berwick) missed the cut with rounds of 76 and 78 for 154.
QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
134 D Booth (Stirling University) 67 67.
139 M Evans (Rotherham) 67 72.
140 L Kirton (Newmachar) 70 70.
143 D Wright (Rowlands Castle) 69 74.
144 R Crowe (Newcastle United) 74 70, T Shadbolt (Mid-Herts) 73 71.
145 J Robinson (St Andrews) 73 72, S Brace (Stoke by Nayland) 72 73, A Winwood (North Weald) 75 70.
146 C Robb (Inchmarlo) 73 72, F McKenna (Balmore) 72 74, J Hiluta (Chelmsford 72 74, D Casey (East Sussex National) 75 71, M Collin (Eyemouth) 74 72.
147 P Ferrier (Baberton) 72 75, C Baird (Bothwell Castle) 76 71, B Sloan (Hamilton) 73 74, A Best (Cleveland) 75 71, S McLaren (King James VI) 76 71, B Britton (London) 76 71, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 75 72, K Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) 71 76.
148 A Sagar (Keighley) 76 72, T Blennerhassett (Marriott Dalmaoy) 75 73, L McGowan (St Andrews) 78 70, M Swan (Stoke by Nayland) 75 73, D Law (Hazlehead) 72 76, J Ross (Royal Burgess) 69 79.
149 A Culverwell (Dunbar) 75 74, S Ballingall (Dunston Hall) 79 70, M Pospisil (Czech Rep) 73 76, D Sommerville (St Andrews) 75 74, R Bell (Downfield) 77 72, J Scott (Deeside) 76 73, P McPhee (King James VI) 75 74, P Shields (Kirkhill) 74 75, W Bremner (Edzell) 74 75, S Crichton (Aberdour) 71 78.
150 J Clarke (Chelmsford) 76 74, S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 76 74, B Rushford (Grangemouth) 72 78, A McLachlan(Bonnyton) 72 78, K Donaldson(Galashiels) 77 73, J Vesanen (Finland) 77 73.
MISSED THE CUT
151 M Daily (Erskine) 77 74, S McGrenaghan(Cochrane Castle) 78 73, C Jess (East Sussex National) 76 75, G Robertson (Glenbervie) 75 76, R Prophet (Sandwell Park) 78 73, D Addison(Kilmarnock Barassie) 74 77, T Salminen (Finland) 77 74, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 79 7.
152 R Clarke (Moray) 73 79, T Beaumont (Sundridge Park) 78 74, R Noon (Longniddry) 72 80, D McGregor (Helensburgh) 76 76, A Campbell (Dumbarton) 77 75.
153 D Watson (Peterhead) 78 75, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 74 79, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 80 73, G Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan ) 76 77, B Cotton (Oxfordshire) 78 75, T Usher (Baildon) 78 74, S Hatton (Bowood) 74 79, K Shanks (US) 76 77, O Loftsson (Iceland) 72 81, T Toivonen (Finland) 78 75.
154 F Pintor Smith (Spain) 74 80, E Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) 76 78, L Searle (Romanby) 80 74, G Villard (France) 77 77, N Henderson (The Glen) 76 78, M Watson (Elgin) 77 77, H Dobson (Fynn Valley) 79 75, S Thompson (St Andrews) 78 76, G Hilmarsson (Iceland) 79 75.
155 A Wallace (Glenvervie 70 85, C McLaughlin (Largs) 78 77, C Conroy (Paisley) 77 78, A Finnbjornsson (Iceland) 80 75, C Bell (Greenburn) 77 78, D Morrison (Duff House Royal) 82 73, G Minnes (Hayston) 78 77, M Main(Thornton) 77 78, J Duff (Newmachar) 76 79, A Birdseye (Hazledere) 77 78, M Brittan (Saltford) 75 80.
156 S Neilson (Dunbar) 82 74, A Cappi (Loretto School) 80 76, D Young (Craigie Hill) 78 78, C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 74 82, S Maxwell (Windyhill) 79 77, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 75 81, F Moore (Glenbervie) 75 81, P Petursson (Iceland) 80 76, J Clarke (Royal Montrose) 77 79, G Stirling (Caldwell) 81 75, A Weir (Montrose Merdcantile) 799 77.
157 J Neilson (Dunbar)77 80, A Moir (Thornton) 76 81, S Carmichael (Baberton) 81 76.
158 K Reints (Netherlands) 79 79, R McGrory (Singing Hills) 80 78, G Anderson (Flaxby Park) 81 77.
159 P McGhee (EastRenfreshire) 84 75, S Boyle (Harburn) 85 74, A Sweeney (Carnoustie) 789 80, D Parlane (Helensburgh) 78 81, J Shanks (Irvine) 84 78.
160 K Scott (Hayston) 80 80, M Pennycott (Whiting Bay) 82 78, M Cunningham (Longniddry) 77 83, F Ogston (Singapore( 78 82, D Sefton (Lancaster) 81 798, J Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 79.
161 R Salmi (Finland) 81 80, K Harper (Carnoustie) 84 77, L Brace (Stoke by Nayland) 76 85.
162 N Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 81, C O'Neil (Pollok) 81 81.
163 S Tully (Duddingston) 80 83, A Graham (Crow Wood) 78 85, S Oddsson (Iceland) 81 82.
164 A Lauder (Paisley) 81 83, P Buckendorf (Germany) 85 79, A Potts (Berwick) 82 82, S Barras (Helensburgh) 79 85.
165 D Murray (Newbattle) 82 83, V Vaisanen (Finland) 78 87.
166 C Morrison (Kilmacolm) 84 82, A Abercromnbie (Largs) 84 82.
167 D Mitchell (Leven Thistle) 85 82, R Docherty (Bearsden) 85 82.
169 S McGarvey (Glencorse0 86 83.
171 A Killen (St Andrews) 84 87.
172 A Forsythe (Caldwell) 87 85.
Disqualified: J Van Tondeer (SAf), J Bradley (Paisley).
Withdrew: R Carson (Marriott Dalmahoy) 80 -.
Retired: P Dobson(Fynbn Valley) 83 -.
167 G Richards (Kingsknowe) 83 84.
168 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 82 86.

ENGLISH PLAYERS DOMINATE
YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP

English competitors dominated the first round of the Scottish youths open amateur stroke-play golf championship over The Roxburghe course, Kelso.
Two Rotherham golfing buddies, David Booth - a 19-year-old Stirling University golf scholarship student - and Matt Evans, a 21-year-old full-time postman in Doncaster, ended the day two shots clear of the big field after both shot sparkling rounds of five-under-par 67.
Another player from south of the Border, Darren Wright (Rowlands Castle) shared third place with Scotland boy cap James Ross (Royal Burgess) on 69.
Evans, who had a handicap of +3 and aspirations to turn pro perhaps by the end of year, looked as if he would finish in the outright pole position when he rattled to the turn in five-under-par 31 with birdies at the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.
But he went off the boil, fortunately for the chasing pack, after the turn when he could muster "only" one more birdie, at the 18th, and had his only bogey of the round at the 10th.
Booth, a +2 handicapper, who has just completed his second year at Stirling University, highlighted his halves of 33 and 34 with an eagle 3 at the long 14th. He also birdied the fourth, seventh, ninth and 11th, dropping only one shot, at the 10th.
Remarkably Booth had never even played a practice round over the course. He came to The Roxburghe from Turnberry where he missed the match-play qualifying cut by five shots - and went to get new contact lenses instead of playing a practice round on Thursday.
James Ross, a quarter-finalist in the Scottish boys championship in April and named earlier this week in the Scotland squad for next month's European boys' team championship at Bled, had halves of 34 and 34 for his 69. He started well to be three under par on the eighth tee, having birdied the short fourth and two long holes, the fifth and seven.
He dropped his first shot to par at the short eighth and birdied the long 11th before he shed his second and last shot, at the short 13th. A 2 at the short 15th helped his cause.
Darren Wright matched that score with halves of 33 and 36. He too found the early holes easier than the remainder of the course. Darren birdied the second, sixth and seventh - and then did a Nick Faldo by every single hole after that.
American college circuit player Lewis Kirton (Newmachar) started to show signs of recovering form in the British Amateur championship at Turnberry earlier this week. Lewis has been off-colour, maybe a bit worse than that, for months and it had an adverse affect on his golf in the States.
But he would have been feeling a lot better after an eagle 3 at the long 14th today, having birdied the first, sixth and 11th before that in halves of 35. He dropped shots at the 15th and 16th when he looked certain to break 70.
Andrew Wallace from Glenbervie dropped a shot at the first and another at the eighth but in between these low points, he snatched birdies at the second, fifth and seventh. A fourth birdie, at the ninth, put him out in 34. Things quietened down on the inward journey with a birdie at the 12th and a bogey at the 17th the only deviations from par.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
67 D Booth (Rotherham), M Evans (Rotherham).
69 D Wright (Rowlands Castle), J Ross (Royal Burgess).
70 L Kirton (Newmachar), A Wallace (Glenbervie).
71 S Crighton (Aberdour), K Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie).
72 A McLachlan (Bonnyton), O Loftsson (Iceland), D Law (Hazlehead), R Noon (Longniddry), F McKenna (Balmore). J Hiluta (Chelmsford), P Ferrier (Baberton), B Rushford (Grangemouth).
73 C Robb (Inchmarlo), R Clarke (Moray), M Pospisil (Czech Rep), J Robinson (Southport & Ainsdale), T Shadbolt (Mid-Herts).
74 M Collin Eyemouth), S Matton (Bowood), P Shields (Kirkhill), W Bremner (Edzell), D Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie), R Crowe (Newcastle United), F Pintor Smith (Spain), F Fotheringham (Nairn), C Thomson (East Renfrewshire).
75 A Winwood (North Weald), P McPhee (King James VI), A Best (Cleveland), M Bookless (Sandyhills), M Swan (Stoke by Nayland), M Brittan (Saltford), A Culverwell (Dunbar), D Sommerville (St Andrews), D Casey (East Sussex National), T Blennerhasset (Marriot Dalmahoy), G Robertson (Glenbervie), K Duncan (McDonald Ellon).
76 K Shanks (US), J Duff (Newmachar), B Britton (London), S McLaren (King James VI), L Brace (Stoke by Nayland, D McGregor (Helensburgh), A Sagar (Keighley), E Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie), J Clarke (Chelmsford), N Henderson (The Glen), S Binning (Ranfurly Castle), A Moir (Thornton), C Jess (East Sussex National), G Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan), J Scott (Deeside), C Baird (Bothwell Castle), S Brace (Stoke by Nayland.
77 C Bell (Greenburn), K Donaldson (Galashiels), M Main (Thornton), J Clarke (Royal Montrose), J Vesanen (Finland), T Salminen (Finalnd), A Birdseye (Hazledere), M Daily (Erskine), A Campbell (Dumbarton), J Neilson (Dunbar), I Redford (King James VI), G Villard (France), R Bell (Downfield), M Watson (Elgin), C Conroy (Paisley), M Cunningham (Longniddry).
78 F Ogston (Singapore), L McGowan (St Andrews New), V Vaisanen (Finland), T Beaumont (Sundridge Park), G Minnes (Hayston), R Prophet (Sandwell Park), T Toivonen (Finland), A Graham (Crow Wood), D Watson (Peterhead), C McLaughlin (Largs), S McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle), D Parlane (Helensburgh), D Young (Craigie Hill), S Thompson (St Andrews).
79 T Usher (Baildon), G Hilmarsson (Iceland), A Weir (Montrose Mercantile), S Barras (Helensburgh), S Keane (Cathkin Braes), S Ballingall (Dunston Hall), K Reints (Netherlands), A Sweeney (Carnoustie), H Dobson (Fynn Valley), S Maxwell (Windyhill).
80 R Carson (Marriott Dalmahoy), P Petursson (Iceland), L Searle (Romanby), K Scott (Hayston), R McGrory (Singing Hills), P Latimer (St Andrews New), A Cappi (Loretto School), A Finnbjornsson (Iceland).
81 C O’Neil (Pollok), G Anderson (Flaxby Park), S Carmichael (Baberton)m, G Stirling (Caldwell), D Sefton (Lancaster), J Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie), S Oddsson (Iceland), R Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barasse), R Salmi (Finland), A Lauder (Paisley).
82 D Morrison (Duff House), A Potts (Berwick), T Spencer (Inchmarlo), F Campbell (Clober), S Neilson (Dunbar), M Pennycott (Whiting Bay).
83 P Dobson (Fynn Valley), G Richards (Kingsknowe).
84 A Abercrombie (Largs), A Killen (St Andrews), C Morrison (Kilmacolm), P McGhee (East Renfrewshire), K Harper (Carnoustie), J Shanks (Irvine).
85 D Mitchell (Leven Thistle), S Boyle (Harburn), P Buckendorf (Germany).
86 S McGarvey).
87 A Forsythe (Caldwell).
88 M Pospisil (Czech Rep).

STIRLING STUDENT FROM YORKSHIRE
SETS HOT PACE IN SCOTTISH YOUTHS

Stirling University second-year golf scholarship student David Booth, who hails from Rotherham, set a challenging first-round target of five-under-par 67 in the Scottish youths open amateur stroke-play golf championship at The Roxburghe golf course, Kelso.
Booth is coached by Gordon Niven who was at one time the resident pro at The Roxburghe.
An eagle 3 at the 14th after birdies at the fourth, seventh, ninth and 11th in halves of 33 and 34 enabled Booth to demote clubhouse leaders James Ross (Royal Burgess) and Darren Wright (Rowlands Castle), both on 69.
Wright had not a bogey on his card. After birdieing the second, sixth and seventh, he reeled off 11 pars iin succession.
Ross, named earlier this week in the Scotland squad for the European boys’ team championship next month, had five birdies but bogeys at two short holes, the eighth and the 13th, dragged him down.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
67 D Booth (Rotherham).
69 D Wright (Rowlands Castle), J Ross (Royal Burgess).
70 L Kirton (Newmachar), A Wallace (Glenbervie).
71 S Crighton (Aberdour), K Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie).
72 A McLachlan (Bonnyton), O Loftsson (Iceland), D Law (Hazlehead), R Noon (Longniddry), F McKenna (Balmore).
73 C Robb (Inchmarlo), R Clarke (Moray), M Pospisil (Czech Rep).
74 M Collin Eyemouth), S Matton (Bowood), P Shields (Kirkhill), W Bremner (Edzell), D Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie), R Crowe (Newcastle United).
75 A Winwood (North Weald), P McPhede (King James VI), A Best (Cleveland), M Bookless (Sandyhills), M Swan (Stoke by Nayland), M Brittan (Saltford), A Culverwell (Dunbar), D Somnmerville (St Andrews).
76 K Shanks (US), J Duff (Newmachar), B Britton (London), S McLaren (King James VI), L Brace (Stoke by Nayland, D McGregor (Helensburgh), A Sagar (Keighley), E Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie).
77 C Bell (Greenburn), K Donaldson (Galashiels), M Main (Thornt)n, J Clarke (Royal Montrose), J Vesanen (Finland), T Salminen (Finalnd), A Birdseye (Hazledere), M Daily (Erskine), A Campbell (Dumbarton), J Neilson (Dunbar), I Redford (King James VI).
78 F Ogston (Singapore), L McGowan (St Andrews New), V Vaisanen (Finland), T Beaumont (Sundridge Park), G Minnes (Hayston), R Prophet (Sandwell Park), T Toivonen (Finland), A Graham (Crow Wood), D Watson (Peterhead), C McLaughlin (Largs), S McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle).

It's a wide open

Scottish youths

open amateur

stroke-play

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
The Scottish Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play championship, to be played at The Roxburghe this weekend (June 20-22), looks wide open with the lure of the championship enticing a good mix of international players as well as some leading names from the domestic scene.
Last year’s champion Scott Borrowman from Dollar is a notable absentee, having tested his mettle at Turnberry this week, but former champion Francisco Pintor Smith, pictured above when he won the trophy in 2006, has come over from Spain once again to challenge for the prestigious Youths crown.
The handicap ballot matches the record low of last year’s championship, set at 0.9, attracting the cream of U-21s from Finland, Iceland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, and the Netherlands.

From further afield, Keith Shanks from the USA and Jacques Van Tonder from South Africa represent two of the biggest threats within the field as the two lowest handicappers on +3.6 and +3.0 respectively.
Among the opening line up of 144 hopefuls is former Scottish boys champion Babertons’s Paul Ferrier, along with William Bremner (Edzell) who was left in Ferrier’s wake at the championship and has just returned from his first year in the US where he is studying a golf scholarship.
Other Scots who have returned from foreign climes to compete in the championship include Nairn’s Fraser Fotheringham, the British Boys Amateur runner up last year, who has spent much of his winter in Australia, and Frazer Ogston, who now resides in Singapore.
Other hopefuls in the title race include Boys Quadrangular team mates Hazlehead’s David Law and Bonnyton’s Andrew McLachlan. Both players are currently in the top three of the SGU Boys Order of Merit rankings, with Law already proving he can mix it with the men when he finished in the top ten at the Bidwells Scottish Stroke Play Championship at the Duke’s.
Law will prove a strong contender for the title, along with fellow Boys cap Paul Shields. The Kirkhill player is one of five players in the field who has been selected for Scottish representation at the European Boys Team Championship next month.
Dumbarton’s Andrew Campbell, quarter finalist at last year’s Scottish Boys Championship at Dunbar will be hopeful he can go the distance in the three day event, along with Stuart Ballingall, one of the quarter finalists from this year’s Boys national championship.
Current and former U16 champions Ian Redford and Sam McLaren have also thrown their hats in the ring, whilst Scottish Junior Champion of Champions title holder, Neil Henderson, one of the leading Scots on day one at the British Amateur Championship, may make it to the Borders for the championship if his Turnberry ambitions do not come to fruition.
Commenting on the event, SGU Events Manager Euan Mordaunt said, “The Scottish Open Youths title has again attracted competitors from near and far, with some unknown quantities in the field the title race is wide open which should make the championship very exciting.
“With the handicap ballot again at a very low 0.9, dropping from 3.6 over the last eight years, competition will be tough to make the Saturday night cut, with only the top 40 players plus ties graduating to the 36 hole final on Sunday.
He added, “The course is in excellent condition and is one of Scotland’s best inland courses which has undoubtedly contributed to attracting such a strong field. The signature ‘Viaduct’ hole at the 14th will be a highlight for those playing the picturesque course for the first time, and we are extremely grateful to The Roxburghe for hosting our national championship.”
Spectators are encourage to come along and support the players of the future following in the footsteps of Spanish ro Sergio Garcia, Open championship runner up in 2007, who currently holds the course record of 66 on the par 72 course.
Past champions at the event include Andrew Oldcorn, Stephen Gallacher and Europe’s Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley.

Adam Dunton wins NE youths
title by two strokes

McDonald Ellon’s Adam Dunton won the North-east District youths’ championship at Banchory Golf Club by two strokes with a one-under-par 36-hole total of 137.
Dunton, pictured left, made all the running, opening up a three-stroke lead from clubmate Kevin Duncan with a three-under-par 66 and then adding a 71 while Duncan soared to a 77 second time round.
Two players, Fraser O’Connor (Inchmarlo) and Nicholas MacAndrew (Hazlehead), tied for second place on 139. O’Connor’s better second round, a 67 to a 70, gained him the official runner-up place.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 138 (2 x 69).
137 A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 66 71.
139 F O’Connor (Inchmarlo) 72 67, Nicholas MacAndrew (Hazlehead) 69 70.
141 D Miller (Oldmeldrum) 73 68, C Robb (Inchmarlo) 72 69.
143 S Robertson (Hazlehead) 75 68, Jonathan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 74 69.
145 A Carrell (Peterculter) 75 70, F Milne (Fraserburgh) 73 72, W Rennie (Royal Aberdeen) 72 73.
146 S Smith (Deeside) 77 69, E McIntosh (McDonald Ellon) 75 71, D MacAndrew (Hazlehead) 75 71, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 69 77.
147 C Trahan (Inchmarlo) 73 74.
148 G Munro 76 72, R Penny (Portlethen) 76 72.
151 G Carnegie (Newburgh) 75 76, M Roger (Fraserburgh) 75 76.
152 G Nethercott (Murcar Links) 79 73.
153 J Plahn 80 73, A Hepburn (Fraserburgh) 78 75, R Milne (Aboyne) 77 76, J Shreeve (Banchory) 74 79.
157 A Mackie (Strathlene) 78 79.
158 T Spencer (Inchmarlo) 78 80.
159 S Soutar 78 81.
161 A Wiseman (Fraserburgh) 77 84.
164 G Kennedy (Hazlehead) 82 82.
172 I Taylor 91 81.

SCOTLAND BEAT IRELAND IN
YOUTHS INTERNATIONAL

Scotland beat Ireland 6-3 in the youths international match at Scotscraig.
The Scots took a 2pt lead in the foursomes and won the singles by one point.
Peterhead's Philip McLean was the only Scot to finish the day with a 100 per cent record.
Details:
SCOTLAND 6, IRELAND 3
Foursomes (2 1/2-1/2).
Ross Kellett & Michael Stewart halved with Paul Cutler & Fergal Rafferty.
Shaun McAllister & Scott Borrowman bt Andrew Hogan & Stephen Healy 5 and 3.
Philip McLean & Steven McEwan bt Dara Lernihan & David Leatham 4 and 3.
Singles (3 1/2-2 1/2)
Borrowman lost to Cutler 5 and 4.
Stewart bt Healy 3 and 2.
McAllister lost to Hogan 5 and 3.
McLean bt Leatham 6 and 4.
McEwan halved with Lernihan.
Kellett bt Rafferty 2 and 1.

Fraser and Bryan Fotheringham with their North District championship trophies (image by Robin Wilson).

Fraser and Bryan Fotheringham win North District titles at Forres

By ROBIN WILSON

Unable to take his place in the North District championship field since 2002 due to national events, former Scotland cap Bryan Fotheringham (Forres) took advantage of this year's home venue to win the title for the first time.

Played over Forres's Muiryshade course, the local favourite and +3 handicapper won with rounds of 69 and 65 for a a six-under-par total of 134.

Bryan finished a shot ahead of last year's British boys' championship beaten finalist, Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) - not directly related to Bryan - and Moray greenkeeper Kevin Thomson. Both were a stroke back with identical rounds of 67 and 68.
Fraser Fotheringham (18) emerged as North District youth champion and the Murray Watt Trophy winner, five ahead of local member Jeff Wright (16) who had a pair of 70s.

Fraser Fotheringham rescued his second-round score of 68 with a final nine holes of three-under-par 31 which included birdies on the 11th, 12th and 16th holes.

Championship winner Bryan Fotheringham also had a closing inward nine-hole count of 31 for his second round 65 after begining his final nine holes with three 3s and having a birdie 2 at the penultimate inward hole.
LEADING TOTALS

Par 140 (2 x 70). CSS 70 70.

134 B Fotheringham (Forres) 69 65.

135 F Fotheringham (Nairn) 67 68, K Thomson (Moray) 67 68.

139 G Thomson (Moray) 71 68.

140 J Wright (Forres) 70 70.

141 C Taylor (Kinross) 72 69, J Forbes (Inverness) 74 67.

142 L Chancellor (Inverness) 72 70, D Hexley (Inverness) 74 68, N MacWilliam (Garmouth) 70 72.

YOUTHS' CHAMPIONSHIP

135 F Fotheringham (Nairn) 67 68.

140 J Wright (Forres) 70 70.

143 J Treasurer (Inverness) 75 68.

146 C Stewart (Brora) 73 73.
HANDICAP
J Wright (Forres) (4) 132; K Thomson (Moray) (+1), J Treasurer (Inverness) (3) 137.

Scotscraig Under-21 match on May 27

SCOTLAND YOUTHS GOLF TEAM TO PLAY IRISH

The Scotland team to play Ireland in a youths international golf match at Scotscraig Golf Club, Fife on Tuesday, May 27 is:

Ross Kellett (Colville Park).
Philip McLean (Peterhead).
Scott Borrowman (Dollar).
Steven McEwan (Caprington).
Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw).
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck).