Super Seniors and Autumn
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Doubles new events on
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Scottish Seniors' Golf
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Society 2010 circuit

By KEITH HOWIE
Captain of the Scottish Seniors Golf Society
These are the two new events on our fixture list this year - the Super Seniors Open at Stirling on July 29 and 30, and the Autumn Meeting Douobles for pairs over two East Lothain course, the Glen and Haddington, on August 26-27. Briefly the Super Seniors is Sandy Pirie's idea and the main trophy bears his name (Sandy is pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency). It is appropriate that the first one is at Stirling which, apart from its convenient central location, is where it all started for the Society.
The event is two rounds stroke play open to all amateurs, whether SSGS members or not, who have reached the age of 65 by competition date. There is a separate trophy for the over-70s and prizes, scratch and handicap, in age categories. Handicap limit is 12.4.
Entry forms can be obtained by emailing http://uk.mc870.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=khnextlevel@aol.com or in writing to Scottish Seniors Golfing Society, 69 Russell Drive, Bearsden, G61 3BB.
The suggestion for the Autumn Doubles came from Senior International and former Scottish Seniors Strokeplay Champion Steve Ellis. We are delighted to announce that Tullibardine Distillery have stepped in to offer sponsor support and we hope members will reciprocate by supporting the "doubles" connotation.
Host clubs will be The Glen in North Berwick and Haddington with one round of four-ball better- ball and one greensomes - the same format as we use for the Murcia Seniors Doubles. Pairings will consist of one member and one guest. The writer has managed to coax Bobby Blackwood, Cochrane Castle out of retirement for the event and there will no doubt be many interesting pairings.
Our season tees off with the Spring Meeting over Montrose Links and entries are coming in fast. 2010 is Royal Montrose's bicentenary and we are honoured to be invited to share the celebrations with the club.
Our regional 36-hole fixtures are hosted this year by Dumfries and County, Kinross, Glenbervie, Duff House Royal (in their centenary year) and Lanark. The Match-play is at Kinross and the Inter-county at Musselburgh.
The Order of Merit Shoot-out features the OOM top 30 and is held over Landsdowne course Blairgowrie. The fixture list is completed by the SSGS Murcia Seniors Open held for the third consecutive year at the brilliant Hacienda del Alamo Resort course from October 24-31st. Again the event is not limited to members and entry forms are available as detailed above.
The Society is buoyant with currently 400 on our member database and we are quietly pleased that President Gordon MacDonald's vision has re-awakened the competitive fire in so many senior amateurs the length and breadth of Britain and beyond. Membership details can be found on our website http://www.scottishseniorsgolf.com/

Men of Kent are English senior champions again

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION.
Kent are the kings of English seniors' golf again. They regained the title from old rivals Cheshire when they beat them 5½-3½ on the concluding day of the County Finals at Tandridge, while Dorset and Staffordshire tied their match to share third place.
After the morning foursomes had been halved, Kent took command in the singles, winning four of the six games, their internationals proving better than Cheshire’s.
It was a delighted Kent captain Nick Allen who said: “We have always previously come second to Cheshire and it’s about time we came out on top. I am very grateful that they didn’t play as well as us today.
“I am more than delighted for the team. I think we got away with murder in the final foursome which was halved because that half point could have proved crucial. I think the momentum shifted out way at that moment and we kept it going in the afternoon.”
Roger Fielding, the Cheshire skipper for all of their previous title-winning finals, was tasting defeat for the first time but praised Kent’s performance.
“We came to win and enjoyed the competition and I felt we put ourselves in a position to win, but we lost to the better team on the day. We weren’t expecting better than a share of the foursomes and hoped to share the singles, but Kent played better than us and we will hope to be back next year to get the title back.”
Kent got out of jail in the bottom foursomes through Dave Jessup and Roger Salmon who trailed throughout to Phil Slater and Bob Walker but won the 18th to grab that vital half. Although Phil Jones won the top single 4 and 3 over Chris Hurst, the latter sustaining a penalty stroke on the 15th when he admitted standing on his own ball, it was Kent all the way.
Andrew Stracey, Dave Jessup, Sam Smale and English Champion Chris Reynolds all won out in the country while Cheshire’s only other consolation was a 3 and 1 win for Stephen Baker over Howard Moxon.
The battle for third place couldn’t have been closer. Staffordshire edged the foursomes 2-1 but Dorset hit back in the singles and at one stage looked as if they might take the match comfortably.
Although Ben Rhodes struck the first blow for Staffordshire with a 4 and 2 win over John Smith, Dorset were determined to make their mark and Chris Dennis and Brian Medlam both won on the final green. That gave them south west champions momentum and David Lock’s 5nd 4 victory over John Loader put them on the brink of overall success.
Staffordshire drew level when Neil Copestick beat Rob Clapp on the 18th green which meant everything hinged on the final encounter in which David Backhouse generally held sway over Neil Portas, leading from the first.
Backhouse missed the final green when leading by one hole and could do no better than a bogey five while left-hander Portas took two from just off for a winning par than not only squared their game but ensured the match would finish level.
That meant third place would be decided on games won and even then the two counties couldn’t be separated, both finishing with 8½.

England field their European champions

plus Stewart King for senior homes

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
England will field their European Championship-winning team when they bid to regain the Seniors Home Internationals title at Westport, County Clare, Ireland from September 29 to Otober 1.
The six-strong squad of Douglas Arnold (Copthorne, Sussex), Andrew Carman (Coventry, Warwickshire), Geoff King (West Essex, Essex), Chris Reynolds (Littlestone, Kent), Philip Slater (Sandiway, Cheshire) and Andrew Stracey (Littlestone, Kent) who lifted the European title for the first time last month, will be joined in Ireland by Stewart King (West Lancs, Lancashire).
It was a real team effort in Ascona in Switzerland with all six players contributing to the victory achieved with a 3-2 scoreline over Sweden in the final. Arnold has played in every Seniors Home Internationals since its inception in 2002 and has three English Seniors Championships, the last in 2006. The Sussex man has also represented England in all four European Seniors Team Championships to date.
Carman, won his first seniors cap in the Europeans, having been a full England international in 1979 and ’80. He played in his maiden seniors event in this year’s English Seniors Championship at Moor Park, finishing third and has since won the Midland seniors title.
Geoff King, no relation to Stewart, was capped at senior level for the first time in last year’s Seniors Home Internationals. The Essex man finished third in the South East Seniors Qualifying and tied fourth in this year’s English Seniors Championship.
Stewart King, the secretary/manager at West Lancs, last played in the England seniors team in 2006 when he was capped for the Europeans and Seniors Home Internationals. This year, he has won the Welsh Seniors Open at Prestatyn. Reynolds secured the English Seniors title at Moor Park in June, having finished runner-up two years ago and third in 2008.
He was first capped by England in the 2006 Seniors Home Internationals and has played in the last three European Seniors Team Championships. Reynolds has also helped Kent win the Seniors County Finals in 2007, he finished runner-up in the British Seniors last year, won the South East Seniors title last year.
Slater has been a regular in the England side since securing his first seniors cap in last year’s European Team Championships in Ireland and he also played in the 2008 Seniors Home Internationals.
A former Cheshire Seniors champion, he has helped Cheshire win two English Seniors County Championships. Stracey, like Carman, is a newcomer to the seniors scene, having won his first event in this year’s Irish Open Seniors before finishing runner-up to Reynolds in the English Championship.
With the boys and men’s Home Internationals titles already in England’s grasp, the seniors will be hoping to complete the Grand Slam by taking the title off the Irish who won at Tenby last year.
This will be the eighth playing of the Seniors Home Internationals following their inception in 2002 and England have won the title three times, the last at Caldy in 2007.

Scottish Seniors Golf Society Scoreboard
Order of Merit Final Tournament
BLAIRGOWRIE LANSDOWNE
CSS 74
72 Bob Stewart (Tulliallan), George Rodaks (Moffat).
75 Dave Downie (Kirriemuir), David J Smith (Stirling), Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie), John Broadfoot (Turnberry).
76 George Paterson (Northern).
77 Keith Howie (West Kilbride), Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal), Tony Stafford (Dun Ochil), William Brown (Strathaven).
78 Alistair Fiddes (Deeside), Gordon MacDonald (Callander).
79 John Johnston (Lanark).
80 David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie), Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool), Keith Bruce (Edzell), Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead).
81 Andrew Laird (Deeside), Derek Murphy (Kinross).
82 Brian Christie (Wilton), Jim Watt (Edzell).
84 Bill Methven (Royal Aberdeen), Brian Smith (Kilmacolm), Henry Anderson (Glenbervie).
Disqualified - Ian Hutcheon, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess).

2009 FINAL ORDER OF MERIT PLACINGS
1 George Paterson (Northern) (events 9) 490pt.
2 Gordon MacDonald (Callander) (10) 445.
3 David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) ( 7) 437.50.
4 Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) (10) 410.
5 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 358.30.
6 Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) (7) 350.
7 Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth) (4) 325.
8 Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) (10) 317.50.
9 David Downie (Kirriemuir) (5) 308.75.
10 John Fraser (Royal Burgess) (5) 305.
11 Derek Murphy (Kinross) (10) 252.50.
11 George Rodaks (Moffat) (10) 252.50.
13 Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool) (4) 222.50.
14 Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) (7) 208.75.
15 Topny Stafforde (Dun Ochil) (6) 197.50.
16 Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) (6) 196.25.
17 Ronnie Maclean (Hamilton) (7) 189.10.
18 John Broadfoot (Turnberry) (10) 176.60
19 John Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) (8) 170.
20 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) (7) 163.30.

Alexander Neilson wins North seniors title over

his home course at Newtonmore

Newtonmore's Alexander Neilson is the new North District senior men's champion. The one-handicapper won the Macallan Trophy and the silver medal with a scratch round of 70 - which matched the CSS - over his home course.
In a tight finish Neilson won by one stroke from David Bunker (Nairn Dunbar) with Norman McWilliam (Kingussie) being the second local in the top three with a 73 to take third place.
Other leading scratch scores were:
74 Glen Ferrier (Newtonmore).
75 Ronnie Spence (Newtonmore).
76 Douglas Johnson (Newtonmore), James Ingram (Boat of Garten).
77 David Sharp (Boat of Garten).
78 Patrick Tomisson (Nairn), Alexander Findlay (Torvean), Denis Albutt (Royal Dornoch), James Taylor (Alness).
Leading prizewinners (CSS 70)
Scratch
Alexander Neilson (Newtonmore) 70; David Bunker (Nairn Dunbar) 71; Norman McWilliam (73).
Category A (55 to 59)
Scratch - Rennie Spence (Newtonmore) 75. Handicap - Douglas Johnson (Newtonmore) (4) 72; James MacDuff (Newtonmore) (10) 77; Albert Duffus (Fortrose) (9) 82.
Category B (60 to 64)
Scratch - Glen Ferrier (Newtonmore) 74. Handicap - John Whyte (Newtonmore) (15) 70; James Ingram (Boat of Garten) (5), Fenton Ogley (Invergordon) (16) 71.
Category C (65 to 69)
Scratch - James Taylor (Alness) 78. Handicap - Denis Albutt (Royal Dornoch) (8) 70; Roy Alexander (Newtonmore) (15) 71; Ian Milliken (Invergordon) (15) 72.
Category D (70+)
Scratch - Roly Black (Royal Dornoch) 80. Handicap - Ally Innes (Kingussie) (16) 70; Robin Cattanach (Newtonmore ) (12) 72; Colin Munro (Newtonmore (11) 73.

George Paterson (Northern) holds aloft the Scottish senior men's amateur match-play championship trophy after his victory in the final against David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) at Newmachar Golf Club today (Images by Cal Carson Golf Agency: click on them to enlarge).

David Miller has the honour on the 10th tee in the final .... George Paterson follows him.

Officials, players and representatives of sponsors Abbeyfield Scotland (Elizabeth Miller centre and Brian Highley second right) after the prizegiving.

By George! Paterson achieves career golf highlight

(so far) by winning Scottish senior match-play

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
George Paterson thought he had achieved a career golf highlight when he won the Aberdeen Links championship - for all ages - earlier this summer.

But George topped that today at Newmachar Golf Club by adding the Scottish senior amateur match-play championship to his trophy collection.
The 57-year-old Northern Golf Club member was 19th of the 32 qualifiers from the 36-hole stroke-play eliminator at the start of the week but came into his own as a match-player after that.

George, a regular on the North-east Alliance winter circuit, climaxed three days of the cut-and-thrust play at which he excels by beating David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie), the No 4 seed, by 3 and 2 in the final over the Hawkshill course.
“It’s been a great season for me,” said George. “I’ve won the Aberdeen Links championship, gained my first Scotland senior cap – and now my first national golf title. Becoming old enough to play competitive senior golf has opened a new, and most successful, chapter in my golfing life."
Barassie-based Ayr United football fan Miller, 55, looked to be the favourite to take the championship in his rookie season as a senior when he wiped out Paterson’s two-hole lead, gained with successes at the third and fifth, by winning the seventh, eighth and 11th where his opponent three-putted
But Patterson, who had holed a 15ft putt to halve the short ninth in par after taking two shots to get on the putting surface, responded to the pressure with another crucial putt. This one was from 12ft and dropped for a birdie to level matters again.

At that stage a sportingly well-fought final had all the makings of going the distance, maybe even into extra holes because there seemed little between the adversaries. But suddenly it was all over, only four holes later.
Paterson won the 13th, 15th and 16th with par figures to win by 3 and 2.

"I just couldn't buy a putt out there," said Miller. "I probably peaked on Thursday when I was several under par in winning my second round and quarter-final ties. In this morning's semi-final against Stephen Ellis - played in horrible weather of wind and rain - I won by 4 and 3 but I felt my rhythm was going and I never got it back in the final. I felt I played well to get to the final but didn't play nearly so well once I got there.

"And that's not to take anything away from George Paterson's performance. He holed some good putts, I didn't."

"Only" 55, David Miller looks certain to make his mark on the seniors' circuit over the next two or three years during which he has an age advantage.

George Paterson has another honour to look forward before the end of the season. He is in the Scotland team for the seniors' home internationals at Westport in Ireland from September 29 to October 1.
The Scottish senior men's amateur match-play championship, being played for only the second time, was sponsored by Abbeyfield Scotland, a charity for the elderly, providing housing support for the elderly. They were represented on the final day at Newmachar by Brian Highley and Elizabeth Miller.
Next year's championship will be staged at Kinross.

Friday's results:

Semi-finals
David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) 4 and 3.
George Paterson (Northern) bt Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 3 and 1.
Final (18 holes)
Paterson bt Miller 3 and 2.

US Seniors Tour report

Brad Bryant equals tournament record

with 10-under-par 62 at Crosswater

Brad Bryant equalled the tournament low record mark with a 10-under 62 in the first round of the JELD-WEN Tradition at Crosswater Golf Club.
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Related Links
Leaderboard: Scores
See Bryant's 62
Power Rankings
Round 1 notebook
Video: Jacobsen birdies 15th
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Bryant had 11 birdies and one bogey for a three-shot lead in the fourth of five majors this year on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour.
Bryant's best finish this year was fourth at the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in June. He has four overall Tour victories, his last at the Senior U.S. Open in 2007.
Loren Roberts shot a 65, while Tom Watson and Tom Lehman each had 67s as temperatures hovered in the upper 90s on the scenic 7,533yd course in the shadow of Mount Bachelor.
Defending champion Fred Funk was in a group at 4-under.
Tour money leader Bernhard Langer shot a 71.
Even Bryant was stunned by his low round, which matched Watson's low second round in 2003 when the tournament was played in Aloha, Oregon, west of Portland.
Bryant's personal best round was 63.
"Just played really great," he said. "Definitely one of my top five ball-striking rounds in my life."
Bryant has one win on the US PGA Tour, at the Walt Disney World-Oldsmobile Classic in 1995.
"Ten under?" Roberts mused. "I just can't believe how good that is."
Roberts, who has won twice on the Tour this year, had five birdies and an eagle on the par-4, 410-yard 10th hole. Roberts won the Tradition in 2005.
Watson, who won the Tradition in 2003, fell to Stewart Cink in a dramatic play-off at the Open a month ago.
"It was a pretty benign day," Watson said. "Not a lot of wind to deal with. The flags were accessible."
However, the altitude and heat did play a role when it came to distance: "That ball can get out there, it can go," he said.
Greg Norman withdrew shortly before the first round because of back spasms. It would have been the Shark's first appearance in the event, and sixth start on the Tour this year.
Funk was coming off a victory at the U.S. Senior Open, where he became the first player in a U.S. Golf Association championship to finish at 20-under par. A week earlier, he lost in a three-way playoff at the Senior British Open.
He has finished in the top 10 in the previous three Champions Tour majors this season and leads the Charles Schwab Cup points standings.
"That's my goal this year, to win the Charles Schwab Cup. I really want it," Funk said.
Funk shot a final-round 3-under 69 in the Tradition last year for a three-shot victory over Mike Goodes and his first win in a major on the Tour.
This year, his first round featured four birdies.

Wednesday deadline for Scottish seniors' championship entries

The Scottish Seniors Golf Society is accepting entries up to next Wednesday (July 22) for its championship.
Newmachar Golf Club, near Aberdeen is the venue and the championship consists of qualifying rounds on August 24 and 25 with the match-play rounds on August 26-27-28.
See the SSGS website for more details and how to enter:

http://www.scottishseniorsgolf.com/

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND SENIOR OPEN

Local hero Ian Brotherston wins by

four strokes at Dumfries & County

Local hero Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County) won the South of Scotland Seniors Open golf tournament over his home course by four strokes today.
Brotherston had rounds of 66 and 70 for two-under-par total of 136.
Runner-up was Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool with 68 and 72 for 140. Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) claimed third place with 69 and 72 for 141.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 138 (2x69). CSS 69 69.
136 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 66 70.
140 Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool) 68 72.
141 Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 69 72.
142 Maitland Pollock (Lochmaben) 72 70, Alistair Harkness (Southerness) 71 71, John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 71 71, John A Fraser (Royal Burgess) 71 71, Anthony Clark (Dumfries & Co) 70 72.
143 Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross) 72 71, David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie0 71 72, David Gardner (Broomieknowe) 70 73.
144 Peter Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 76 68, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 71 73, James Kinloch (Cardross) 67 77.
145 John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 78 67, Ronald MacLean (Hamilton) 74 71, Stephen Ellis (Heritage) 72 73, Keith McAllister (South Shields) 72 73, Michael Currie (The Glen) 70 75, David Fulton (Castle Douglas) 69 76.
146 John Johnston (Wishaw) 76 70, Lindsay Blair (Grangemouth) 74 72, Gordon Thomson (Bearsden) 74 72, Norman Cameron (Porters Park) 73 73, John Roberts (Lancaster) 72 74, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 72 74, Bob Humble (Kilspindie) 71 75, Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 70 76.

+Apologies to our senior readers from the Editor for not displaying these scores on Friday night. I can only put it down to a "senior moment" of my own - Colin Farquharson

MONIFIETH MAESTRO HUTCHEON

GIVES THEM ALL A START -

AND WINS BY TWO AT HOME

It takes a good man to beat the ‘Monifieth Maestro’ on his home patch – and nobody got within two shots of Ian Hutcheon by the end of the East of Scotland Seniors Open over 36 holes of the Monifieth Links.
Hutcheon, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, gave the others a chance with a mediocre opening round – by his standards – of five over par 76 but he came storming up through the field with a second round of three-under 68 for a total of 144.
Tony McIntyre (Lundin) was runner-up with 75 and 71 for 146.
David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) and David Smith ( Stirling ) shared third place on 147.
The CSS was 75 for the first round and 73 for the second.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 142 (2x71) CSS 75 73.
144 Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth) 76 68.
146 Tony McIntyre (Lundin) 75 71.
147 David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) 74 73, David Smith ( Stirling ) 72 74.
148 Jim Watt (Letham Grange) 74 74, George Paterson (Northern) 74 74.
150 Alex Richie (Bothwell Castle0 78 72, Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) 78 72, Robert Thomson ( St Andrews 75 75, Richard T Gray (Cowglen) 73 77.
151 Henry Anderson (Glenbervie) 77 74.
152 Ian Jeen (Milngavie) 78 74.
153 Aiden Grounds ( Falkirk ) 81 72, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 77 76, Sandy Fairweather (Carnoustie Caledonia) 76 77.
154 John Fraser (Royal Burgess) 81 73, Peter Jamieson (Cathkin Braes) 77 77, David Downie (Kirriemuir) 76 78.
155 William Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) 80 75, Derek Murphy (Kinross) 79 76, Dougal Chalmers (Panmure) 79 76, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 79 76, Colin Moir (Worksop) 78 77.
156 Ian Stewart (Curragh) 79 77, George Rodaks (Moffat) 79 77, Jalil Aman (Grangemouth) 77 79, Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 76 80.
157 Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) 83 74, Marshall Douglas (Thornhill) 80 77, George Blair (Haddington) 79 78, John Johnston (Lanark) 79 78, Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 79 78,
Andrew Laird (Deeside) 78 79, David Imrie (Thornton) 78 79.
158 Derek Sim (Panmure) 79 79, Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 79 79, Ian Gourlay (Strathaven) 78 80.
159 Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) 83 76, Jim Kinloch (Cardross) 79 80.
160 Scott Brady (Burntisland) 82 78, Tony Stafford (Gleneagles Dunochil) 82 78, Fred Hutcheon (Monifieth) 81 79, John McDonald (Cowglen) 81 79, Bill Methven (Royal Aberdeen) 80 80, John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 76 84.
161 Drew Wilson (Clober) 85 76, Ron McDonald (Monifieth) 83 78, David A Millar (St Andrews New) 78 82.
162 Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) 86 76, John Russell (Monarch Dunes) 86 76, John Sim (Duff House Royal) 85 77.
163 Richard Goodale (Aberdour) 82 81, Wilson Morton (Dunbar) 80 83, Jim Campbell (Panmure) 78 85.
164 David Leighton (Northern) 82 82, Graham Somers (Bon Accord) 82 82, Jim Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) 78 86.
165 Gordon Thomson (Bearsden) 88 77, Tom Carson (Lockerbie) 85 80, Michael Niven (Alloa) 82 83.
166 Denis Albutt (Royal Dornoch) 87 79, Jim Roy (Grange) 85 81, Lee Bushby (Strathmore) 84 82, Trevor Bennett (Great Barr) 84 82, James Ingram (Boat of Garten) 84 82, Tim Harnett (St Andrews) 82 84, Bert Nicholson (Royal Dornoch) 82 84, Gordon Gray (Newmachar) 81 85.
167 John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 86 81, David Nelson (Aboyne) 83 84, Denis McQuade (Glenbervie) 83 84,
168 Peter Kinloch (Cardross) 87 81, David Gardner (Broomieknowe) 82 86.
169 Alan Nelson (Banchory) 86 83.
170 Charles D Stewart (Moray) 90 80, Steve Hills (Monifieth) 87 83, Brian Highley (Buchanan Castle) 87 83, Richard L Gray (Lanark) 86 84, Fraser Sharp (Boat of Garten) 86 84, Ian Peddie (Tulliallan) 84 86.
171 Ronnie Grant (Caledonian) 88 83, Malcolm Sim (Grange) 87 84, Brian Inglis (Archerfield Links) 86 85, Sandy Quinn (Stirling) 85 86, Lindsay Edmond (Haddington) 85 86.
172 Norman Williamson (Banchory) 87 85, Peter Stickley (Safety Beach) 87 85.
173 Neish Chisholm (Kemnay) 87 86.
174 George Cant (Monifieth) 85 89.
175 Phil Mawhood (Tulliallan) 86 89.
176 James Scott (Peterculter) 89 87, Angus Martin (Southerness) 88 88.
178 Michael Mather (Ballater) 94 84, Neil MacDonald (Glenbervie) 87 91.
179 Tom Gray (Lanark) 94 85.
180 Peter Higgins (St Andrews New) 92 88.
181 Nigel Parker (Murcar Links) 94 87, Alec Ingram (St Andrews New) 92 89, Johnston Mackie (Glenearn) 90 91, Philip Costello (Hirsel) 82 99.
182 Dougie Adams (Dunbar) 93 89.
184 John Harrison (Newmachar) 90 94.
185 Ian Donaldson (Killin) 92 93.
NR Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen) NR 91.
WD Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 79 WD.


WD Gordon Doig (Southerness) 80 WD.


RET Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) retired injured.

Ian Taylor wins Central Seniors

Open by two at Stirling

Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) won last week's Central Seniors Open tournament at Stirling Club by two shots from Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) and Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie).
Taylor led the way with rounds of 72 and 68 for 140 against a CSS of 72 for both rounds.
Smith scored 72 and 70, Lindsay a pair of 71s.
Taylor, a two-handicapper, also had the lowest net aggregate of 136 (70-66), two shots ahead Smith, who also plays off two, with net scores of 70 and 68 for 138.

CENTRAL SENIORS OPEN TOURNAMENT
Stirling Golf Club
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
CSS 72 72
140 Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 72 68.
142 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 72 70, Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) 71 71.
144 David J Miller (Barassie) 75 69.
145 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 70 75.
146 Godon MacDonald (Callander) 73 73.
147 Ronnie Maclean (Hamilton) 72 75, Keith Bruce (Edzell) 72 75.
148 Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) 73 75.
149 Ian Jean (Milngavie) 75 74, Derekj Murphy (Kinross) 74 75.
150 William Brown (Strthaven) 78 72, David Gardner (Broomieknowe) 77 73, Jim Watt (Edzell) 76 75, Graeme Millar (Swanston New) 75 75.
151 Alan MacNaught (Colchester) 78 73, Gordon Brown (Vale of Leven) 74 77, Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 74 77, Alex Ritchie (Bothwell Castle) 74 77, Bob Edgar (Blackpool North Shore) 73 78, Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline) 73 78.
152 Alan Ferguson (Drumpellier) 77 75, Denis McQuade (Glenbervie) 76 76, John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 76 76.
153 Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) 79 74, Jalil Aman (Grangemouth) 78 75, John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 78 75, Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) 78 75, David Smith (Stirling) 77 76, John McDonald (Cowglen) 77 76, Jim McArthur (St Andrews New) 77 76, George Rodaks (Moffat) 76 77, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 75 78, Henry Anderson (Glenbervie) 75 78.
154 Richard Gray (Cowglen) 78 76, Colin Milne (Pitlochry) 77 77, Aiden Grounds (Falkirk Tryst) 76 78, Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 76 78, Colin Halcrow (Windyhill) 76 78, David Imrie (Thornton) 75 79, Michael Currie (The Glen) 75 79.
155 Patrick Tomisson Nairn) 78 77, Sandy Pirie Hazlehead) 77 78, Scott Brady (Burntisland) 76 79.

Ryder Cup Scots stalwarts in field for

new Aberdeen Brunei Senio Masters

Ryder Cup-winning captains Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance and two time Major winner Sandy Lyle will ensure the new European Senior Tour season gets off to a flying start when they tee up in the inaugural Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum from February 27-March 1.
The Scottish trio will headline an impressive field at The Empire Hotel & Country Club in Brunei as the Senior Tour breaks new ground when it reaches its most easterly venue.
Torrance, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory against the United States in 2002 at The Belfry, will be hoping to build on an impressive end to the 2008 season as he targets reclaiming the Number One spot and succeeding another Ryder Cup winning Captain, Ian Woosnam, as winner of the John Jacobs Trophy, which is awarded to the leading Senior Tour player.
After struggling with a hand injury for the past two seasons, 55 year old Torrance showed glimpses of the form that saw him win the Order of Merit in 2005 and 2006 when he finished runner up in the Scottish Seniors Open before capturing his tenth Senior Tour title in the OKI Castellón Open España – Senior Tour Championship.
Compatriot Lyle will be hoping to kick-start his own Senior Tour career with a maiden victory in Brunei, with his best finish so far coming in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open where he led after the first round before finishing tied 11th.
The 1985 Open and 1988 Masters Champion, who won 18 European Tour titles in total, will be hoping for a belated present after celebrating his 51st birthday on February 9.
Coincidentally Lyle shares the same birthday as Gallacher, who will be 60 years old when he tees up in Brunei for his first Senior Tour appearance since the Scottish Seniors Open in 2006.
Gallacher, who has one Senior Tour victory and 13 European Tour titles, competed in eight Ryder Cup Matches before captaining the European Team in 1991, 1993 and 1995.
The presence of such an illustrious Scottish trio in the field reflects their support for sponsors Aberdeen Asset Management, the Scottish global investment management group which also sponsors The 2010 Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie.
Aberdeen Asset Management renews its association with the Senior Tour having previously sponsored The Senior Open Championship between 2005 and 2007.
Gallacher, Lyle and Torrance are joined in the field by former Ryder Cup players, England’s Gordon J Brand, who was runner up to Woosnam in the 2008 Order of Merit, and Italian Costantino Rocca.
Another player targeting a strong opening to the new campaign in Brunei is Englishman Carl Mason, the all-time leading money winner on the Senior Tour, who this season is looking to become the first player to break through the €2million barrier.
Mason, who has won three Order of Merit crowns in five years on the Senior Tour, will be hoping for a return to form after dropping to seventh last season.
Meanwhile Australian Mike Harwood, a five time winner on The European Tour, will make his Senior Tour debut in the Brunei tournament, which is one of four events being promoted on the 2009 European Senior Tour by long-term partners WSM Sponsorship.
The Jack Nicklaus designed course at The Empire Hotel & Country Club is built upon a stunning cliff top location and has hosted the Asian Tour’s Brunei Open since 2006.
The beginning of the tournament week will coincide with Brunei’s National Day which falls on Monday, February 23.

Webster, Martin under pressure at Seniors

Tour Q School Stage 1

Edzell Golf Club professional Alastair Webster and Downfield's Steve Martin have some leeway to make up on Friday if they are to survive Stage 1 of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School on the Algarve.
Webster, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who will be 50 on March 19, had a disappointing round of seven-over-par 79 to be lying joint 40th in a field of 72 over the Pinheiros Altos course.
Martin, trying to get back on the over-50s circuit, is lightly better placed after a four-over 76 to be joint 29th at the halfway stage at the Quinta de Cima course.
Of the combined starting field of 141 at both venues, only the leading 55 will go forward at the end of 36 holes to the Final Q School, also on the Algarve, at Pestana, from November 17 to 20.
John Grant, playing out of the Ystad club, Sweden, was the best placed Scot with a 72 to be in joint fifth position, three shots off the pace, at Pinheiros Altos.
Also at this venue, Duncan Williamson (Kirkhill) had a 73 to be joint 10th, Blairgowrie amateur Eric Lindsay a creditable 74 to be tied 17th and Graeme Millar, a Swanston New amateur, had an 80.
The only other Scot in action apart from Martin at Quinta de Cima was Bill McColl (The London Club) who was in joint 13th place with a 73 as he tries to regan European Senior Tour status.

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL - Stage 1 (36 holes)
PINHEIROS ALTOS (Par 72, 6743yd)
Leading first round scores
69 Stephen East (Eng) (am).
70 Greg Towne (US).
71 Peter Dahlberg (Swe), Harry Ferguson (Can).
72 Richard Fish (Eng), Jose Luis Gallardo (Spa), John Grant (Sco), Graham Gunn (Can), John Mills (Eng) (am).
Other scores:
73 Duncan Williamson (Sco) (jt 10th).
74 Eric J Lindsay (Sco) (am) (jt 17th).
79 Alastair Webster (Sco) (jt 40th).
80 Graeme Millar (Sco) (am) (jt 44th).

QUINTA DE CIMA (Par 72, 6729yd)
69 Per-Arne Brostedt (Swe), Nigel Willett (Eng).
70 Glyn Krause (Eng), George Ryall (Eng), Mike Williams (Zim).
71 Jose Dias (Por), T R Jones (US), Brad Rollinson (US).
Other scores:
73 Bill McColl (Sco) (jt 13th).
76 Steve Martin (Sco) (jt 29th).

Winless Scots could still take
Seniors' title at Tenby

Going into Thursday's final day of the senior men's home internationals at Tenby, Wales, Scotland's over-55s have still to win a match - but it is still mathematically possible that they could finish up as champions if they beat Wales by a big margin in their last match.
How could this be so? Well, it's a very tight contest this year between England, Scotland and Ireland. Only Wales are out of it. They lost 7-2 to Ireland today while the Scots were following up their 4 1/2-4 1/2 first day draw with Ireland by repeating the scoreline against England.
On Thursday England and Ireland, who both have won once and drawn once meet each other while Scotland, with two draws, play Wales, who have two defeats.
If either England or Ireland win their match, then they will win the title with 2 1/2pt out of 3.
But should they draw, then both would have 2pt, opening the way for Scotland, if they run up a big margin of victory over Wales, the chance of matching their 2pt totals and then beating them in a games-won countback.
The games-won tally at the moment reads:
Ireland 11.5, England 9.5, Scotland 9.
Scotland did very well indeed to draw with England today, considering that their first three men in the "batting order" of the singles all lost.
Gordon MacDonald went down 4 and 3 to Alan Squires.
Ian Hutcheon lost 3 and 1 to Doug Arnold.
And Scottish seniors champion Bob Stewart lost by 5 and 4 to former professional Geoffrey King.
But all was not lost. Scotland's tail wagged furiously to save the day.
Rob McLellan beat former world speedway champion Jessup by 1 hole.
Then, in another nail-biting finish, Derek Murphy from Kinross won on the 18th green against Slater.
Former shinty ace John Fraser wielded his golfing camans to good effect to notch a 4 and 3 win over Gordon Broster. So the singles were salvaged 3-3 after a 1 1/2-1 1/2 division of the morning foursomes honours.
Day 2 details:
ENGLAND 4.5, SCOTLAND 4.5
Foursomes (1.5-1.5)
G King & C Reynolds halved with R McLellan & D Murphy.
D Arnold & A Squires lost to I C Hutcheon & J A Fraser.
G Broster & D Jessup bt G MacDonald & A K Pirie.
Singles (3-3)
Squires bt MacDonald 4 and 3.
Arnold bt Hutcheon 3 and 1.
King bt R Stewart 5 and 4.
Jessup lost to McLellan 1 hole.
P Slater lost to Murphy 1 hole.
Broster lost to Fraser 4 and 3.

IRELAND 7, WALES 2
Foursomes (2-1)
A Morrow & M Kelly bt J Jermine & P Jones 3 and 1.
L McNamara & N Duke bt S Hopkins & K Simpson 3 and 1.
H Smyth & J Carroll lost to M Rooke & J Whitcutt 1 hole.
Singles (5-1)
M Coote bt Jermine 2 and 1.
Morrowq lost to G Rees 1 hole.
Kelly bt Jones 3 and 1.
Carroll bt Whitcutt 4 and 3.
McNamara bt Hopkins 1 hole.
Smyth bt M Rooke 3 and 1.

Englishman wins Scottish Seniors Open

Torrance loses lead to Mitchell
on inward half at Dalmahoy

By COLIN CALLANDER
England’s Peter Mitchell withstood a strong challenge from Sam Torrance to win his second European Seniors Tour title of the season at the Scottish Seniors Open over the East course of the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh.
Mitchell, who won his maiden Seniors Tour title at the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open earlier this summer, started the day two shots in front of Torrance but found himself one behind the former Ryder Cup captain at the turn before carding three birdies over the next four holes to regain a lead he was never to relinquish.
In the end, a three-time European Tour winner from Kent, who carded 12 birdies over his closing 36 holes, posted a nine-under-par 54-hole aggregate of 207, two shots ahead of Torrance and three in front of first-round leader Des Smyth who slipped to a closing 71.
The win was Mitchell’s second in his first eight starts on the over-50s pro circuit and the €42,931 (£33,750) first place cheque took his earnings to the season to €185,082 (£145,500).
It also moved him up from seventh to fifth on the Order of Merit behind Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Gordon J. Brand and Juan Quiros.
“It was tough out there today,” said Mitchell. “I started pretty scrappily and then, when Sam got in front, I really had to battle to get back at him.
“The last seven holes were pretty hard work,” he added. “But I hung in there and am delighted to win again. The great thing for me is that I putted a lot better today and that’s probably the key to the win.”
Torrance arrived at Dalmahoy not having won since the Bendinat London Seniors Masters last June but equalled Mitchell’s closing 69 to produce his best performance of the season to date.
“I’m disappointed, of course I am,” he said, before departing for St Andrews where he is scheduled to play alongside son, Daniel, in this week’s Dunhill Links Championship.
“But the good news is that I played better so I’m looking forward to showing the youngsters on the regular Tour a thing or two.”
Earlier in the day, England’s Tommy Horton brought his illustrious European Seniors Tour to an impressive close when he carded a one under par 71 to finish the championship in a share of 19th place on three over par 219.
Horton, now 67, has won a record 23 titles and well over €1.5 million (£1 million) since turning 50 back in 1991 but has decided to call it a day while he remains competitive.
“It has been a tough decision but I’m sure it’s the correct one,” said the former Ryder Cup player from Jersey who has claimed 107 top-ten finishes in 240 starts on the Seniors Tour and won the Tour’s Order of Merit title on a record five occasions.
“I started to think about it a couple of years ago when I had a bout of ill-health and now it feels as if the time is about right.
“I still plan to play my home event in Jersey but for the rest of the time I’ll sit back and watch the younger guys battling it out.
“It’s been great fun,” he added. “I’m just grateful to have got a second bite of the cherry (after his European Tour career)."
Carl Mason, the Seniors Tour Order of Merit winner in 2003, ’04 and ’07, led the tributes to Horton.
“I think it would be fair to say that we will all miss Tommy,” said the Englishman whose 20 victories put him second behind Horton in the tally of all-time Seniors Tour wins. “He’s been a fantastic player and a great supporter of this Tour.
“It’s going to be strange to be out here without him.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Tour, also paid tribute to Horton for what he has done for the Tour. “Tommy is our most prolific winner, but on another level, he has also made a huge contribution behind the scenes, both as one of the Tour’s pioneers and as a former Chairman of the Players’ Committee.
“It would be no exaggeration to say that he has played a vital role in our development over the years.”
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
207 P Mitchell (Eng) 71 67 69.
209 S Torrance (Sco) 71 69 69.
210 D Smyth (Irl) 68 71 71.
212 E Darcy (Irl) 72 71 69.
213 J Bruner (US) 70 70 73, S Owen (NZ) 71 72 70.
214 A Murray (Eng) 73 70 71.
215 R Drummond (Sco) 74 69 72, D O'Sullivan (Ire) 74 70 71.
216 D Hospital (Esp) 69 71 76; C Rocca (Ita) 70 73 73; B Longmuir (Sco) 70 73 73;
217 E Rodriguez (Esp) 75 70 72; A Fernandez (Chi) 70 78 69; M Briggs (Eng) 75 70 72;
218 C Mason (Eng) 71 77 70; J Hoskison (Eng) 73 72 73; P Oakley (US) 75 73 70;
219 G Brand jun (Sco) 74 72 73; T Horton (Eng) 75 73 71; D Merriman (Aus) 75 70 74; T Johnstone (Zim) 74 73 72;
220 B Heuchan (Can) 73 73 74; B Larratt (Eng) 73 75 72; T Allen (Eng) 74 71 75; K Spurgeon (Eng) 71 76 73; N Job (Eng) 74 72 74;
221 J Hall (Eng) 75 75 71; G Watine (Fra) 75 72 74; D Cambridge (Jam) 73 74 74; B Lincoln (RSA) 75 72 74; L Carbonetti (Arg) 78 70 73;
222 J Rivero (Esp) 74 73 75; B Cameron (Eng) 74 75 73; D Durnian (Eng) 75 70 77; J Rhodes (Eng) 75 74 73; J Sallat (Fra) 81 70 71; B Boyd (USA) 70 74 78; P Harrison (Eng) 72 74 76; E Polland (Nir) 72 72 78;
223 G Encina (Chi) 76 74 73; N Ratcliffe (Aus) 72 76 75;
224 P Dugeny (Fra) 75 75 74; J Lapsley (Nzl) 71 79 74;
225 I Mosey (Eng) 76 72 77; J Quiros (Esp) 73 76 76;
226 B McColl (Sco) 73 79 74; D Good (Aus) 77 76 73; G Brand (Eng) 74 77 75; T Price (Wal) 72 81 73; J Chillas (Sco) 79 73 74; D Russell (Eng) 76 74 76; M Poxon (Eng) 76 77 73;
227 T Rastall (Eng) 79 74 74;
228 M Gray (Sco) 75 75 78; V Garcia (Esp) 78 77 73; M Piñero (Esp) 79 75 74;
229 J Benda (USA) 75 75 79; G Cali (Ita) 73 79 77; H Carbonetti (Arg) 81 75 73;
230 M Bembridge (Eng) 73 78 79; A Sowa (Arg) 74 77 79;
231 S Martin (Sco) 77 77 77;
232 B Lockie (Sco) 81 75 76;
233 B Hardwick (Can) 80 78 75;
234 J Heggarty (Nir) 78 78 78; M Miller (Sco) 79 76 79;
235 T Charnley (Eng) 74 79 82; J Cañizares (Esp) 82 76 77;
239 A Garrido (Esp) 77 79 83;
240 R Carrasco (USA) 79 85 76;
Withdrew: B Stewart (Tulliallan) (am) 75 88 -, L Higgins (Ire) 80 79 -.
Retired: B Marchbank (Sco) 72 - -.

Scottish Seniors Golfing Society
Order of Merit Shoot-out

Blairgowrie Golf Club
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Order of play:

11.25
John Broadfoot
Turnberry
John McDonald
Cowglen
11.31
Alan Elder
Kirkcaldy
Jim Paton
Kirkintilloch
Keith Howie
West Kilbride
11.37
Peter Lamb
Biggar
David Bunker
Nairn Dunbar
David Smith
Stirling
11.43
David Millar
New Club, St Andrews
George Blair
Haddington
Brian Smith
Hamilton
11.49
Harry Milligan
Hamilton
Brian Grieve
King James VI
Jim Kinloch
Cardross
11.55
Ian Taylor
Royal Burgess
William Erskine
Kilsyth Lennox
John Johnston
Royal Aberdeen
12.01
Sandy Pirie
Hazlehead
Henry Anderson
Glenbervie
George Paterson
Northern
12.07
Colin Christy
Kilmacolm
Ian Brotherston
Dumfries & County
Iain Stewart
Curragh
12.13
Ronald MacLean
Hamilton
Ian Hutcheon
Monifieth
Ronald McLellan
Turnberry
12.19
Derek Murphy
Kinross
Gordon Macdonald
Callander
Bob Stewart
Tulliallan

BUCKS FIZZ FROM ADRIAN AT DUMFRIES

Adrian Donkersley made the long journey from Buckinghamshire a worthwhile one when he led the field with a one-under-par 68 at the end of the first day of the South of Scotland seniors open amateur stroke-play championship at Dumfries & County Golf Club today.
Gerrards Cross member Donkersley led by one shot from Kenneth Russell (Wigtown & Bladnoch) and Haddington's George Blair.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 69
68 A Donkersley (Gerrards Cross).
69 K Russell (Wigtown & Bladnoch), G Blair (Haddington).
70 W Wallace (Strathaven), I Jeen (Milngavie), I Brotherston (Dumfries & Co), J Bunting (Ballochmyle), G K MacDonald (Callander).
71 B Stewart (Tulliallan). H Milligan (Hamilton), R McLellan (Turnberry), W Erksine (Kilsyth Lennox), S Ellis (The Heritage), N Cameron (Porters Park), B Humble (Kilspindie).

THE SCOTTISH SENIORS GOLFING SOCIETY

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND SENIORS OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

at DUMFRIES & COUNTY GOLF CLUB
Thursday and Friday, July 10 and 11.

TEE TIMES
9.00
MARSHALL DOUGLAS (Thornhill)
JOHN FRASER (Royal Burgess)
GORDON DOIG (Southerness)
9.10
PETER SAGGERS (Nairn).
JOHN SIM (Duff House Royal).
GORDON THOMSON (Bearsden).
9.20
GEORGE PATERSON (Northern).
DONALD MCCART (Sherwood Forest).
IAIN STEWART (The Curragh).
9.30
IAN BROTHERSTON (Dumfries & County).
BOB STEWART (Tulliallan).
SANDY PIRIE (Hazlehead).
9.40
DEREK MURPHY (Kinross).
TIM SEATON (Huddersfield).
TONY STAFFORD (Troon St Meddans).
9.50
PATRICK TOMISSON (Nairn).
RONALD MACLEAN (Hamilton).
DAVID BUNKER (Nairn Dunbar).
10.00
GEORGE RODAKS (Moffat).
JAMES KINLOCH (Cardross).
JOHN BROADFOOT (Turnberry).
10.10
PETER KINLOCH (Cardross).
RAY BARTON (Alloa).
MICHAEL BROOK (Queen's Park).
10.20
MAHENDRA PATEL (Alloa).
DAVID CAMBRIDGE (Kirkintilloch).
DAVID NELSON (Aboyne).
10.30
JIM PATON (Kirkintilloch).
ALAN NELSON (Banchory).
RONALD NELSON (Powfoot).
10.40
PHILIP COSTELLO (Hirsel).
FRASER SHARP (Boat of Garten).
MICHAEL NIVEN (Dunfermline).
10.50
MARK LIRONI (Cathkin Braes).
SANDY QUINN (Stirling).
ALISTAIR RISK (Brora).
11.00
NORMAN WILLIAMSON (Banchory).
ALLAN ELDER (Kirkcaldy).
A WILLIAM WALLACE (Strathaven).
11.10
JIM BUNTING (Ballochmyle).
TOM GRAY (Lanark).
RUSSELL CAMPBELL (Stirling).
11.20
JOHN JOHNSTON (Wishaw).
JOHN RUSSELL (Monarch Dunes).
BOB HUMBLE (Kilspindie).
11.30
BRIAN HALBERT (Callander).
KEITH HOWIE (West Kilbride).
MICHAEL CURRIE (The Glen).
11.40
BRIAN GRIEVE (King James VI).
BOB EDGAR (Blackpool).
ALAN FERGUSON (Drumpellier).
11.50
ALLAN CAMERON (Gourock).
NORMAN CAMERON (Porters Park).
ADRIAN DONKERSLEY (Gerrards Cross).
12.00
STEPHEN ELLIS (The Heritage Golf Society).
GORDON MACDONALD (Callander).
BRIAN SMITH (Hamilton).
12.10
DAVID MILLER (Kilmarnock).
WILLIAM ERSKINE (Kilsyth Lennox).
KENNETH RUSSELL (Wigtown & Bladnoch).
12.20
MICHAEL MATHER (Ballater).
CLIVE BOURNE (Thornhill).
DAVID CAUSON (Elderslie).
12.30
ANTHONY CLARK (Dumfries & County).
IAN DICKSON (Lundin).
COLIN MOIR (Worksop).
12.40
CAMPBELL CHRISTIE (Royal Aberdeen).
ROGER REES (Eden).
LINDSAY EDMOND (Haddington).
12.50
ALISTAIR FIDDES (Deeside).
RON MCLELLAN (Turnberry).
GLYN REES (Fleetwood).
1.00
PETER LAMB (Biggar).
HARRY MILLIGAN (Hamilton).
DOUGLAS MCKINNON (Ballochmyle).
1.20
LES FOWLER (Royal Aberdeen).
JOHN MCDONALD (Cowglen).
1.30
GEORGE BLAIR (Haddington).
JOHN THOMSON (Kirkcudbright).
2.00
DENIS MCQUADE (Glenbervie).
TOM NICOL (Elderslie).

TIE FOR STIRLING SENIORS GOLF PRIZE

BLAIR AND BROTHERSTON TIE

FOR STIRLING SENIOR PRIZE

Haddington's George Blair and Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County) tied for victory in the Central Scotland Seniors Open over 36 holes at Stirling Golf Club.

Blair scored 75 and 70, while Brotherston's rounds were 67 and 78.

Under the rules of the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society, there are no play-offs as tie-breakers, so George and Ian received equal prizes.

George is 51 and Ian 52 – the senior men's minimum age for competitive golf is normally 55 – but the SSGS are encouring players who have reached their 50^th birthdays to support the Scottish senior men's circuit.

The SSGS captain, Gordon MacDonald (Callander), who has turned 60 and Hendry Anderson, 55 from Glenbervie, finished joint third on 146.

LEADING TOTALS

145 G Blair (Haddington) 75 70, I Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 67 78.

146 G MacDonald (Callander) 73 73, H Anderson (Glenbervie) 70 76.

147 A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 72 75.

148 J Fraser (Royal Burgess) 75 73, N Mathews (Leven Th) 75 73, J McDonald (Cowglen) 73 75.

149 B Smith (Hamilton) 75 74, C Christy (Kilmacolm) 74 75, D Murphy (Kinross) 73 76, R MacLean (Hamilton) 72 77.

150 M Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 75 75, P Lamb (Biggar) 74 76.

151 B Halbert (Callander) 78 73, G Rodaks (Moffat) 75 76, B Bingham (Haggs Castle) 75 76, D McCart (Sherwood Forest) 73 78, H Milligan (Hamilton) 73 788, B Stewart (Tulliallan) 72 79, G Paterson (Northern) 77 74.

152 J W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 78 74, K Bruce (Edzell) 78 74, R McLellan (Turnberry) 76 76, S Macdonald (Dunfermline) 75 77.

153 J Aman (Grangemouth) 77 76.

154 A Ferguson (Drumpellier) 77 77, B Grieve (King James VI) 79 75, M Niven (Dunfermline) 79 75, I Taylor (Royal Burgess) 78 76.

155 G Thomson (Bearsden) 77 78,

ends

Title-holder David Lane shares
lead in English Seniors

David Lane proved he isn't going to relinquish the English Seniors Championship without a fight by sharing the lead after a sunny opening day in Kent.
Lane, who won the title for the third time a year ago at Enville in Staffordshire, carded a one-over-par 71 to be joint leader with Nick Rogers from Hampshire, Warwickshire's Neil Stewart, and former Walker Cup man Peter Hedges, all four players being in action at Knole Park.
They are a stroke ahead of Alastair Brown from Cheshire and Cornwall's Michael Marshall, both at Knole Park, and two clear of Welsh international John Jermine and former English champion Doug Arnold from Sussex, who produced the best returns at Wildernesse.
"I'm happy with 71, said 66-year-old Lane, pictured above playing in the Scottish Seniors Open amateur at Elgin by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved). "The course was good and the greens superb at Knole Park, which isn't an easy course with a par of 70. The key is to play the six short holes in par and I managed to be one under. I am at Wildernesse tomorrow and you can really make a score around there."
Rogers, 56, plays off four handicap at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, while 57-year-old Stewart from Nuneaton is also off four. Hedges, who played in two Walker Cups and 73 times for England in the 1970s and 1980s, and is still off scratch at the age of 61, is a distinct threat. He lives in nearby Sevenoaks and is due to play his home course at Wildernesse tomorrow.
Wildernesse with its tree-lined fairways, was a tough nut to crack. After a lot of rain there was little run on the ball, it played its full 6,532-yards, and there were some imaginative pin positions as one player put it. Jermine found two birdies in his 73, while Arnold carded three.
"You can always say it could have been a couple of shots better but I am happy with that.", declared Arnold. "You've just got to keep in contention in the first round and I have done that with a very steady round."
Another "Steady Eddie" was former speedway ace Dave Jessup who returned 74 at Wildernesse on his maiden appearance in a seniors event in the UK having turned 55 in March. But the Kent man already has a senior title under his belt after winning an Over-50s tournament in South Africa last winter.
He also had surgery earlier this year for a torn tendon in his shoulder but showed he is fit enough to make an impression on the senior scene. While Lane was making sure he stayed in contention, some of his England senior international team-mates were finding the Kent courses a problem. Bob Knott and Gordon Broster both returned 78 at Knole Park, while Roy Smethurst and Jon Marks went round Wildernesse in 77 and 79 respectively.
There was some excuse for Smethurst who was playing his first competitive round in seven months, having undergone a hernia operation at the end of February.
"I didn't start playing again until the end of April," he admitted. "I was quite pleased with the way I hit the ball but I just didn't putt well. When you haven't played a competitive round for so long you can't expect any more. I had chances but I'm just a bit rusty."

Last hole and play-off drama at Elgin

David Lane (left), Bob Stewart and Ian Hutcheon at Elgin. David and Ian gained bronze medals for finishing joint third and Ian pipped David for the Over-65s prize on the better last round (Cal Carson Golf Agency image).

Tulliallan's Bob
Stewart wins
Scottish seniors
title at Elgin

Tullliallan Golf Club member Bob Stewart won the Scottish senior men's open amateur golf championship today after a final hour's play at Elgin Golf Club packed with drama and fluctuating fortunes.
Bob moved past faltering overnight leader David Lane (Goring & Streatley) when he birdied the second, fifth, eight and 11th and dropped only one shot, at the fourth, to take the lead with four or five holes to go.
Then the 57-year-old former champion of Tulliallan and Glenbervie golf clubs, as well as Clackmannan county, three-putted to bogey the 14th, pulled his second into a bad lie to bogey the 16th and then a poor drive cost him another bogey at the 18th. He still finished with a 69 - the only man over the three days' play to match the Hardhillock course par - but his nine-over-par final total of 216 was vulnerable.
"I really thought I had thrown my title chance away when I came off the 18th," said Bob Stewart.
David Lane, who had double bogeys at the eighth and 18th for a 76, was not going to win the title for a third time. He finished joint third on 219.
Defending champion Ian Hutcheon from Monifieth - "I was unhappy with my iron shots all week" - also came in on 219 after closing with a 73.
There was now only one man who could catch clubhouse leader Bob Stewart and it was his namesake, Iain Stewart, now resident in Ireland and a member of The Curragh club, near Dublin but born and bred in Clydebank.
Iain Stewart's birdies in his final round at the 11th, 12th and 17th put him two shots clear of the field. On the 18th tee, he needed to finish with a par 4 to win the title by two ... a bogey 5 to win by one ... and a double bogey 6 to go into a play-off with Bob Stewart.
And a double bogey 6 and a play-off it was after Iain Stewart's second shot hit a distance marker and he finally had to hole a fair-sized putt to force a play-off.
Iain's luck did not change in the play-off. He pushed his drive from the first tee into a bad lie in the trees and could only pitch out on to the fairway from where he missed the green left with a three wood. He finished up with another double-bogey 6 to Bob Stewart's pitch and putt 4 from just off the green.
"I felt sorry for Iain. He had rotten luck at the 18th and again in the play-off," said Bob Stewart. "This is obviously by best ever performance since I became eligible to play in seniors' golf three years ago. I've never seen the Elgin course before this tournament. You can bet I'll come back and treasure the memories of becoming a Scottish champion here."
Hutcheon and Lane each received a bronze medal for finishing third equal but the Monifieth man pipped the Englishman for the over-65s prize on the better last round (73 to a 76).