Wrist injury may rule out 2005 winner John Gallagher
ODDS STACKED AGAINST
LLOYD SALTMAN WINNING
CRAIGMILLAR PARK OPEN
The 45 winners of the Craigmillar Park Open golf tournament since the Edinburgh 72-hole event started in 1961 have included such famous names as Ronnie Shade (1961-64-66-67-68), Nick Faldo (1976), Charlie Green (1977), Ian Hutcheon (1979), Andy Oldcorn (1982) and George Macgregor (1983-84).
But only two players have ever pulled off the Scottish amateur circuit’s big early-season double by following up victory in the curtain-raising Scottish champion of champions’ tournament with a win in the Craigmillar Park Open.
They were Raymond Russell from Longniddry in 1993 and Graham Rankin, then playing out of Palacerigg, in 1998.
So the odds are stacked against Lloyd Saltman, the 21-year-old Walker Cup player from Craigielaw, completing the double this weekend, having holed a 93yd wedge shot for an eagle 2 to beat John Gallagher (Swanston) in a play-off for the Scottish Champion of Champions title at Leven last Sunday.
MISSED CUT LAST YEAR
The 45 winners of the Craigmillar Park Open golf tournament since the Edinburgh 72-hole event started in 1961 have included such famous names as Ronnie Shade (1961-64-66-67-68), Nick Faldo (1976), Charlie Green (1977), Ian Hutcheon (1979), Andy Oldcorn (1982) and George Macgregor (1983-84).
But only two players have ever pulled off the Scottish amateur circuit’s big early-season double by following up victory in the curtain-raising Scottish champion of champions’ tournament with a win in the Craigmillar Park Open.
They were Raymond Russell from Longniddry in 1993 and Graham Rankin, then playing out of Palacerigg, in 1998.
So the odds are stacked against Lloyd Saltman, the 21-year-old Walker Cup player from Craigielaw, completing the double this weekend, having holed a 93yd wedge shot for an eagle 2 to beat John Gallagher (Swanston) in a play-off for the Scottish Champion of Champions title at Leven last Sunday.
MISSED CUT LAST YEAR
In fact, Lloyd, pictured above, missed the cut in the Craigmillar Park Open last year when Scott Jamieson, now a professional, was the winner.
“The big difference I feel this year,” said Saltman, “is that playing top-quality tournaments in Australia last month has put an edge on my game at least a month or two ahead of my usual schedule.
“The Craigmillar Park Open usually comes too early for me – which is why I didn’t play well enough to survive the cut last year.”
The basic reason why only two players have pulled off the double is that the two venues - Leven links, a very dry, fast-running links, and Craigmillar Park, a quirky parkland course – are completely different tests of golf.
John Gallagher has risen to international status, despite his unorthodox cack-handed grip, since winning the Craigmillar Park Open in 2005.
He makes no secret of the fact that he does not enjoy playing the Leven links this early in the year when there has been no growth of grass on the fairways or greens. But he does have a soft spot for the Edinburgh venue.
“The big difference I feel this year,” said Saltman, “is that playing top-quality tournaments in Australia last month has put an edge on my game at least a month or two ahead of my usual schedule.
“The Craigmillar Park Open usually comes too early for me – which is why I didn’t play well enough to survive the cut last year.”
The basic reason why only two players have pulled off the double is that the two venues - Leven links, a very dry, fast-running links, and Craigmillar Park, a quirky parkland course – are completely different tests of golf.
John Gallagher has risen to international status, despite his unorthodox cack-handed grip, since winning the Craigmillar Park Open in 2005.
He makes no secret of the fact that he does not enjoy playing the Leven links this early in the year when there has been no growth of grass on the fairways or greens. But he does have a soft spot for the Edinburgh venue.
GALLAGHER DOUBTFUL STARTER
Gallagher aggravated a nagging wrist injury at Leven and rates himself a doubtful starter at Craigmillar Park but he does want to play and will delay a decision until he "wakes up on Saturday morning."
Of course, Saltman and Gallagher are not the only quality players in the select field of 78 for what is the first counting event for the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross), who finished second to Jamieson 12 months ago, Scottish amateur match-play champion Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), who led the field for a few holes down the home stretch at Leven last Sunday, and East of Scotland open champion Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) also have the class to win at this level.
The leading 30 and ties at the end of Saturday’s two rounds will qualify for Sunday’s 36 holes.
Of course, Saltman and Gallagher are not the only quality players in the select field of 78 for what is the first counting event for the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Scott Henry (Cardross), who finished second to Jamieson 12 months ago, Scottish amateur match-play champion Kevin McAlpine (Alyth), who led the field for a few holes down the home stretch at Leven last Sunday, and East of Scotland open champion Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) also have the class to win at this level.
The leading 30 and ties at the end of Saturday’s two rounds will qualify for Sunday’s 36 holes.
+LOG ON ONLY TO THIS WEBSITE ON SATURDAY FOR FIRST AND SECOND-ROUND SCORES AND NEWS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE CRAIGMILLAR PARK OPEN.
Labels: Amateur Men
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Friday, April 13, 2007
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