Johnston and MacDonald share the lead 

on 72 in West Seniors  at West Kilbride

By GORDON THOMSON 

John Johnston (Lanark) and Gordon MacDonald (Glenbervie) are tied for the lead on 72 after the first round of the West of Scotland Seniors Open (sponsored by McCrea Financial Services) at West Kilbride.

Former Senior Matchplay champion, Malcolm Reid (Sonning), who has been quiet of late, is one shot back on 73 with eight players on 74, Including former West champions, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and David Gardner  (Broomieknowe). 

Johnston made his score with three birdies around the turn but was disappointed to drop shots at the 16th and 17th holes. At 68, MacDonald is still a match for the best in senior golf. He started brightly with three birdies in the first five holes but faltered slightly on the inward half with dropped shots at the 15th and 18th holes.

With no fewer than 28 players within four shots of the lead a tight finish is in prospect tomorrow.

The course was in excellent condition but a stiff breeze and thick rough just off some of the fairways made scoring conditions difficult particularly for the later starters. The CSS was 74 for the par 71 course.

WEST OF SCOTLAND SENIORS' OPEN TOURNAMENT
West Kilbride Golf Club
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 71 CSS 74
72 J Johnston (Lanark), G MacDonald (Glenbervie)
73 M Reid (Sonning)
74 A Harkness (Southerness), A J Smith (Turriff), L Chancellor (Inverness), D Shields (Glenearn), D Hamilton (Mortonhall), D Fleming (Portlethen), D Gardner (Broomieknowe), R Stewart (Tulliallan).
75 B Muir (Marriott Dalmahoy), I Brotherston (Dumfries and Co), K Bruce (Edzell), I Fraser (Dumfries and Co), G Brown (Strathendrick), I Angus (Duff House Royal), N Robson (Meldrum House), T McLevy (Blairgowrie).
76 A T Campbell (Murcar Links), R Gray (Rowallan Castle), N Gold (Bonnyton), K Forrest (Lenzie), P Dempsey (Tulliallan), G B S Doig (Southerness), B Smith (Hamilton), J Aman (Grangemouth).
77 R W Smith (Nairn), A Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas), R S Millar (Cochrane Castle), G McNab (Lundin) R Craw (Glenbervie), G A Mannering (Bothwell Castle).






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