Big entry for Northern Counties Cup

at Royal Aberdeen

By GARY ABEL
The 118th Northern Counties Cup men's double foursomes inter-club knock-out tournament begins on Friday at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.
Traditionally, it attracts the best amateur golfers from the North-east and North of Scotland including Orkney.

This year there are 37 teams entered, three fewer than the maximum and the best entry the competition has had for many years.

To play over the Balgownie links and visit Aberdeen may have been the double incentive.

Title-holders, Moray, are back to defend their title with the same team as last year - Stuart Tatters and Malcolm Macleman, Kyle Godsman and Graeme Murray.

Moray and Murcar Limks, who were last year's beaten finalist, are the only seeded teams and appear in the opposite sides of the draw.

FRIDAY'S TIES

FIRST ROUND
8.00 Nigg Bay v Orkey.
8.15 Turriff v Wick 2
8.30 Newmachar 1 v Peterhead 1
8.45 McDonald Ellon v Orkney 2.
9.00 Newmachar 2 v Royal Dornoch 1
9.30 Moray 1 v Banchory 2
9.45 Eriskay Whisky Galore v Duff House Royal 2
10.0 Fortrose v Nairn
10.15 Peterhead 2 v Royal Aberdeen 1.
10.30 Moray 2 v Inverness
11.00 Meldrum House v Deeside.
11.15 Cruden Bay 2 v Duff House Royal 1
11.30 Elgin v Banchory 1
11.45 Fraserburgh v Royal Aberdeen 2
12.00 Reay v Muir of Ord
12.15 Tain v Murcar Links

SECOND ROUND
1.00 Royal Dornoch 2 v Nigg Bay or Orkney 1
1.15 Wick 1 v Turriff or Wick 2
1.30 Forres v Newmachar 1 or Peterhead 1
1.45 Cruden Bay 1 v McDonald Ellon or Orkney 2
2.00 Brora v Newmachar 2 or Royal Dornoch 2.