Matthew Clark has big lead in the Race to Meldrum House

FROM GEORGE YOUNG
NE DISTRICT SGU SECRETARY

Scroll down to view the current North East District Men's Order of Merit points tallies in the "Race to Meldrum House" grand finale on Sunday, September 22, very kindly sponsored by  Thistle Bathrooms and  Kitchens.   
  

Following the North East District Open at Portlethen this past weekend, Matthew Clark (Meldrum House), with 126pts, has a commanding lead over second-placed Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) on 93 points with Barrie Edmond (Bon Accord) third on 91 pts.

Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) occupies fourth place on 45pts while David Morrison (Meldrum House), John Godward (McDonald) Ellon) and Jordan Calder (Newmachar) are all tied fifth on the 44pts mark.  

 

The race is now well and truly on to finish in the top 24 to gain a place at Meldrum House on September 22 and, with only two qualifying events to go, there are a number of players vying for the 24th spot.  

 

The two remaining qualifying events are the Kemnay 18-hole Open,  re-scheduled for Saturday, August 31, and the Royal Aberdeen 18-hole Open on Sunday, September 15.

 

Points scorers at the North East District Open at Portlethen were: Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 45

Matthew Clark (Meldrum House) 36

Barrie Edmond (Bon Accord) 30

Jordan Calder (Newmachar) 24

Gary Esson (Portlethen) 18

Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 15

Fintan McKenna (Royal Aberdeen) 12

Dylan Smith (Portlethen) 9

Chris Somers (Murcar Links) 6

Keith Horne (Portlethen) 3.     

2018 North East District Men's Order of Merit
   Compiled by George Young, NE District secretary

 Player Club
Kings Links Phillips DHR Portlethen Newmachar Murcar Links Kemnay Ballater Banchory NE Open Royal Aberdeen Meldrum House   CURRENT POINTS TOTAL

1 Matthew Clark (Meldrum House)  30 30      30 36   126
2 Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 24  4 12 8    45       93
3 Barrie Edmond Bon Accord 3 20  15  15   8 30          91
4 Mark Halliday Royal Aberdeen        30  15                45
5 David Morrison Meldrum House   24  8 12                44
6 John Godward McDonald     24    20                          44
7 Jordan Calder Newmachar  2 12  6     24                    44
8 John Ross Newmachar  10 16  16                               42
9 Chris Gilbert Cruden Bay   9  20 10                            39
10 Mark Thomson Kintore   4 8    24                             36
11 Chris Somers Murcar Links 5     6   16 6                  33
12 Bryan Innes Murcar Links 6 16      10                      32
13 Calum Morrison Inverurie     30                              30
14 Clark Brechin Portlethen    6  1  12 10                    29
15 Corin Stewart Murcar Links 2     3  8 12                 25
16 Daniel Sim Royal Aberdeen   20                            20
17 David Fanthorpe Kemnay        20                          20
18 Ferghus Milne Banchory         24                           20
19 Gary Esson Portlethen          18                             18
20 Ritchie Manson Kemnay        16                          16
21 Neil Mitchell Bon Accord 15                               15
22 Graeme Mitchell Northern 12                              12
23 Anthony Bews Murcar Links  12                         12
24 Robbie H Murdoch Portlethen    12                     12
25 Fintan McKenna Royal Aberdeen   12                12
26 James Booth Meldrum House     10                    10
27 Greg Ingram Inverurie 10                                   10
28 Adam Fisher Peterculter    10                             10
29 Niall Young Insch   9                                            9
30 Dylan Smith Portlethen          9                             9
31 Stewart Finnie Caledonian 8                                 8
32 Kenny Gunnyeon Newmachar  8                          8
33 Chris Lamb Newmachar  6                                   6
34 Greig Kennedy Hazlehead   6                               6
35 Adrian Styles Murcar Links 4     2                       6
36 Lewis Morgan Kemnay        6                              6
37 Alan Holbrook Peterculter    5                              5
38 Ryan Sinclair Newmachar      5                            5
39 Euan Duthie Newmachar     4                               4
40 Chris Forman Peterhead  4                                   4
41 Kevin Masson Newmachar      4                          4
42 Jamie Hall Deeside        4                                    4
43 Adam Lindsay Banchory         4                          4
44 Stephen Singer Peterculter    3                             3
45 Keith Horne Portlethen          3                            3
46 Philip C Gordon Duff House Royal   2                2
47 Mark Rae Newmachar     2                                  2
48 Neil McKinnon Murcar Links    2                       2
49 Andrew Hepburn Newmachar        2                   2
50 Ben Read Banchory         2                                  2
51 Iain Welsh Nigg Bay         2                                2
52 Timothy Gray Royal Aberdeen 1                        1
53 Kevin Daglish Nigg Bay    1                               1
            

Spence Trophy junior semi-finals on October 6

 

Qualifiers for the Spence Trophy junior champions' match-play semi-finals on Sunday, October 6 at Murcar Links are:

 

Ruaridh Fenwick (Deeside) v Ben Read (Banchory).

Cameron Black (Royal Aberdeen) v Lewis Watt (McDonald Ellon)

 

TOM GUEANT WINS THE 93RD R and A BOYS’

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT SAUNTON
 

 

 

Tom Gueant (pictured) from France defeated Wilmer Ederö of Sweden on the 37^th hole to win the 93rd R and A British Boys’ Amateur Championship at Saunton today.
 

Gueant becomes the first Frenchman to lift the trophy since Patrick Cros’ victory at Olton in 1960.
 

 He will now play in The 125^th British Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire, and gains an exemption into Final Qualifying for The 149^th Open, at Royal St Georges, as a result of his victory.

 

NERVOUS START

 

In a nervy start, Gueant and Ederö both opened with bogeys, the Frenchman adding another at the 2^nd to give his opponent a one-hole advantage.  
Ederö then made a bogey at the third for the match to be squared.

In true links fashion, the conditions at Saunton were  challenging through the opening 18 holes and it was mistakes as much as converted opportunities that dictated the lead.

A bogey 5 on the 7^th hole from Gueant saw Ederö once again take a one-hole lead which the 15-year-old Swede extended by making the only birdie in the opening 18 holes of the match at the par four 10^th hole.  

Showing great composure, Gueant parred his way into the clubhouse winning four holes to take a two-hole lead as Ederö continued to battle with the conditions. He recorded bogeys on the 12^th and 14^th and the two closing holes to hand his opponent the advantage going into the afternoon of the 36 hole final.

 

LEAD EVAPORATED

 

Gueant’s lead quickly evaporated, however, as he conceded the 20th and lost the 21st with a bogey. A further error on the 22nd saw his Swedish opponent reclaim the lead for the first time since the 13^th hole. Gueant responded with his first birdie of the day on the 23^rd hole to level the match for the fifth time.

A bogey from Ederö on the 25^th hole saw him go one down but he fought back with a birdie on the 27^th to square the match. The 15-year-old continued to show plenty of determination setting up a birdie opportunity on the 30^th hole which just slid past the hole.

Ederö seemed to have seized the initiative when he birdied the 32^nd and 33^rd holes to take a two-hole advantage on Gueant but the Frenchman rallied impressively to  stage a late comeback, winning the 35^th and 36^th holes to take the match to extra holes. A birdie three on the 37^th hole was enough to seal a hard-fought victory for Gueant.    

 

Key quotes:

 

TOM GUEANT

 

“This is one of the greatest junior championships in the world and I think the biggest in Europe so I am really happy to be the champion this year.    

“I was two-up after the first 18 holes this morning but that doesn’t really mean a lot because we still had 18 holes to go. It was really tight at the end and I was two down after 34 holes but I won the 35^th, 36^th and the 37^th.

“I didn’t think about the result and how the match was going, I was more focused on the wind and the external elements. I was just focused on my game and each shot.

“17 was tough today with a lot of front wind. On the 35^th hole, I hit a really bad tee shot that went right and I tried to hit a flop shot but I chunked it. I was then in the bunker and I tried to play a smooth shot which finished pretty close to the pin and I holed the putt to win the hole.

“On 18, the 36^th, I played a two iron shot to the right side of the fairway and played an eight iron to the front of the green and two putted from about 25 metres which was good.

“On the 37^th hole I hit a good driver and had about 150 metres with the wind and I hit a good six iron close to the pin, about two metres, and I holed the putt.

“Standing over the winning putt I was just saying to myself, this is just a putt like I have had a million times, just make it and it will be good.

“It was really good to have my dad with me and I am really happy to have had that moment. He is always supporting me and I really want to thank him for that.”

WILMER EDERö
 

"It’s a very long week and I played very well except for the first round. I am proud but it’s tough to lose like this after being dormie at 17 and 18.

"I have learned a lot this week, mainly that I need to work on a lot of shots around the green and you can’t hit the green every time so to make par sometimes you need to chip in. So, lots to take away with me."

The  94^th Boys Amateur Championship will be played at Moortown and Alwoodley in England, from August 11-16 2020.

 

 

JAMES BROWN TROPHY AT HAMILTON

Bellshill A Team won the James Brown Trophy at Hamilton Golf Club today with winning scores of 76 72 76. The winning team was Craig Longmuir, Stuart Cook and David Findlay.

19 teams took part.

CSS was 72

Strathaven C and B teams were second and third.

Best scratch score was Colin Raeburn of Strathaven with a 71.

Paul Lawrie wins Scottish Senior Open by

two strokes at Craigielaw

Paul Lawrie won the Scottish Senior Open to claim his first Staysure Tour title in front of a home crowd at Craigielaw Golf Club today

The 1999 Open Champion from Aberdeen battled gusty conditions throughout the final round to record a level par round of 71 to win his maiden over-50s title by two shots ahead of Peter Baker and Peter Fowler.

Lawrie, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Major success at Carnoustie Golf Links last month, made the turn in 33 strokes, two under par, and battled hard in the blustery conditions on the back nine to card a round of 71.

After battling injury last season and having turned 50 at the beginning of the year, Lawrie was delighted to clinch an inaugural win on the over-50s circuit, especially on home soil.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing in Scotland and that is my fourth win in my home country and I’m very proud of that,” he said.

“I think a lot of the players struggle to play in their own country with expectations on them, but I’ve always felt comfortable playing in front of Scottish people.

“It doesn’t matter what tour it is, winning is difficult; it’s not easy. Peter Baker did a top effort to get in the house at level par, so my job was to get in at one under par, that was the only job I was thinking about and I managed to finish one better than that.

“I’ve not won since 2012 on the European Tour. Obviously, I’m a senior now and I’m playing senior events. I want to be one of the top players on the Staysure Tour and I want to be one of the top seniors, so this win is a massive step to doing that.

 

GETTING BETTER

 

“My game has been getting better for a few weeks and I’ve been telling people that I’m getting there and I’m going to win soon. The Senior Open was the first week where I felt my foot and my back were where I needed them to be.

"My surgeon, Gordon Mackay, said it would take a year for my foot to be right. I thought my career was over with my foot the way that it was, but Gordon McKay did a great job.”  

Baker, winner of Senior Open Hauts de France by Jean van de Velde in June, recorded a one under par round of 70 to finish two strokes behind Lawrie in a share of second place with Fowler.
The overnight leader was unable to follow his impressive five-under-par round of 66 from day two as he signed for a disappointing four over par round of 75.

Englishman David Shacklady and Markus Brier of Austria completed the top five as they signed for rounds of 69 and 73, respectively, to finish at one-over-par total.

 

Final Totals
par 216 (3x72)

 

 211 P Lawrie (Sco) 68 72 71

 213 P Baker (Eng) 71 72 70, P Fowler (Aus) 72 66 75

 214 D Shacklady (Eng) 73 72 69, M Brier (Aut) 70 71 73

 215 P Price (Wales) 72 71 72, J Remesy (Fra) 74 70 71

 217 D Smyth (Irl) 73 74 70, J Sandelin (Swe) 72 77 68, P Eales (Eng) 71 70 76, M Farry (Fra) 71 74 72, R Chapman (Eng) 71 74 72, J Spence (Eng) 72 72 73 

 218 R Gomez (Arg) 70 73 75, B Longmuir (Sco) 70 75 73, B Lane (Eng) 70 76 72, M Atlevi (Swe) 71 72 75, P Golding (Eng) 74 74 70, M Molina (Arg) 75 70 73, S Brown (Eng) 70 77 71, P Wesselingh (Eng) 70 73 75

 219 S Little (Eng) 76 74 69, G Orr (Sco) 72 74 73, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 70 75 74, 

 220 G Emerson (Eng) 71 74 75, J Kingston (SAf) 74 71 75, J Carriles (Spn) 69 75 76, T Thelen (USA) 69 79 72, D Olsen (USA) 72 76 72

 221 S Tinning (Denmark) 74 73 74, P Streeter (Eng) 74 72 75, M Mackenzie (Eng) 76 72 73, S Luna (Spn) 70 77 74

 222 S Richardson (Eng) 76 72 74, S Dodd (Wales) 72 75 75, A Bossert (Switz) 74 73 75, M Martin (Spn) 69 75 78

 223 M Campbell (NZ) 71 76 76, S Lyle (Sco) 74 74 75

 224 R Drummond (Sco) 70 75 79, J Lomas (Eng) 73 76 75

 227 C Williams (SAf) 73 75 79 

 228 M Mouland (Wal) 70 77 81, D Russell (Eng) 76 80 72, M James (Eng) 74 75 79

 232 D Gilford (Eng) 79 79 74

 233 N Job (Eng) 80 76 77

 234 A Sherborne (Eng) 78 82 74, S McAllister (Sco) 74 75 85

 236 B McGovern (Irl) 76 81 79, P Walton (Irl) 80 76 80

 

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT OPEN FINAL TOTALS

McINTOSH SHOWS AGAIN THAT TITLE-WINNING GOLF

IS POSSIBLE AFTER 50th BIRTHDAY

 

COLIN FARQUHARSON

reporting from Portlethen Golf Club

 

Turnhouse's Euan McIntosh struck a resounding blow for the over-50s by finishing birdie-eagle to pip long-time leader, 18-year-old Jack Broun  (Turnberry) for victory in the 72-hole North-east District Open championship at a windy Portlethen course today.

McIntosh, returning to the competitive circuit at an age when most golfers' best days are behind them, has won the Scottsh amateur championship  along the way and other notable events, such as the Tennant Cup earlier this season.

"I just keeping swinging smoothly, not trying to knock the cover off the ball and I am delighted with the results I am getting at my age," said McIntosh who coped well with the wind that pushed most players' scores higher than they would have liked.

With rounds of 71, 70, 69 and 71 for an excellent total of seven-under-par 281, McIntosh won in a tight finish by two strokes from young Broun who led by two shots after three rounds.

Broun's scores of 69, 66, 73 and 75 for 283 included two double bogey 6s - at the ninth and 16th in his final round -  and, in the final analysis, that cost the Ayrshire youngster the North-east title.

By finishing the 72 holes with a birdie at the 17th and a 10ft eagle 3 putt  at the last hole, McIntosh swept past Broun over the closing holes.

 

It's easy to feel sympathy for Broun who was the only player in the field to break 70 twice. An outstanding prospect at 18, Jack will surely go onwards and upwards in his golfing career.

Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) finished third on 285 (68-72-73-72) and won the trophy that goes to the leading NE District player in the final standings.

 

+Picture of McIntosh with the trophy by courtesy of Cal Carson Golf Agency.

Venue: Portlethen / par 72. CSS 72 72 72 72 

FINAL TOTALS  

281 E McIntosh (Turnhouse) 71 70 69 71
283 J Broun (Turnberry) 69 66 73 75
285 A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 68 72 73 72
286 M Clark (Meldrum House) 70 73 73 70
288 B Edmond (Bon Accord) 75 73 69 71
289 J Calder (Newmachar) 73 75 69 72, M Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 72 69 73 75
290 F McKenna (Royal Aberdeen) 72 70 78 70
291 D Smith (Portlethen) 72 74 72 73
293 M Rickard (Cupar) 74 70 74 75, J Bryce (Bathgate) 74 67 75 77
294 C Somers (Murcar Links) 74 75 72 73, K Horne (Portlethen) 73 74 74 73
295 G Innes (87) 75 77 73 70
297 J Ross (Newmachar) 77 7472 74, F Milne (Banchory) 75 74 72 76, K Nolan Kemnay) 74 74 75 74
298 C Stewart (Murcar Links) 72 72 77 77
300 C Morrison (Inverurie) 71 76 77 76, C Brechin (Portlethen) 75 73 75 77
301 S Wallace (Portlethen) 74 77 74 76, K McCormick (Royal Dornoch) 74 74 73 80, M Thomson (Kintore) 75 72 80 74
304 A Campbell (Murcar Links) 74 77 80 73, E Brown (Portlethen) 74 74 79 77
305 C Gilbert (Cruden Bay 73 76 80 76
306 M Pennycott (Royal Burgess( 72 77 71 76
308 A Bews (Murcar Links) 73 79 81 75, R Dallas (Forfar) 78 75 74 81, C Gray (Cruden Bay) 78 73 84 73
311 J Shaw (Boat of Garten) 76 77 78 80, A Brooks (Kings Acre) 77 75 81 78

Withdrew: R Manson (Kemnay) 79 76 WD
Disqualified: E Brown (Portlethen) 74 74 DQ
Retired: A Fernie (Bruntsfield Links) 72 72 ret

MISSED THE CUT
156 S Cook (Portlethen) 78 78
157 B Read (Banchory) 78 79
158 D Fanthorpe (Kemnay) 81 77, G Kennedy (Hazlehead) 76 82
159 C Carnegie (Kemnay) 82 77
160 A Carrell (Royal Aberdeen) 81 79
161 P Lemon (Cruden Bay) 79 82
162 L Smart (Banchory) 76 86
163 J Rogan (St Andrews New) 83 80
176 A Bain (Shetland) 88 88

WITHDREW
150 R Sharp (Murcar Links) 71 79
153 S MacPherson (Bothwell Castle) 74 79
155 K Gunnyeon (Newmachar) 76 79

NRs F Stoddart (Drumoig) 80 NR, A Borg (Longniddry) 71 75 79 NR
Retired: S McLaren (Bruntsfield Links) 72 80 72 ret

SENIOR PRO TOUR TRIUMPH

Paul Lawrie won the Scottish Senior Open at Craigielaw by two strokes today.

LINK TO ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

http://www.europeantour.com/staysuretour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019840/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT OPEN LATEST NEWS

Ayrshire teenager Jack Broun leads by two

with 18 holes to go at windy Portlethen

Eighteen-year-old Jack Broun from Ayrshire leads the North-east District Open by two strokes with the fourth and final round still to be played at a windy Portlethen later this afternoon.

Broun, pictured, a member at Turnberry and Ayr Belleisle, has had rounds of 69, 66 and 73, running up a 6 at the 18th third time round for an eight-under-par tally of 208.
His nearest rival is former Scottish champion Euan McIntosh (Turnhouse) who gained four strokes on the leader with a third-round 69 for 210.
Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 213, Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 214 and Gary Esson (Portlethen) 215 lead the home challenge.

THIRD ROUND TOTALS
par 216 CSS 72 72 72

208 J Broun (Turnberry) 69 66 73
210 E McIntosh (Turnhouse) 71 70 69
213 A Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 68 72 73
214 M Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 72 69 73
215 G Esson (Portlethen) 70 70 75
216 J Bryce (Bathgate) 74 67 75, M Clark (Meldrum House) 70 73 73
217 J Calder (Newmachar) 73 75 69, B Edmond (Bon Accord) 75 73 69
218 D Smth (Portlethen) 72 74 72, M Rickard (Cupar) 74 70 74
220 F McKenna (Royal Aberdeen) 72 70 78
221 C Stewart (Murcar Links) 72 72 77, K Horne (Portlethen) 73 74 74, K McCormick (Royal Dornoch) 74 74 73, F Milne (Banchory) 75 74 72, C Somers (Murcar Links) 74 75 72
223 J Ross (Newmachar) 77 74 72, C Brechin (Portlethen) 75 73 75, K Nolan (Kemnay) 74 74 75
224 S McLaren (Bruntsfield Links) 72 80 72, C Morrison (Inverurie) 71 76 77
225 S Wallace (Portlethen) 74 77 74, G Innes (Portlethen) 75 77 73, A Borg (Longniddry) 71 75 79
227 R Dallas (Forfar) 78 75 74, M Thomson (Kintore) 75 72 80, E Brown (Portlethen) 74 74 79
229 C Gilbert  (Cruden Bay) 73 76 80
230 M Pennycott (Royal Burgess) 72 77 81
231 A Campbell (Murcar Links) 74 77 80, J Shaw (Boat of Garten) 76 77 78
233 A Brooks (Kings Acre) 77 75 81, A Bews (Murcar Links) 73 79
235 C Gray (Cruden Bay) 78 73 84
Withdrew: R Manson (Kemnay) 79 76 WD
Retired: A Fernie (Bruntsfield Links) 72 72 ret

MISSED THE CUT
156 S Cook (Portlethen) 78 78
157 B Read (Banchory) 78 79
158 D Fanthorpe (Kemnay) 81 77, G Kennedy (Hazlehead) 76 82
159 C Carnegie (Kemnay) 82 77
160 A Carrell (Royal Aberdeen) 81 79
161 P Lemon (Cruden Bay) 79 82
162 L Smart (Banchory) 76 86
163 J Rogan (St Andrews New) 83 80
176 A Bain (Shetland) 88 88

WITHDREW
150 R Sharp (Murcar Links) 71 79
153 S MacPherson (Bothwell Castle) 74 79
155 K Gunnyeon (Newmachar) 76 79
NR F Stoddart (Drumoig) 80 NR