EXTENDED REPORT FROM SPAIN

Play it again, Sam! Good start with a 67

in Castellon Senior Tour championship

By STEVE TODD, Seniors Tour press officer
Sam Torrance’s hopes of winning a third European Senior Tour Order of Merit were boosted by a five under par round of 67 in the OKI Castellόn Senior Tour Championship to lie three strokes behind first round leader Angel Franco.
Torrance needs to finish in at least the top four, and hope Ian Woosnam is down the field, to be in with a chance of winning the John Jacobs Trophy he claimed in 2005 and 2006.
The Scot, who is defending his OKI Castellόn Senior Tour Championship title, posted six birdies – including one on the final hole - and just the single bogey on the 11th hole.
Torrance, pictured, finished five strokes better off than Order of Merit leader and fellow former Ryder Cup winning Captain Ian Woosnam, who carded a level par round of 72 following back-to-back birdies on the final two holes.
“There was some good scoring out there today and I’ve started well,” said Torrance. “It was nice to end on a birdie when I hit it close and it was a good day all round.
“It’s always nice to come back to a place you have done well as you know you can do it here and I’ve started confidently.
“I know I probably have to finish either first or second so it’s a good start and we’ll see what we can do.”
Fellow Scot Ross Drummond, who is searching for his maiden Senior Tour title, posted a flawless six under par round of 66 to lie two strokes behind Franco and one behind Australian Mike Harwood.
Gordon Brand junior posted a 68 while John Chillas opened with a round of 69.
Angel Franco boosted his bid to break into the top ten on the European Senior Tour Order of Merit with a flawless eight under par 64 to lead by one stroke.
The Paraguayan carded the lowest round of his Senior Tour career, with five birdies on a superb front nine to reach the turn in 31 before picking up a further three shots on the 11th, 12th and 18th holes.
Franco finished 11th in last year’s Order of Merit and finds himself in the same position this season, following another consistent campaign in which he has had five top ten finishes.
The 51 year old has finished runner up five times in his Senior Tour career - including twice this season - but is determined to go one better at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo.
“It was another good round of golf. I played well and putted really well which is important for a good score,” he said.
“I hit a lot of good shots and had some luck. On the front nine I holed some long putts which gave me lots of confidence, the longest being on the 12th hole from 15ft.”
The luck Franco was referring to included a drop shot on the 17th hole – which he went on to par – after his mammoth 320yd drive finished up behind a toilet. With a knee injury also troubling him, Franco might need a little more good fortune but he is optimistic this could be the week he breaks his duck.
He said: “I’m going to have surgery on both knees next month and I can’t walk very well. It affects me a lot on my driving and long irons as I can’t rotate my leg but I hope I can keep this form up for the weekend. I really want to win on this wonderful Tour. I have lots of faith and believe I can.”
Franco has a one-shot advantage over Mike Harwood, who continued the form that saw him win the Australian Senior Open a fortnight ago as he carded a seven under par 65.
The Australian fired nine birdies, including a spectacular run when he holed four consecutive putts from more than 20ft.
Harwood is looking to end his maiden Senior Tour campaign on a high, with third place in the DGM Barbados Open back in March his best finish so far.
The 50 year old said: “Considering I don’t know the course and the amount of travelling I’ve done in the last two weeks, I was quite amazed I pulled it together, as mentally I felt not with it.
“I putted fantastic today and my short game was electric. I didn’t play super tee-to-green but my short game was amazing.
“Winning the Australian Senior Open bred confidence and I’ve fed off it. I’ve been searching for that all year.
“I was free-wheeling it a bit today. I didn’t find the course that easy. I know the kids on the European Tour had some ridiculous scores round here a couple of weeks ago but I’m not a great iron player so the par 3s were tough for me.
“It’s just nice to be in contention again though. On the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth I made four putts from 20ft and I don’t do that very often. I’m really good from inside ten feet but hopeless from outside so to make those putts four times in a row and right in the middle was unbelievable.”
Ian Woosnam, who leads the Order of Merit, fought back from a difficult start to finish with back-to-back birdies to get to level par but is eight shots off the lead after four bogeys and a double bogey in his round of 72.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
64 A Franco (Par)
65 M Harwood (Aus)
66 R Drummond (Sco), D Smyth (Irl)
67 S Torrance (Sco), J Bruner (USA)
68 D O'Sullivan (Irl), C Mason (Eng), G Brand junior (Sco) ,
69 J Bland (RSA), C Rocca (Ita), L Carbonetti (Arg) , J Chillas (Sco) , J Heggarty (NIr) , G Brand (Eng), P Mitchell (Eng), J Rivero (Esp)
70 N Job (Eng), M Piñero (Esp), M Clayton (Aus), G Ralph (Eng)
71 T Johnstone (Zim) , J Quiros (Esp), B Longmuir (Sco) , D Hospital (Esp) , R Chapman (Eng) , B Cameron (Eng)
72 E Darcy (Irl), I Woosnam (Wal) , E Rodriguez (Esp) , A Murray (Eng) , M Cunning (USA) , K Tomori (Jpn), C Williams (RSA)
73 K Spurgeon (Eng) , D Merriman (Aus)
74 G Cali (Ita)
75 B Smit (RSA)
76 V Garcia (Esp), D Cambridge (Jam) , B Lincoln (RSA)
80 G Hopkins (USA)

Scottish seniors at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort

Ian Brotherston reigns in Spain again,

signing off with excellent 68

Ian Brotherston's form was on a par with the weather - very hot as the temperature went over 25 degrees - as he shot an excellent four-under-par 68 - by far the lowest score of the tournament - in the final round to retain by a runaway margin the Murcia Seniors Open title - organised by the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society - over the Hacienda del Alamo course in Spain, which will shortly host one of European Tour Qualifying School's Stages 3 events.
The Dumfries & County player, who has a +2 handicap, was winning the 54-hole event for the second year in a row. His earlier rounds were 73 and 75 and his total of level par 216 over the testing Dave Thomas-designed course, saw him finish seven shots clear of runner-up Dougal Chalmers (Panmure).
Chalmers had rounds of 73, 75 and 75 for a total of 223 and, playing off two, won the top handicap prize with a net total of 217, one shot ahead of John Johnston, the former Scotland interantional from Royal Aberdeen.

***On the Sunday before Murcia Seniors Open, Ian Brotherston played in the Hacienda Open one rounder off the same tees and shot a new course record of 63 made up of nine birdies and nine pars.

LEADING SCRATCH TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
216 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 73 75 68.
223 Dougal Chalmers (Panmure) 73 75 75.
225 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 76 78 71.
227 John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 76 78 73.
229 Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline) 82 73 74.
230 Bill McIntyre (Harpenden) 76 77 77, Jim Johnston (Northumnberland) 75 76 78.
232 Andrew Brodie (Balmore) 78 78 76, Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 78 73 81.
233 Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth) 81 74 78.
234 George Paterson (Northern) 79 78 77, Fred Hutcheon (Monifieth) 78 78 78, David Millar (Galashiels) 76 79 79.
235 Keith Bruce (Edzell) 82 77 76, John McDonald (Cowglen) 84 73 78, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 82 75 78, Eddie McIntyre 77 80 78, Richard Gray (Cowglen) 73 78 84.
236 Norman Forster (Peterculter) 74 77 75, Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 80 79 77.
237 Andrew Laird (Deeside) 84 75 78.
238 Ken Forrest (Lenzie) 85 78 74, Gordon Gray (Deeside) 83 77 78, David Doodson (Temple) 81 79 78, Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) 78 78 82.
240 Jim Emslie (Royal Aberdeen) 82 81 77, Alan Nelson (Banchory) 80 82 78, Donnie Lindsay (Windyhill) 79 80 81.
242 Bill Methven (Royal Aberdeen) 78 80 84.
Other scores:
243 Drew Wilson 82 78 83.
244 Ian Jeen 83 83 78, Robbie Nairn 81 80 83, Ron McDonald 80 79 85.
245 Ray Donnelly 81 81 83.
247 Jim Kinloch 86 82 79.
249 Finlay Jardine 86 80 83.
251 Brian Kidd 88 86 77, Duncan Forbes 86 79 86, Peter Kinloch 86 79 86.
252 Derek Hitchman 85 87 80, Ian Gourlay 84 81 87.
253 Jim Pagan 88 84 81.
269 Fraser Sharp 87 88 84.
264 Jim Scott 92 87 85, Peter Higgins 87 92 85, Neish Chisholm 92 83 89.
265 Frank Knighton 93 88 84.
266 Colin Grant 91 81 94.
268 Paul Higgins 89 93 86.
274 Morrison Johnston 92 89 93.
277 Norman Williamson 95 92 90.
281 Ron Taylor 99 97 85.
283 Doug Baldry 102 93 88.
298 Bill Crighton 102 94 102.
LEADING HANDICAP
217 Dougal Chalmers (Panmure) (2) 71 73 73.
218 John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) (3) 73 75 70.
219 Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) (2) 74 76 79.
Other net totals included:
220 Gordon Gray (6) 77 71 72, Eddie McIntyre (5) 72 75 73.
221 Norman Forster (5) 79 72 70, Bill McIntyre (3) 73 74 73, Jim Johnston (3) 72 73 76.
222 Ian Brotherston (+2) 75 77 70, Fred Hutcheon (4) 74 74 74, David Millar (4) 72 72 75.
223 Scott MacDonald (2) 80 71 72, Andrew Brodie (3) 75 75 73, David Doodson (5) 76 74 73.
224 Keith Howie (4) 76 75 73.
225 Alan Nelson (5) 75 77 73.
226 Keith Bruce (3) 79 74 73, Robbie Nairn (6) 75 73 77, Richard Gray (3) 70 75 81.

Kent and Cheshire win opening matches

at English seniors' county finals

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
A feeling of relief spread around the Kent team after they edged past Dorset 6-3 on the opening day of the English Seniors County Finals at Tandridge but there were no such problems for Cheshire who beat Staffordshire 7-2.
Having won all three of the morning foursomes, Kent looked set for a comfortable victory over the south west champions but it didn’t go to plan.
At one stage Dorset led in five of the six singles and were poised not only TO turn the contest on its head but also to create a major shock. Gradually Kent staged a recovery and it was Sam Smale who saw them over the line with a one-hole victory over Graham Taylor.
Andrew Stracey found little problems in the top single against Chris Dennis, the Kent man being two down after eight holes but then won seven of the next eight for a 4 and 2 victory.
Brian Medlam beat Chris Hurst by two holes with a birdie 3 at the 18th, while John Smith overcame English seniors champion Chris Reynolds in similar style with a fine last-hole birdie, Smith’s powers of recovery and his slick putting proving decisive.
That left Kent still short of their target but Ricky Moore ensured they couldn’t lose with a half against David Lock although he was two up with two to play. So it was left to Smale to be the hero of the hour. He was three up after 12 and looking set to win out in the country. However, Taylor hit him with back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14 then grabbed an unlikely win with a par at the 17th to leave the contest all square.
Taylor found trouble at the tricky last where a solid par from Smale was enough to give Kent another point, while David Backhouse for Dorset birdied the last to snatch a half against Howard Moxon.
Cheshire also won all three morning foursomes against Staffordshire and they underlined their supremacy when two of their internationals, Roy Smethurst and Phil Jones won emphatically.
Smethurst covered the front nine in three under par to be four up against Neil Portas at the turn and he maintained the pressure to win 6 and 5 as did Jones over John Loader.
Jones was five up and level par at the turn, won the 10th with a par 4 and settled the match at the 13th.
Glen MacBryde secured Staffordshire’s first point with a 4 and 3 win over Alastair Brown but another international, George Payne, gave Cheshire their sixth point with a 3 and 2 win over Nick Copestick, Brown rounding off proceedings with successive birdies at 15 and 16.
Steve Baker was two up against Barry Whitehouse but found himself all square at the turn after the Staffordshire man birdied the eighth and ninth. Baker edged ahead again but was taken to the last where a par 4 settled it in the Cheshire man’s favour.
Staffordshire gained some consolation when Ben Rhodes overcame Phil Slater by two holes in the final encounter.
For more information, scoring, championship commentary and news updates visit the Championships Section of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org.

Ireland men retain senior title in Westport

Ireland retained the Senior Men's Home International title after coming through the winner- takes-all showdown with Scotland at Westport Golf Club in Mayo this afternoon.
The hosts laid solid foundations after picking up two-and-a-half from a possible three points in the morning foursomes.
Adrian Morrow and Maurice Kelly teamed up in the top match to deny Gordon MacDonald and Sandy Pirie by one hole. Tom Cleary and Michael Quirke's victory was much more clear-cut as they trounced Robert Stewart and Derek Murphy 7 and 6, while Hugh Smyth and Seamus McParland halved with John Fraser and George Paterson.
The afternoon singles was less straight forward but experience from the 2008 European champions came through. Morrow and Stewart halved the top match while Ireland edged closer to victory with Kelly's 6 and 4 win over Fraser and Quirke's 6 and 5 victory against Murphy.
The successful defence was assured when McParland denied Paterson 5 and 3. Cleary and Smyth both lost but the overall victory was already assured as Ireland won 6-3.
Wales defeated England by 5-4 to take third place and consign the European champions to fourth place.
Today's details:
IRELAND 6, SCOTLAND 3
Foursomes (2 1/2-1/2):
Adrian Morrow & Maurice Kelly bt Gordon McDonald & Sandy Pirie 1 hole.
Tom Cleary & Michael Quirke bt Robert Stewart & Derek Murphy 7 and 6.
Hugh Smyth & Seamus McParland halved with John Fraser & George Paterson.
Singles (3 1/2-2 1/2)
Adrian Morrow halved with Robert Stewart
Maurice Kelly bt John Fraser 6 and 4.
Michael Quirke bt Derek Murphy 6 and 5.
Tom Cleary lost to Ian Hutcheon 3 and 2.
Seamus McParland bt George Paterson 5 and 3.
Hugh Smyth lost to Gordon MacDonald 4 and 2.

WALES 5, ENGLAND 4
Foursomes (3-0).
Garry Huggett & John Whitcutt bt Geoff King & Stewart King 1 hole.
Phil Jones & Keith Stimpson bt Andrew Carman & Andrew Stracey 1 hole.
Robert Broad & Mike Rooke bt Doug Arnold & Chris Reynolds 3 and 2.
Singles (2-4):
Robert Broad lost to Chris Reynolds 1 hole.
John Whitcutt halved with Andrew Stracey.
Steve Hopkins lost to Geoff King 2 and 1.
Garry Huggett lost to Andrew Carman 3 and 2.
Keith Stimpson halved with Philip Slater.
Phil Jones bt Stewart King 4 and 2.

+Scotland won the Senior Women's Home Internationals title for the first time at Newport, Wales. Switch over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk, to read all about it and see an image of the Scots with the Sue Johnson Trophy.

Gordon is Supermac for Scotland senior men

as they beat England at Westport

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
Gordon MacDonald was the match-winner as Scotland edged out England on day one of the Senior Men's Home Internationals at Westport in Ireland.
The former Scottish Senior champion beat reigning English Senior champion Chris Reynolds by one hole in the final singles tie to clinch a 5-4 win.
MacDonald, and playing partner Sandy Pirie, had been swept aside 8&7 by Reynolds and Doug Arnold in the morning foursomes, but the Scot had his revenge in the afternoon.
Despite MacDonald and Pirie's heavy defeat, Scotland rallied to claim the foursomes 2-1 and singles wins for Ian Hutcheon and Bob Stewart pushed them nearer the finishing line.
But defeats for George Paterson, John Fraser and Derek Murphy saw England draw level before MacDonald holed a 15ft putt to beat Reynolds at the last.
In the day's other tie, defending champions Ireland beat Wales 7-2.
*The full article above contains 153 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Hacienda del Alamo to stage a Senior Masters

event for over-47s (pro and Category 1 amateurs)

The five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia in Spain has added another attractive event to its programme of open golf tournaments.
The Hacienda del Alamo Senior Masters will be held from November 2 to 4. It will be a 54-hole tournament with no cut. It will be open to pro golfers over the age of 47 years and Category 1 amateurs with the same minimum age.
It will be presented by Hacienda Golf Properties - for whom John Green (himself a senior pro golfer) is the main man - in association with Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Eighteen holes will be played every day and a free practice round will be given on November 1.
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Location map click here
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Hacienda Del Alamo is to host one of the forthcoming European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2 events over 72 holes.
It will also be staging shortly the 2nd Scottish Senior Golfing Society's Spanish championships.
And the 3rd Hacienda del Alamo Winter Festival for women, senior women and girls will go on next February.
North-east man Billy Sim is the Director of Golf at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort. He's held the post since Day 1.

Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's practice facilities, included a six-hole Academy course, are second to none in Spain.
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Airports serving the region of Murcia click here
Airlines serving the region click here
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Entry fee: €195 includes all green fees, one practice round and unlimited range balls for the duration of the tournament.
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Entry Form:click
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Prize fund: €TBA dependent on numbers,

Accommodation: Sponsored by Hacienda Golf Properties from €20 pppn in shared luxury villa.
For examples of villa accomodation click here
Entries close on October 26.
Contacts for a tailored quotation:
Sponsor: Hacienda Del Alamo Golf Resort http://www.hdagolf.com/
SponsorHacienda Golf Properties http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/

Contact: John GreenHacienda GolfPropertieshttp://www.hdagolfproperties.com/http://uk.mc870.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=johngreen@hdagolfproperties.com
Telephone from Spain: +34 618 086 285
Tel from UK: +44 7836 385 310
Skype: Haciendagolfproperties

The winning North-east seniors team with Francis Clark extreme left,Sandy Pirie second from the left end, George Paterson second from the right end and John Johnston third from the right end. Andrew Laird and Mike Jenkins are also in the picture (but we don't know which is which! - Editor).

NORTH-EAST WIN SENIORS AREA TEAM

TITLE AT WINDY LOSSIEMOUTH

North-east, spearheaded by Mike Jenkins (Duff House Royal), won the Scottish senior men's amateur area team championship over the Moray Golf Club Old Course at windswept Lossiemouth today.

Mike was one of only three players in the field to score as low as a one-over-par 72, very good golf in the conditions.

North-east totalled 386 with Jenkins backed up by Aberdeen Links champion and seniors match-play title-holder George Paterson (Northern) and former Walker Cup player Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead), both on 76, John Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) and Andrew Laird (Deeside), both with 81s.

Only five scores from each six-man team counted. Francis Clark (Royal Aberdeen) had North-east's discarded, a score that any of the other areas would have gladly accepted.

It certainly was not a walk-over for North-east who had only two shots to spare at the death from both Glasgow and South of Scotland, each with 388.

The countback placed Glasgow officially second by virtue of their discarded score, 86, being better than South's discarded score, 90.

Glasgow's scorers were: Alistair McMillan (Williamwood) 74, Graham Cox (Pollok) and Peter Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), both 76, John McDonald (Cowglen) 79 and John Shand (Cowglen) 83. Jim McNally (Williamwood) had the non-counting 86 which did, in fact, decide that Glasgow finished runners-up.

South's scorers were: Ian Fraser (Dumfries & Co) 72, Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 73, Tom Carson (Lockerbie) 79, Geroge Rodaks (Moffat) and Robbie Nairn (Lochmaben), both 82, Gordon Doig (Southerness) had a non-counting 90.

Ian Jean (Milngavie & Dunbartonshire) was the third player to share the individual honours with Mike Jenkins and Ian Fraser on the 72 mark.

TOTALS

386 NORTH-EAST: Mike Jenkins 72, George Paterson 76, Sandy Pirie 76, John Johnston 81, Andrew Laird 81. Non-counting: Francis Clark 82.

388 GLASGOW: Alistair McMillan 74, Graham Cox 76, Peter Jamieson 76, John McDonald 79, John Shand 83. Non-counting: Jim McNally 86; SOUTH OF SCOTLAND: Ian Fraser 72, Ian Brotherston 73, Tom Carson 79, George Rodaks 82, Robbie Nairn 82. Non-counting: Gordon Doig 90.

389 DUNBARTONSHIRE.

393 LOTHIANS.

395 STIRLINGSHIRE

404 NORTH.

406 PERTH & KINROSS

423 AYRSHIRE.

Scotland's team for the Senior Home

Internationals at Westport, Ireland

FROM THE WESTPORT GOLF CLUB, IRELAND WEBSITE

The Scotland team for the senior home internationals at Westport Golf Club from September 28 to October 1 is

Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth)

Hutcheon, pictured, is a local legend in Angus and he has always played out of Monifieth during an illustrious career which saw him win the Scottish Amateur Championship and represent GB & Ireland in the Walker Cup. Led after the first round of the Scottish Senior Championship back in May, but eventually finished runner up to David Lane (Goring & Streatley). Ian won the East of Scotland Strokeplay on his home course earlier this year. At the Europeans he had the best strokeplay team total but was beaten 5/4 in the ¼ finals by Bob Bäckstedt.
Gordon MacDonald (Callander)

In the domestic season, Gordon showed some early season form. He had a number of podium finishes, including a runner up spot behind Bob Stewart in the Spring Open at Glasgow Golf Club, Gailes, but never got first passed the post. Had a solid stroke-play experience in the Europeans but came up short in the ¼ final, losing 2/1 to Thomas Persson.
John Fraser (Royal Burgess)

Fraser, a one-time leading shinty player, has being the Mr. Consistency of senior Scottish golf this season. He had a 4th in the South of Scotland and two podium finishes in the Spring Open and in the Scottish Seniors. Another player who was solid enough in the strokeplay section of the Europeans and had an exciting 1 hole victory over Göran Thenfors. That victory set up the ¼ final at 2 games all, thus proving that Fraser is the man for the pressure situation.
Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead)

Sandy will be content with his season to date. With a 4th in the Spring Open followed by two top 10 finishes in the Senior Amateur and East of Scotland he was certain to travel to Switzerland for the Europeans. Had a very poor opening round in the strokeplay but recovered well and played in the decisive ¼ final “rubber”. It what must have being a very tense game he just came up short losing by 1 hole to Hans Bäckström. A member of the GB&I Walker Cup team in 1967.
Bob Stewart (Tulliallan)

Like all golfers, as soon as the Masters is over at Augusta the pressure is on to get your first win. Bob was out off the blocks straight away,winning the Scottish Spring Open. A 5th place in the North and an early exit in the Scottish matchplay soon followed. A pair of 75s was secured in the strokeplay in Switzerland and it was decided to ask Bob to play in the opening game; the foursomes. Facing defeat having lost game 2 & 3, Bob and playing partner George Paterson grabbed victory on the 19th and kept the match alive. At the end of season Order of Merit Finals Day, Bob was joint 1st with George Rodaks.
George Paterson (Northern).

As Scottish Senior Scottish Matchplay champion Paterson always looked to be a guaranteed pick for Switzerland. George secured his title with a 3&2 victory over David J. Miller at Newmacher Golf Club. Two 77s saw George selected for the foursomes in the Europeans which turned out to be a successful move as highlighted above. Clinched the Scottish Seniors Order of Merit title with a high finish in the Order of Merit shoot-out at Blairgowrie last week.
Derek Murphy (Kinross).

Murphy is the new man travelling to Ireland’s tidiest town. A number of top 10 finishes in the Central, West & North Senior Opens clearly flagged him to the selectors. An early exit in the Scottish Matchplay obviously didn’t cause them too much concern.

Fifth place finish puts Sam Torrance in

the hunt for Senior Order of Merit title

BY RODDY WILLIAMS, European Tour senior press officer
Sam Torrance moved within a whisker of the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit after a fifth place finish behind winner Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe in the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters at Woburn Golf Club today.
Torrance now trails Order of Merit leader Mark McNulty of Ireland by just €261 (£129) with only three events remaining of the season after overtaking Ian Woosnam in the race to finish No 1.
A final round of 69, where he birdied the last, lifted Torrance 11 places to fifth and while it was not quite enough to claim pole position, he has thrown down the gauntlet to last year’s No 1, Woosnam, as the Scot looks to regain the Order of Merit crown he won in 2005 and 2006.
“He’s got to come and catch me now,” said the former Ryder Cup captain from Ayrshire. “It will be interesting run in to the end of the season. I was just thinking shoot as low as I could. I knew that putt on the last was important. Good job done.
“I just want to put Woosie in his place that’s all,” he joked. “It was great for Woosie to win it in his first year out, I just really want to win it again. I’ll be playing every event now. The next event in the Czech Republic is huge. That’s the one to win. Win that and it could all be over.”
While Torrance was looking ahead to the rest of the season, Johnstone, once told he would never play golf again after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, was savouring the moment.
It was his second win since undergoing a revolutionary new treatment for the condition which affects the central nervous system, following his previous success in Jersey last year and he did it the hard way, overcoming a four stroke deficit to win by one.
A brilliant final round of six under par 66 proved too good for overnight leader Peter Senior of Australia, who closed with a 71.
While putt after putt dropped into the hole for Johnstone, Senior’s broomhandle putter went cold and the gap was gradually closed. A seventh birdie of the day on the 17th finally gave Johnstone the lead and a hole later he tapped in a par putt for a winning ten under par total of 206.
It was a first victory over the magnificent Duke’s Course at Woburn for Johnstone after a number of near-misses over the years, notably in the 1992 British Masters to Christy O’Connor Jnr when he lost a play-off.
“I have always had this feeling inside me that one day I would win a tournament round here,” he said. “I have lost a play-off and had a couple of seconds and thirds. From the first time I ever played this course it has been one of my four favourites anywhere in the world and to win around here is just wonderful.
“Pete played really well, but his putter went cold which is unusual for him as he uses that broomhandle like a wand normally. And unfortunately mine was seriously hot today. I just putted the eyes out of it. It is a lovely feeling to be doing that again. It’s a great feeling.”
It was also the perfect send-off for Johnstone who hosts the MS Society Pro-Am at Sunningdale tomorrow to raise funds for a cause so close to his heart.
“Jersey was ultra-special as it was my first win after having treatment for MS but I am not too disappointed with this one, in fact I am ecstatic. It is ideal timing with the Pro-Am tomorrow. Everything has just come together this week and it is wonderful.
“I have played well all season and particularly putted well all season. I have gone back to using a bullseye putter and that jab of mine. Once the putter starts working you get the belief and once you have the belief, what can hold you back.”
Senior looked odds on to win in only his second start since turning 50 at the end of July but it wasn’t to be his day.
“I played pretty well, hit 18 greens in regulation and you can’t do any better than that but I just putted probably as bad as I have ever putted,” he said. “I had chances coming in but had nothing on the greens at all. But I played well all week and I’ll look forward to the next one. Tony holed the putts and that is what you have to do in this game.”
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
206 T Johnstone (Zim) 69 71 66
207 P Senior (Aus) 69 67 71
211 J Rivero (Esp) 72 70 69
213 C Williams (RSA) 75 67 71
214 S Torrance (Sco) 71 74 69
215 B Longmuir (Sco) 70 76 69, D Merriman (Aus) 72 69 74, M Clayton (Aus) 72 71 72, D Hospital (Esp) 70 73 72
216 M Piñero (Esp) 73 72 71, J Bruner (USA) 74 72 70, N Job (Eng) 78 70 68
217 C Rocca (Ita) 69 75 73
218 G Brand (Eng) 72 71 75, B Cameron (Eng) 75 73 70,
219 L Carbonetti (Arg) 74 71 74, B Smit (RSA) 73 74 72, M Farry (Fra) 74 75 70, G Encina (Chi) 70 73 76, A Franco (Par) 71 71 77
220 B Boyd (USA) 78 70 72, H Carbonetti (Arg) 75 73 72, S Ginn (Aus) 73 74 73, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 74 74 72, J Heggarty (NIr) 72 72 76
221 E Rodriguez (Esp) 73 71 77, S Bennett (Eng) 75 76 70, A Murray (Eng) 71 76 74, M Harwood (Aus) 70 77 74
222 M Cunning (USA) 76 74 72, T Gale (Aus) 77 74 71, G Ralph (Eng) 76 72 74, D Good (Aus) 72 79 71, R Drummond (Sco) 74 74 74
223 A Fernandez (Chi) 72 73 78, P Oakley (USA) 77 72 74, P Mitchell (Eng) 76 73 74, J Quiros (Esp) 73 76 74, J Rhodes (Eng) 75 72 76, I Woosnam (Wal) 75 69 79, D Smyth (Irl) 76 75 72, G Brand Jnr (Sco) 75 69 79
224 S Owen (Nzl) 77 72 75, T Allen (Eng) 80 74 70, M Williams (Zim) 76 76 72, D Durnian (Eng) 77 73 74, E Darcy (Irl) 74 78 72
225 D Russell (Eng) 74 77 74, D Johnson (USA) 76 73 76, J Hoskison (Eng) 75 76 74
226 P Barber (Eng) 76 73 77, B Lincoln (RSA) 76 70 80, A Garrido (Esp) 72 76 78
227 J Chillas (Sco) 78 76 73, A Barrera (Arg) 79 75 73, P Allan (Eng) 77 75 75
228 R Chapman (Eng) 77 76 75, M Miller (Sco) 72 82 74, D Cambridge (Jam) 78 76 74, J Hawkes (RSA) 80 73 75
229 J Bland (RSA) 82 74 73
230 T Giedeon (Ger) 83 78 69, G Towne (USA) 76 76 78, K Spurgeon (Eng) 82 76 72,
231 E Polland (NIr) 83 76 72
233 N Ratcliffe (Aus) 82 72 79,
235 M Bembridge (Eng) 82 78 75,
237 I Mosey (Eng) 81 79 77,
239 T Charnley (Eng) 78 78 83, M Poxon (Eng) 79 82 78,
241 V Garcia (Esp) 82 79 80, J Hall (Eng) 80 83 78,
Disqualified: C Mason (Eng) 75 77 DQ,

Miller has his senior moments as he reaches semi-finals Kilmarnock Barassie member David J Miller had a superb day in the Scottish senior men's amateur match-play golf championship over Newmachar Golf Club's Hawkshill course today. The 55-year-old fourth best qualifier was two under par in his morning second-round 5 and 4 win over Brian Christie (Wilton) and then four under par in beating the winner of the inaugural championship last year, Ronnie Maclean (Hamilton) by 4 and 2. Miller now meets 61-year-old Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS), conqueror of top seed Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) by one hole before he despatched Robert Jack (Liberton) by 2 and 1 to reach the last four. In the lower half of the draw, No 2 seed and captain of the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society, Gordon MacDonald (Callander) was beaten 2 and 1 by 58-year-old Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) who went on to beat Anglo-Scot Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) by 4 and 3 to reach the semi-finals. Taylor now plays the last surviving North-east hope, George Paterson from the Aberdeen Northern club. George, 57, beat John Broadfoot (Turnberry) by one hole and then scored a 2 and 1 win over Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross). The semi-finals start at 9.30 and 9.45 with the final teeing off at 2.30pm. RESULTS SECOND ROUND Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) bt Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 1 hole. Robert Jack (Liberton) bt Andrew Laird (Deeside) 2 and 1. David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Brian Christie (Wilton) 5 and 4. Ronnie Maclean (Hamilton) bt Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 2 and 1. == Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) bt Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 2 and 1. Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) bt Derek Murphy (Kinross) at 21st George Paterson (Northern) bt John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 1 hole. Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross) bt David Downie (Kirriemuir) 2 and 1. QUARTER-FINALS Ellis bt Jack 2 and 1. Miller bt Maclean 4 and 2. Taylor bt McCart 4 and 3. Paterson bt Gill 2 and 1.

Broadfoot gives Iain Stewart the boot

from the Scottish seniors' match-play

On a miserable day of rain, the form book worked out pretty well in the 16 first-round ties of the Scottish senior men’s amateur match-play golf championship over the Dave Thomas-designed Hawkshill course at Newmachar Golf Club, near Aberdeen.
The major upset was the defeat of No 3 seed Iain Stewart (Curragh) by John Broadfoot (Turnberry) who was No 30 of the 32 qualifiers from the opening 36-hole stroke-play eliminator.
Broadfoot won by two holes.
The rest of the top seven seeds survived with varying degrees of comfort but No 8, David Bunker from Nairn Dunbar went down at the 19th to the 25th qualifier, Andrew Laird of Deeside.
Top seed Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) did not have as easy a passage as he might have expected against the last of the 32 qualifiers from the opening 36-hole stroke-play eliminator.
He had to go to the 18th green before he prevailed by one hole over Bill Methven (Royal Aberdeen).
No 2 seed Gordon MacDonald, a former Scottish and Spanish seniors champion from Callander, had one of the biggest wins of the day. He won by 5 and 4 against Keith Howie (West Kilbride), his right-hand man in the setting up of the over-55s domestic circuit last year.
The winner of the inaugural Scottish seniors match-play championship - Ronnie MacLean (Hamilton), qualified only in 21st place and he squeezed through at the 21st against No 12 qualifier Keith Bruce (Edzell) in his first round tie.
On Thursday morning MacLean players former Walker Cup player Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead), the No 5 seed, for a place in the quarter-finals. Pirie, who knows the course well, was a 4 and 3 winner over the No 28 qualifier, Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen).
There will be morning and afternoon play on Thursday with the second round and then the quarter-finals.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) bt Bill Methven (Royal Aberdeen) 1 hole.
Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) bt Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) 4 and 3.
Andrew Laird (Deeside) bt David Bunker (Nairn Dunbar) at 19th.
Robert Jack (Liberton) bt John Hamilton (Murcar Links) 3 and 2.
David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) w.o. Keith Hay (Westhill) scr.
Brian Christie (Wilton) bt Sandy Fairweather (Caledonian) 5 and 4.
Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) bt Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen) 4 and 3.
Ronald MacLean (Hamilton) bt Keith Bruce (Edzell) at 21st.

Gordon MacDonald (Callander) bt Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 5 and 4.
Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) bt Alex Ritchie (Bothwell Castle) 5 and 3.
Derek Murphy (Kinross) bt Alan Nelson (Banchory) 3 and 2.
Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) bt David A Millar (St Andrews New) 5 and 4.
John Broadfoot (Tunrberry) bt Iain Stewart (Curragh) 2 holes.
George Paterson (Northern) bt Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 2 and 1.
David Downie (Kirriemuir) bt Patrick Tomisson (Nairn) 4 and 3.
Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross) bt Andrew Campbell (Kinross) 2 holes.

Surprise move in Scottish seniors match-play

Rodaks bows out at Newmachar even though

he would have been fourth qualifier

Last week’s North of Scotland Seniors Open winner and first round leader at Newmachar this week, Moffat’s George Rodaks had the fourth best 36-hole qualifying aggregate today – but surprisingly he has bowed out of the Scottish senior men’s amateur match-play golf championship.
Apparently the in-form 60-year-old Borders player, knew he had a prior commitment in Ireland later this week, which meant he could only play in the stroke-play qualifying rounds.
Which poses the question: Why did he bother entering the championship in the first place?
Rodaks had rounds of 72 and 80 for 152. That total was bettered by only three men – No 1 seed Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) with 76 and 73 for 149, and two men on 150, Gordon MacDonald (Callander) and Clydebank-born but Ireland-based Iain Stewart (Curragh).
MacDonbald scored 74 and 76, Iain Stewart 73 and 77.
MacDonald’s lower second round earned him the No 2 seed spot.

QUALIFIERS
Par 144 (2x72). CSS 74 74.
149 Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 76 73.
150 Gordon MacDonald (Callander) 74 76, Iain Stewart (Curragh) 73 77.
153 David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) 78 75, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 77 76, David Downie (Kirriemuir) 76 77, Derek Murphy (Kinross) 75 78, David Bunker (Nairn Dunbar) 75 78, Robert Jack (Liberton) 74 79.
154 Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) 77 77, Andrew Campbell (Kinross) 77 77, Keith Bruce (Edzell) 75 79.
155 Sandy Fairweather (Caledonian) 78 77, Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 76 79.
156 Alex Ritchie (Bothwell Castle) 79 77, Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) 76 80, Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) 76 80, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 73 83.
157 George Paterson (Northern) 81 76, Brian Christie (Wilton) 77 80.
158 Ronald MacLean (Hamilton) 79 79, Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross) 76 82.
159 David A Millar (St Andrews New) 78 81.
160 John Hamilton (Murcar Links) 80 80, Andrew Laird (Deeside) 79 81.
161 Alan Nelson (Banchory) 80 81.
162 Patrick Tomisson (Nairn 79 83.
163 Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen) 81 82.
164 Keith Hay (Westhill) 79 85.
165 John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 84 81, Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 80 85.
166 Bill Methven (Royal Aberdeen) 83 83.
Withdrew: 152 George Rodaks (Moffat) 72 80.
Non-qualifiers included:
167 Francis Clark (Royal Aberdeen) 83 84, John Russell (Monarch Dunes) 83 84.
169 Brian Grieve (King James VI) 85 84, Gordon Gray (Newmachar) 86 83.
172 John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 87 85.
175 Colin Moir (Worksop) 85 90.

FIRST ROUND MATCH-PLAY DRAW
(10min intervals)
9.30am Bob Stewart v Bill Methven, Stephen Ellis v Alistair Fiddes, David Bunker v Andrew Laird.
10.0 Robert Jack v John Hamilton, David J Miller v Keith Hay, Sandy Fairweather v Brian Christie.
10.30 Sandy Pirie v Les Fowler, Keith Bruce v Ronald MacLean, Gordon MacDonald v Keith Howie.
11.0 Alex Ritchie v Ian Taylor, Derek Murphy v Alan Nelson, Donald McCart v David A Miller.
11.30 Iain Stewart v John Broadfoot, Michael Jenkins v George Paterson, David Downie v Patrick Tomisson.
12.0 Andrew Campbell v Robert Gill.
THURSDAY
Second round ties from 9.30am to 12 noon.
Quarter-finals at 1.30, 1.38, 1.46 & 1.54.
FRIDAY
Semi-finals at 9.30 & 9.45.
Final - 2.30

Scottish senior men's amateur championship

BY GEORGE! RODAKS CONTINUES IN GOOD FORM AT NEWMACHAR Moffat's George Rodaks, 60-year-old winner of last week's North of Scotland Seniors Open title, carried on at Newmachar Golf Club today in the Scottish senior men's amateur championship where he left off at Nairn Dunbar. In the first of two qualifying rounds to produce 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages, George matched the par of 72 over the Dave Thomas-designed Hawkshill course. The tree-lined fairways can cause problems to visitors, but his driving was equal to the accuracy test. Clydebank-born Iain Stewart, entered from Curragh Golf Club, Co Kildare in Ireland and another who played well at Nairn Dunbar, shot a 73 for joint second place overnight with Edinburgh's Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess). On the 74 mark are Scottish Senior Golfing Society captain Gordon MacDonald (Callander), the man who got the domestic circuit for over-55s off the ground last year, and Robert Jack (Liberton). Bob Stewart (Tulliallan), winner of the Scottish senior open amateur stroke play title at Elgin last year - when he beat Iain Stewart in a play-off, is back on the 76 mark. After the first qualifying round there are 31 players at 81 or better. FIRST ROUND SCORES Par 72. CSS 74 72 George Rodaks (Moffat). 73 Iain Stewart (Curragh), Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess). 74 Gordon MacDonald (Callander), Robert Jack (Liberton). 75 Derek Murphy (Kinross), David Bunker (Nairn Dunbar), Keith Bruce (Edzell).. 76 Alistair Fiddes (Deeside), David Downie (Kirriemuir), Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross), Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS), Bob Stewart (Tulliallan). 77 Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead), Brian Christie (Wilton), Andrew Campbell (Kinross), Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest). 78 Sandy Fairweather (Caledonian), David A Millar (St Andrews New), Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal), David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).. 79 Keith Hay (Westhill), Andrew Laird (Deeside), Alex Ritchie (Bothwell Castle), Patrick Tomisson (Nairn), Ronnie MacLean (Hamilton). 80 Keith Howie (West Kilbride), John Hamilton (Murcar Links), Alan Nelson (Banchory).. 81 George Paterson (Northern), Les Fowler (Royal Aberdeen). 83 Bill Methven (Royal Abedeen), John Russell (Monarch Dunes), Francis Clark (Royal Aberdeen).. 84 Albert Milne (Duff House Royal), Bert Nicholson (Royal Dornoch), Charles Brown (Frilford Heath), John Broadfoot (Turnberry). 85 Brian Grieve (King James VI), Colin Moir (Worksop), George Wallace (Cruden Bay). 86 Gordon Gray (Newmachar). 87 John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen), Trevor Bennett (Great Barr). 89 Michael Mather (Ballater). 91 John Kinsella (Braemar). 93 David Wilson (Duff House Royoal). 94 Fraser Sharp (Boat of Garten).

Graham Burroughs and Robert Hubbard win

play-off climax to PGA Super 60s' event

FROM THE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
Long-serving Boyce Hill (near Southend) professional Graham Burroughs capped his 35th year at the Essex club by claiming the PGA Super 60s title with the assistance of amateur partner Robert Hubbard.
A year after finishing second, Burroughs made a step up the top of the podium - but only after two extra holes of a sudden death play-off against former Teignmouth professional Peter Ward and his partner Ian Turner after both pairs tied at 11-under-par at Worcestershire's famed Blackwell Golf Club.
Ward ensured their would be the need for a play-off after sinking a tricky four-four putt at the last to card a second round six-under-par 64, one shot shy off the best of the week 63 by Burroughs and Hubbard, who began the day two shots behind the leaders.
After regrouping, both professionals parred the first play-hole, the par four first, before Burroughs claimed victory at the par three second, tapping in for par after his birdie effort lipped out having landed his tee shot just five feet from the pin.
It capped an impressive day for Burroughs and Hubbard, both former school friends, and went part way towards the disappointment of being second 12 months earlier.
"Nothing can really make up for last year but it really is such a nice thing to win," said Burroughs.
"Robert played well and it was a shame for the others to lose, but I am very pleased to have won.
"We dovetailed really well, I had a few birdies and Robert used his shots well. The last hole was the one that saved our bacon as I hit my second shot in the bunker but got it up and down, which helped.
"It was then an anxious wait and we were hoping there wouldn't be a play-off then Peter sunk his putt to draw level, so it was a very nice when we eventually won."
It was a unique experience for 61-year-old Hubbard, who savoured his two day in the heat of battle with the professionals.
"Graham played great and held it together making that par to win, which was great and I just feel elated," he said.
"Playing with the pros at this level you see how they play and so when you do something nice and come in when you can, it's fantastic.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience as I've never been involved in anything like this before."
As for the vanquished Ward, who added a 64 to the opening day 65 with Turner, he attempted to take the positives out of the play-off defeat.
"I'm disappointed but I went round in 66 and played really good to be in my first play-off for a good few years," he said.
"I had a feeling when I was the 18th the putt would get us in the play-off and it was good to see it go in.
"Despite losing, this has been a good week. I haven't played an awful lot as I've been in France for the past five years so I really enjoyed the competition. This was the first opportunity I've had to play in it as I was in France last year when I became eligible."
Royal Guernsey's Norman Wood and amateur Steve Wild compiled a second round 65 to claim third place at seven-under-par 133, with 2007 champions Iain Clark and partner Colin Day fourth at five-under-par.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 140 (2x70)
129 Graham Burroughs (Boyce Hill) & amateur Robert Hubbard 66 63 (£1,250 to pro).
129 (btn at 2nd hole of play-off) Peter Ward (unatt) & amateur Ian Turner 65 64 (£1,000 to pro).
133 Norman D Wood (Royal Guernsey) & amateur Steve Wild 68 65 (£800 to pro).
135 Iain Clark (unatt) & amateur Colin Day 66 69 (£650 t0 pro).

BY GEORGE! RODAKS WINS NORTH SENIORS OPEN Moffat's George Rodaks scored his first win of the season on the domestic over-55s' with a come-from-behind swoop to land the North of Scotland Seniors Open championship at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club today. Rodaks had trailed Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County), first-round leader with a 72 but when Brotherston slipped to a 78 for 150, George won the day with rounds of 75 and 74 for 149. Joint second with Brotherston on 150 were Iain Stewart (The Curragh) (78-72) and Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) (78-72). FINAL TOTALS CSS 74 75 149 George Rodaks (Moffat) 75 74. 150 Iain Stewart (The Curragh) 78 72, Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 78 72, Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 72 78. 151 Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 76 75, Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 74 77, Hugh Clunas (Nairn Dunbar) 74 77. 152 Derek Murphy (Kinross) 77 75. 153 Jim Watt (Letham Grange) 78 75. 154 Jalil Aman (Grangemouth) 80 74, Brian Methven (Royal Aberdeen) 78 76, Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) 73 81. 155 John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 78 77, Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 78 77, Keith Bruce (Edzell) 77 78, Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) 75 80.

TRAVELLING MAN BROTHERSTON LEADS

SENIORS AT NAIRN DUNBAR

Dumfries man Ian Brotherston made the long trip north to Nairn well worthwhile by continuing his recent run of good form to lead the North of Scotland Seniors Open after the first round at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club.
Dumfries & County Golf club member Brotherston shot a par-matching 72 - two under the CSS - to lead by one shot from Aberdeen's Alistair Fiddes (Deeside) and by two from Monifieth's Ian Hutcheon, Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal), David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Hugh Clunas (Nairn Dunbar).
First round leaders
Par 72 CSS 74
72 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co).
73 Alistair Fiddes (Deeside).
74 Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal), I C Hutcheon (Monifieth), David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie), Hugh Clunas (Nairn Dunbar).
75 George Rodaks (Moffat), Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest), Aiden Grounds (Falkirk Tryst).
76 Graham Somers (Bon Accord), Bob Stewart (Tulliallan), Tony McIntyre (Lundin).

England senior men carry off European

title for first time in Switzerland

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
England’s over 55 golfers won the European men’s team championship for the first time when they beat Sweden 3-2 in the final at Golf Club Patriziale in Ascona, Switzerland, after overcoming defending champions Ireland in the semi-finals.
Having never finished better than third in previous years, England qualified third after the stroke play stage then faced Spain in the quarter finals, winning 3-2.
The Irish were up next and having come off second best to them in a string of contests, there was an air of determination about the English team. England won the foursomes through Doug Arnold and Chris Reynolds, but after losing the top two singles, new cap Andrew Stracey at the 19th, and Geoff King 3&2, tipped the balance England’s way.
That saw them through to the final against Sweden, who had put out Scotland and Italy. Again, Arnold and Reynolds saw England ahead in the foursomes 3&2, but with two singles again being lost, it was left to Philip Slater and Geoff King to see England to the title.
Slater, from Cheshire, won his match 3&2, while Essex-based King eased home 2&1 to set off English celebrations.
England will now defend the title when they host the European Seniors Team Championships at Fairhaven Golf Club in Lancashire next August.

European senior men's amateur team championship
ASCONA, SWITZERLAND

SEMI-FINALS
Sweden 3, Italy 2
England 3, Ieland 2.

OTHER RESULTS
Scotland 3, Germany 2.
Spain 3 1/2, France 1 1/2

SATURDAY'S MATCHES

Final - Sweden v England.
3rd place play-off - Italy v Ireland.
5th place play-off - Scotland v Spain.
7th place play-off - Germany v France.

Scotland seniors beaten in first match

Scotland qualified in fourth place in the European senior men's amateur team championship at Ascona, Switzerland - but they were beaten 3-2 by Sweden in their first match.
Leading qualifiers Geremany also fell at the first match-play hurlde, beaten 3-2 by eighth qualifiers Italy.
STROKE-PLAY TOTALS
733 Germany.
737 Ireland.
743 England.
747 Scotland.
755 Sweden.
768 Spain.
771 France.
774 Italy.
MATCH-PLAY FIRST ROUND
Italy 3, Germany 2.
Sweden 3, Scotland 2.
England 3, Spain 2.
Ireland 3 1/2, France 1 1/2

SECOND ROUND
Semi-finals
italy 3, Sweden 2.
Ireland 3 1/2, England 1 1/2

Bermudian Vallis wins Senior British Open

Amateur Championship at Prestwick

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ROYAL & ANCIENT
In a closely contested final day's play at Prestwick, 56-year-old Robert Vallis from Bermuda scored a one-over-par 73, for a 54 hole total of 224 to win by two shots from Canada’s Graham Cooke and defending Champion Paul Simson of the USA in the 41st Seniors British Open Amateur Championship.
Irish Seniors champion Maurice Kelly returned a five-over-par 77 to share fourth position with Alloa’s Tony Stafford who had three steady rounds of 76, 76 and 75 (227).
On a final day of fluctuating fortunes for the leading pack Vallis made his move with a one-under back nine, highlighted a by a crucial 24 foot birdie putt on the 17th to take him into the outright lead on eight-over-par.
“Coming from a small island, I have won a few events at home but this is my first significant win. An emotional Vallis explained, “It’s nice to shoot some good scores. It’s hard to believe and down in your hearts of hearts you wonder if you are good enough to do it.”
Vallis earns an exemption for next year’s Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie as well as for next month’s US Seniors Amateur.
“I am delighted to get the chance to play in these events.” Vallis said, “I love links golf, it’s been a great Championship”
Despite leading from the first round, runner up Cooke, saw his hopes of completing a victory thwarted with a damaging inward half as he missed out on the senior title again, having finished second and third in previous years.
Cooke said, “It’s another near miss I think I will drop my putter somewhere over the Atlantic on the way home.” He went onto say, “This is a true, old links course. It’s a great pleasure to play here; I will come back next year with a new putter.”
Title-holder Simson made a spirited defence of the championship, having been well off the pace with an opening 80 but his closing 75 was not quite good enough to secure a third victory.
Joint overnight leader Kelly was disappointed with his performance. A bogey six at the par 5, 7th and another dropped shot at the 8th halted the Irishman’s bid for the title.
“The bogey at the seventh really killed me and from then on it was a struggle, said the 59-year-old from Killeen.
The 2010 Seniors Open Amateur Championship will be played at Walton Heath, 11-13 August.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
224 Robert Vallis (Bermuda) 73 78 73.
226 Paul Simon (US) 80 71 75, Graham Cooke (Canada) 71 79 76.
227 Tony Stafford (Dun Ochil) 76 76 75, Maurice Kelly (Killeen, Ireland) 77 73 77.
231 Richard Umani (US) 76 80 75, John Long (US) 78 76 77.
233 Michael Wigley (E 79 82 2, Robert Broad (Eng) 75 80 78, Rick Woulfe (US) 80 72 81, Adrian Morrow (Ire) 78 74 81, Val Smyth (Ire) 81 75 77.
Selected scores:
234 Peter Lamb (Biggar) 82 78 81, John Johnston (Lanark) 78 80 76.
236 Derek Murphy (Kinross) 81 79 76, Ronald McLean (Hamilton) 79 78 79, David Lane (Goring & Streatley) 78 76 82, George Paterson (Northern) 79 74 83.
237 Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 87 77 73.
238 William Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) 84 73 81.
239 Ronald McLellan (Turnberry) 80 79 80, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 76 76 87, David Downie (Kirriemuir) 76 80 83.
240 George Macgregor (Glencorese) 80 79 81, George Brown (Vale of Leven) 80 78 82.
241 Keith McIntosh (Cardross) 82 79 80, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 79 80 82.

Bob Stewart two behnd leaders in

Senior Open Amateur at Prestwick

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORTS WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
BOB Stewart cemented his place in the upper reaches of the Senior Open Amateur championship leaderboard at Prestwick last night as his bid to bring more silverware back to Kincardine's golfing street stayed on course.
The 58-year-old Tulliallan member posted a four-over 76 on another tough scoring day in Ayrshire for an eight-over aggregate of 152 to sit just two shots behind joint leaders Maurice Kelly and Graham Cooke.
Stewart, whose eventful round included two lost balls as he ran up a double-bogey 6 at the fourth and a triple-bogey 7 at the tenth, won the Scottish Seniors Open crown last season, just weeks before neighbour Callum Macaulay, now a pro on the European Tour, landed the national amateur title.
"It was a great that we had two Scottish champions, not just from the same town but from the same street," said Stewart, who repaired some of the damage with three birdies. "Callum and I practise a lot together and if I'm in the hunt then he'll probably come down and cheer me on." Kelly bolstered his one-over 73 with raking birdie putts from 35-feet at both the fifth and sixth which helped reel in overnight pacesetter Cooke, who sagged to a 79 for his 150 total.
Paul Simson, the defending champion, bounced back from an opening 80 with a tidy 71 for 151 while Tony Stafford, from the Gleneagles club, Dun Ochil, joined Stewart on the 152 mark after a 76.
Aberdonian George Paterson carded a 74 for 153.
*The full article contains 265 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

Mansell finds Prestwick a tough

drive in the windy conditions

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORTSWEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
Nigel Mansell, the former Formula 1 world champion, was given a tough introduction to the old links of Prestwick yesterday in the first round of the Senior Open Amateur championship.
While Canadian Graham Cooke harnessed the testing, windy conditions and posted a battling one-under 71 to set the early pace, Mansell, making his debut in the over-55s amateur major, emerged with a 12-over 84.
The 1992 F1 champion, who won 31 grand prix during his career, has only managed 12 rounds of golf in the past three years due to various commitments and admitted he was simply happy to be involved in the cut-and-thrust of competitive action again. “This was a tough re-introduction to the game but it was great,” said one-handicapper Mansell, who played in the 1988 Australian Open.
“The conditions made it very difficult. I was hitting a seven-iron 100 yards into the wind and that took a bit of getting used to mentally. Prestwick is a course where you need a bit of local knowledge. I need to learn to put the brakes on at some of these holes as I was flying through the greens and getting myself into trouble.”
Early pacesetter Cooke, a three-times Canadian Seniors champion, has finished second and third in the British event over the past two years and the 62-year-old set himself up for another assault on the title with a tidy round highlighted by two birdies on his closing three holes.
Bermuda-based Robert Vallis, fifth in the Scottish Seniors Open at Panmure earlier this season, opened with a 73 while Berkshire’s David Lane, the British champion at nearby Western Gailes in 1998 and the winner of this year’s Scottish event, carded a 78.
He was joined on that mark by Glasgow debutant Peter Jamieson. Defending champion Paul Simson shot an 80.

England field two new caps in European

seniors' team championships

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
England will field two new caps in Andrew Carman (Coventry, Warwickshire) and Andrew Stracey (Littlestone, Kent) in their squad to contest the European men’s seniors team championships at Golf Club Patriziale Ascona in Switzerland from August 11th - 15.
The rest of the six-man line-up is:
Douglas Arnold (Copthorne, Sussex)
Geoff King (West Essex, Essex)
Chris Reynolds (Littlestone, Kent)
Philip Slater (Sandiway, Cheshire).
Both Carman and Stracey are newcomers to the senior ranks, both having passed the 55 age limit in the past year.
Carman was a full England international in 1979 and ’80, playing ten times for his country and later became chairman of England selectors. He made his seniors debut in this year’s English Seniors Championship at Moor Park, finishing third.
Stracey made an explosive start to his over-55s career, winning the Irish Open Seniors at Bangor in his first event before finishing runner-up in the English Championship.
Arnold, 62, has played in every European Seniors Team Championships since its inception in 2006. The Sussex man has won three English Seniors titles, the last in 2006. A gritty competitor, he has also represented England in every Seniors Home Internationals since they were inaugurated in 2002.
King, 65, was capped for the first time in last year’s Seniors Home Internationals in Wales but this will be his first European appearance. The Essex man finished tied fourth in this year’s English Seniors Championship and third in the South East Seniors Qualifying.
Reynolds, 60, is the current English Seniors Champion following his victory at Moor Park last month, having finished runner-up two years ago and third in 2008. The Kent man made his England debut in the 2006 Seniors Home Internationals and has played in the last two European Seniors Team Championships.
Slater, 58, was first capped as a senior in last year’s European Team Championships in Ireland and also played in the Seniors Home Internationals.

New date for NE seniors' championship

The North-east District seniors' championship, washed out at Huntly Golf Club yesterday, will be played over the same course this coming Friday (July 31).

Colin Christy leads seniors by two

with a 69 at Hamilton

Kilmacolm's Colin Christy headed a big field by two strokes with a very good round of two-under-par 69 in the West of Scotland seniors' open amateur stroke-play championship at Hamilton Golf Club today.
His nearest challengers are Gordon MacDonald (Callander), captain of the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society and instigator of the domestic circuit for the over-55s, and David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).
Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co), winner of last week's South of Scotland seniors' tournament, is in a group of six bracketed in joint fourth place on the 72 mark.

LEADING SCORES
First round
Par 71 CSS 72
69 Colin Christy (Kilmacolm).
71 Gordon MacDonald (Callander), David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).
72 David Gardner (Broomieknowe), Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co), Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool), William Brown (Strathaven), Ronald MacLean (Hamilton), Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead).
73 John A Fraser (Royal Burgess), Gordon Thomson (Bearsden), David Imrie (Thornton), Glyn Rees (Fleetwood), Derek Murphy (Kinross).
74 James Kinloch (Cardross).

Ian Brotherston has his senior moment

over home course at Dumfries & Co

Local knowledge paid off for Ian Brotherston today as he led the field with a three-under-par round of 69 at the halfway stage of the South of Scotland Seniors Open at Dumfries & County Golf Club.
Brotherston goes into the final round with a one-shot advantage over James Kinloch (Cardross) and two shots over Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool).

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 69. CSS 69
66 Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co).
67 James Kinloch (Cardross).
68 Graham Brown (Royal Liverpool).
69 Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess), David Fulton (Castle Douglas).
70 Arthur Clark (Dumfries & Co), Michael Currie (The Glen), Dave Gardner (Broomieknowe), Patrick Tomisson (Nairn), Gordon MacDonald (Callander0.
71 David J Miller (Barassie), John Fraser (Royoal Burgess)(, Bob Humble (Kilspindie), Alistair Harkness (Southness), John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen), Bob Stewart (Tulliallan), Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest), Glen Ballantyne.

Lochwinnoch player's 64 wins Renfrewshire

Golf Union senior championship

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION
Kilmacolm Golf Club hosted this year’s Renfrewshire Golf Union’s Senior Championship. There are three age categories and an overall winner who has recorded the best net score.
The large field enjoyed excellence both in terms of the weather and the condition of the course and, once again, the competitors showed that golf is not a sport where advancing years need to be a problem.
The winner of the young seniors category – 55 to 59 – was last year’s runner up, Bobby Blackwood of Cochrane Castle, who was out in an amazing 33 and was harbouring thoughts of entering this year’s Open at Turnberry until he ran up a 10 at the 13th hole and had to settle for a gross 76 – net 70. Alastair Sharp of Renfrew and Douglas Martin of Ranfurly Castle also recorded net 70 but had to settle for smaller cheques.
In the mid group – 60 to 64 – Douglas Crawford of Lochwinnoch had his match secretary rushing to amend his handicap when he birdied the first, went out in 37 and had a two at the seventeenth to record a net 64 – 80 less 16. Graham McKee of Erskine had set a challenging 72 less 5 for a net 67 early in the day but, again, had to settle for second place. John Wilson of Paisley was third.
In the over 65 age category, Bill McCorkell from Greenock, the defending champion, took the trophy home again with a net 66 leaving Peter Dickie of Ranfurly Castle and Tom Whyte of Kilmacolm – both net 67 – to rue the missed putt that cost them the winner’s cheque.
The RGU Seniors Champion for 2009 is Douglas Crawford.
The scratch prize, for those not appearing in the net prize list, went to John Taylor of Paisley with a gross 73.
PICTURES OF THE EVENT WILL BE DISPLAYED LATER WITH THIS ARTICLE - Editor

Stracey poised to complete Irish-

English senior titles double

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Graham Steel and Andrew Stracey stole the show on an eventful second day of the English Seniors Championship.
Stracey is poised for his second seniors title in as many weeks. Steel, champion in 1994 and now aged 74, holed-in-one on the 127-yard tenth hole at Old Fold Manor on his way to a 76 for 154 to receive the biggest cheer of the day.
It leaves him within striking distance of the leaders after Stracey fired a 76 at Moor Park to lead by two strokes on 148.
But he wasn't the only one buying the drinks. Roger Dew from Harpenden Common also 'aced' the 10th in a round of 78 but his overall tally of 167 meant he didn't qualify for the final round. Stracey, from the Littlestone club in Kent, won the Irish Open Seniors at Bangor in what was his maiden seniors championship. He missed the cut in the Scottish Seniors but is on track for another triumph.
“I had a good front nine of 37 but the wheels fell off a little over the final five holes,” he said. “But I’m happy to be a front-runner. I had a five-shot lead in Ireland and I feel comfortable in that position.”
His nearest challengers on 150 are Geoff King from Essex, who matched the par of 71 at Old Fold Manor, and Coventry’s Andrew Carman, who returned 78 over the more difficult Moor Park. King, a seniors international from the West Essex club, was out in 33, three under par, at Old Fold Manor but gave all those shots back in a homeward 38.
“You are never happy with this game and I wanted to come home in 33,” he said. Thinking of tomorrow, he added: “Now I’ve got to find a caddie. I’ll have to talk to the wife and see if she’ll do it. She used to but she sacked me a few years ago.”
Carman, an England international three decades ago, shared the lead overnight after a 72 at Old Fold Manor but he found the High Course at Moor Park a harder nut to crack.
“A lot of people would have said that was the best 78 they’d ever had,” he said. “I felt the scores would be high but I tried to respect the pin positions but that was occasionally impossible. It caught me out on a number of occasions but you just have to keep battling away. However, I’m happy with my position and if I play well tomorrow I’ll be in with a chance.”
For the second successive day the greens at Moor Park proved the biggest talking point with virtually every player falling foul of the tricky borrows and rock-hard surfaces. But as one player said: “They were perfect to putt on but I just wasn’t good enough.”
Of the former champions in the field, Douglas Arnold shot 80 at Moor Park for 156 and said: “The greens were very testing. Unfortunately, good shots were not rewarded while the pin positions were tough. But it is the same for everyone.”
However, one man not complaining was Marshall Newman from Yorkshire, who went round Moor Park in 75 shots, the best of the day over the High Course. That followed an 84 at the ‘more friendly’ Old Fold Manor.
“I suppose I just got lucky,” he said modestly. “I three-putted a couple of times but I managed to par the two difficult par threes which made a big difference. At the 12th my ball finished on the up slope 52 yards from the pin, while I got up-and-down from a bunker at the 18th.
“I set myself a target of 75 which I matched but my playing partners gave me a lot of confidence,” added the four-handicapper from the Moor Allerton club in Leeds.
The cut came at 161 with 66 players qualifying for tomorrow’s final round at Moor Park.
Play starts at 8.30am each day and admission is free. For those unable to attend, live scoring and news updates will available on the Championships Section of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org.

Three share lead in English Senior

Men's Championship

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
A pair of internationals, Chris Reynolds and Andrew Carman, and a potential one in Andrew Stracey, share the lead after a contrasting opening day to the English Men’s Seniors Championship.
All three carded one-over-par 72s at Old Fold Manor where scoring was much easier than at Moor Park, which proved a sterner test, reflected in the returns from the High Course.
Reynolds, an England senior international since 2006, has finished runner-up and third in this championship so has put himself in a position to improve on that.
“I would have taken 72 before the start so I’m happy,” he said. “I kept the ball mostly in play and got out of position on the greens only a couple of times which made it difficult to two putt. The greens were excellent and I had five birdies but looking at the scores, Moor Park will be a different proposition tomorrow.”
Carman, who has only just qualified as a senior following his 55th birthday, was equally happy with his lot. “I played well off the tee where I hit a lot of three-woods and irons,” he said. “I had a practice round at Old Fold a couple of Saturdays ago which paid off. However, I also missed a lot of birdie chances so it could have been a whole lot better.”
Carman, who was an England international in 1979 and ’80 and Chairman of Selectors for five years, felt his seniors debut last week in Ireland was good preparation.
“The greens there were good and that helped a lot,” he added.
Stracey, another newcomer to the seniors game – this is his third over-55s tournament – is a clubmate of Reynolds at Littlestone. His 72 came despite an indifferent start.
“I four-putted the first green which I feel was because the practice putting green was completely different to those on the course,” he said.
“But it is nice to be playing competitive golf again. Between the ages of 40 and 55 you seem to be in the doldrums but everyone is serious about seniors golf.”
Stracey is certainly the man in form. He won the Irish Open Seniors last week and having reached three President's Putter finals, he could be the man to beat. The three front-runners at Old Fold Manor lead by a shot from Stewart King, another seniors international , and by two from the rest of the field.
The best score at Moor Park, where the greens seemed to catch everyone out, was 76 from Robert Head of Brockett Hall. “I putted well but I had a few three putts which is inevitable on those greens,” he said.
“I used to live locally so I know this course pretty well but you can easily come unstuck here where the slopes and borrows are so tricky.”
Play starts at 8.30am each day and admission is free. Live scoring and news updates will available on the Championships Section of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org.

Brora's Ian Hamilton (70) beats

his age with a level-par 69

By ROBIN WILSON
Brora senior golfer Ian Hamilton, who in February attained the age of 70, took little time to dispel his age when in Sunday's May Medal competition at Brora he returned a level par card of 69 to beat his age by one.
After nine holes he was playing above his three handicap with a four over par count of 39 before turning the clock back with a four-birdie sensational inward half of 30. His nett 66 won the Class 1 Section medal.
Hamilton, picture right by courtesy of Robin Wilson, joined Brora from Royal Troon, where he held a scratch handicap, about twenty years ago and after becoming a senior was a member of the double-winning Brora Senior Northern Counties Cup teams of 2003 and 2006. In 1994 he won the North District Seniors' championship.
From 1994 until 2006 he and his wife Sheila combined running the Brora Golf Shop with the Junior Section. Among their many successes with the juniors were Euan Polson (Scottish boys' championship finalist in 2005) and current Scottish Under-16 boys' team captain, Calum Stewart.

George Ryall wins

Senior title by five

from Bill Lockie

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PGA
George Ryall underlined his class at Northants County Golf Club today when he outplayed the rest of the field to win the Senior PGA Club Professional Championship by all of five shots.
In his rookie year as a senior, the 50-year-old from Bristol, having begun the day two strokes ahead of defending champion, Bill Lockie, eventually pulled away, thanks to a rampant inward half which gave up four birdies in five holes from the 12th.
That finally added up to a two-under 68 for an aggregate of 208.
“This win means so much to me, especially in my first year as a senior,” said Ryall. “They’re all my peer group or players whom I’ve looked up to for years.”
Another major benefit is the ‘leg-up’ his victory gives him in gaining access to the European Senior Tour – “That’s where I want to be.”
He’ll now tee up with the top elder statesmen of the Continent’s 50-and-over players at Northumberland’s Slaley Hall in a month’s time in the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.
Lockie, partnering the eventual winner, made a robust defence of his title, taking second place on 213 after a final round of 71. The Scot actually wiped out the two-shot gap after the opening hole, where Ryall went through the back of the green, while Lockie chipped in for a birdie.
But Ryall was unstoppable. After two-putting every green from the second to the 11th, he caught fire, hitting the short 12th to 10 feet and holing, laying a sand iron 20 feet past at the next, again deftly despatched, and then at the short 15th sinking a right-to-left curler that must have been all of 45 feet.
Before caution set in on the remaining two holes, he again watched a birdie putt disappear from 15 feet at the uphill, par-4 16th.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 210 (3x70)
208 George Ryall (Players Club) 73 67 68.
213 Bill Lockie (North Gailes) 72 70 71.
214 Murray White (Penfold Park) 74 69 71.
216 Peter Barber (Didsbury) 73 71 72.
217 John McTear (Mar Hall) 73 72 72.
218 Alan Hemsley (Norfolk) 72 72 74, Donald Stirling (Wien-Sussenbrunn) 68 75 75, Michael Greenough (Ashton & Lea) 70 73 75.
219 Garry Harvey (Kinross Golf) 75 70 74, Peter O'Hagan (PM Corporate) 73 72 74, Mitch Kierstenson (Searle's Leisure) 71 72 76.

Englishman's third Scottish senior amateur championship win

Panmure parade of the prizewinners (left to right): John Fraser, champion David Lane, runner-up Ian Hutcheon, and Andrew Campbell. Image by courtesy of the Scottish Golf Union (Rob Eyton-Jones). Click on it to enlarge.

David Lane holds off last-nine challenge

from Ian Hutcheon at Panmure

David Lane from the Goring & Streatley club near Reading made the long trip up to the Panmure course, near Carnoustie worthwhile when he won the Scottish senior men's open amateur championship for a third time today.
His previous successes came at Glasgow Killermont in 2001 and Scotscraig in 2002. There's no doubt that the Scottish air brings the best out of David. He won the British seniors' open amateur title in 1998 when it was staged over Western Gailes and Glasgow Gailes.
Lane was three shots behind Ian Hutcheon - also a two-time Scottish seniors winner, Alyth in 2004 and Drumpellier in 2007 - after the first round but led by one shot going into today's final round.
Lane's final outward half of 39 gave Hutcheon the chance to draw level with 38 to the turn but the Monifieth maestro bogeyed the 15th and 16th while his English rival reeled off nine straight inward pars for victory with a 74 for nine-over-par 219.
Hutcheon had rounds of 67, 79 and 75 for 221.
Andrew Campbell (Kinross) and former shinty ace John Fraser (Royal Burgess) finished joint third on 223.
Campbell had scores of 75, 76 and 72, Fraser 78 68 and 77. John will be rueing a triple bogey 7 at the eighth in a disastrous outward nine of six-over-par 42. A par at the eighth might have seen him finish at least second.
But that's golf - full of might-have-beens!

Defending champion Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) finished joint 26th.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 210 (3x70) CSS 73 73 73
219 David Lane (Goring & Streatley 70 75 74.
221 Ian C Hutcheon (Moifieth) 67 79 75.
223 Andrew Campbell (Kinross) 75 76 72, John Fraser (Royal Burgess) 78 68 77.
224 David Downie (Kirriemuir) 77 74 73, Stephen Baker (Woodside) 74 74 76, Robert Vallis (Bermuda) 76 70 78.
226 John Johnson (Royal Aberdeen) 78 75 73, Sandy Pirie (Hazlehead) 75 75 76, Philip Sater (Sandiway) 75 74 77.
227 George Payne (Prestbury) 75 76 76, Gordeon MacDonald (Callander) 76 71 80.
228 Paul Crellin (Prenton) 78 77 73.
229 Keith MacBryde (Stone) 74 809 75, Adrian Donkersley (Gerrards Cross) 77 76 76, Glyn Rees (Fleetwood) 74 77 78, Alan Ferguson (Drumpellier) 77 74 78, George Paterson (Northern) 76 73 80.
230 Glyn Hughes (Church Stretton) 74 81 75, Andrew Wight (Glencorse) 73 80 77, Geoffrey King (West Essex) 81 72 77, J Scott Macdonald (Dunfermline) 78 75 77, Tony Patterson (Sunningdale) 76 77 77, Ralph Cowe (Kelso) 76 77 77, John Black (Scotscraig) 74 76 80.
231 Robert Stewart (Tulliallan) 77 76 78, John Baldwin (Sunningdale) 77 74 80.

232 Robert Jack (Liberton) 78 74 80.

233 Richard Campbell (Kinross) 79 76 78, Bill MacIntyre (Harpenden) 77 78 78, Rich Tolly (US) 80 75 78, Aidan Grounds (Falkirk Tryst) 75 79 79, Martyn Temple (US) 76 76 81, Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) 73 78 82, Francis Clark (Royal Aberdeen) 75 75 83.

234 Jim Watt (Edzell) 75 79 80, William Brown (Strathaven) 77 75 82.

235 Norman Swenson (US) 77 77 81.

236 Jonathan Hubbard (Sunningdale) 80 74 82, Robert Gill (Gerrards Cross) 73 79 84.

237 Robert Wallace (Crosland Heath) 78 76 83, Basil Griffiths (Llanymynech) 77 75 85.

239 Colin Halcrow (Windyhill) 75 79 85.

241 Alistair Brett (Northumberland) 81 74 86.