SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - 5 Ayrshire players in last 32 of national championship

Ayrshire have five representatives remaining in the last 32 of the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship, being played at Prestwick this week.

In the first quarter matches played on Wednesday, James Bunch (Prestwick) bowed out in round 3, beaten at the 19th by Paul O'Hara (Colville Park).

Steven McEwan (Caprington) - pictured right - is the sole surviving Ayrshire representative in the first quarter, after an exciting victory over Wallace Booth (Comrie). McEwan was two holes behind with two to play before he produced a birdie 3, eagle 2 finish to take the match into extra holes and ultimately winning a tthe 20th. McEwan now plays Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) in the last 32 on Thursday.

In the second quarter, Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured left - won the all Ayrshire third round tie against Kevin Fergusson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) by 2 & 1 and will now play one of the seeds, Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), in the last 32.

Also through to the final 32 is Brown's clubmate, Ross Dixon who defeated another Prestwick St. Cuthbert member, Graeme Gimson, by 4 & 3 in round 3. Gimson had earlier beaten Craig Haugh (Cathkin Braes) by 2& 1 whilst Dixon beat Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) by one hole. Dixon now plays Wilson Bryson (Drumpellier) in the last 32.

The third Ayrshire player remaining in the second quarter is Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion John Shanks (Irvine) - pictured right - whose morning victory by 3 & 1 over Allan Johnston (Bonnyton) was followed with a 3 & 2 win over Fraser McKenna (Balmore) in round 3.

Shanks now faces Chris Heslip (Monifieth) for a place in the last 16.

In the third quarter Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) was overwhelmed by Jonathan King (Glasgow) by 5 & 4 in round 2 to end his hopes. McKnight had earlier beaten Greg Paterson (St. Andrews New) by 3 & 1 in round 2.

Also out in the third quarter went Warren Blair (Troon Portland). After a morning win over Stuart Roberts (Gullane), Blair was defeated 3 & 2 in the afternoon in round 3 by Robert Carson (Dalmahoy).

Steven McBlain (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) won his morning second round match against Barry Scott (Dumfries & Galloway) but in the afternoon he was overwhelmed by Scott Borrowman (Dollar). The Ayrshire player turned after 9 on level par but found himself five down. McBlain delayed the end for a few holes before losing by 6 & 5.

The remaining Ayrshire interest in the third quarter comes from former champion Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) who defeated fellow Ayrshireman Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) by 3 & 2 to book a place in the las 32 against Jonathan King (Glasgow).

Thomson beat Lewis Kirkton (Newmacher) by 1 hole in the morning whilst Moultrie beat Steven Maxwell (Cardross) by 4 & 3 to set up the all Ayrshire third round match.

The third and fourth round matches will be played on Thursday.