SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Winning start for Stewart in title defence

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) got off to a winning start on Monday at Western Gailes, in his bid to defend the Scottish Amateur Championship title this week.

Stewart had a comfortable 4 & 3 win over David Docherty (Bonnyton) to set up a second round tie on Tuesday afternoon against Scott Moffat (Braehead)

Earlier in the morning the 2008 runner up Stephen McEwan (Caprington) came back from three behind after ten holes to beat Michael Basigalupo (Longniddry) at the first extra hole and now faces an all Ayrshire second round tie on Tuesday against Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck) who went through by 4 & 3 against Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) in round one.

The first Ayrshire player to exit the championship on Monday was John Haggarty (Loudoun) who lost by 6 & 5 to Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth).

Former internationalist Gavin Lawrie (Prestwick St Nicholas) beat Alan Sim (Broomieknowe) by 3 & 2 and now plays Adam Dunton (McDonald) who defeated former Kilmarnock Barassie Captain Robbie Fulker by 2 & 1 in their first round clash.

In the mid morning on Monday, Ayrshire suffered a run of defeats involving players from County clubs.

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) was heavily defeated 8 & 7 by Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) whilst Gordon Boyle (Ayr Dalmilling) had a real battle with former Amateur Champion Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) before losing out by one hole.

Host club member Paul McKellar made an early exit by two holes against Alister Hain, Stephen Spence (Irvine) lost by 5 & 4 to Scotland internationalist Paul Shields (Kirkhill) whilst Dominic Booth (Turnberry) was beaten 2 & 1 by Stuart Roberts (Gullane) and David McLellan (Largs) went down by 3 & 2 against Craig Howie (Peebles).

When Colin Gray (Irvine) lost at the 20th to Gordon Stevenson (Whitecraigs) thisng were looking bad for the Ayrshire representation but Neil Black (Rowallan Castle) stopped the rot with a notable win at the first extra hole over Scotland internationalist Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe).

2010 quarter finalist Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) continued his good form this season with a 4 & 2 win over Marcello Russo (Drumpellier) and now faces Jamie Reid (Cruden Bay) on Wednesday morning in their second round clash.

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) made an early exit this year, going down by 2 & 1 to Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie).

From the later starters, Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) won convincingly by 6 & 5 against Derek Ramsay (Elgin) and now plays Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes) on Wednesday in round two.

Brian Moore (Largs) was a 4 & 3 winner over Christoper Lamb (Newmacher) and now faces former champion and Scotland internationalist David law (Hazelhead) in round two on Wednesday morning.

Kenneth McKaskill (Turnberry Staff) became the first ever representative from his club to compete in the Scottish Amateur Championship on Monday morning, beating the furthest travelled competitor in the event, Daniel Hendry (UAE), by 4 & 3. McKaskill now faces a second round clash on Wednesday with Thomas White (Milnathort) who ended the hopes of Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) with a 2 & 1 victory in round one.

Scotland Boys internationalist Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) had a 4 & 3 win over Ryan Boyle (Bathgate) and now plays on Wednesday in round two against Andrew McKay (Ballmore).

Ther is another all Ayrshire clash in round two on Wednesday with Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon), who beat Ewan Donaldson (Craigielaw) by 5 & 4 in round one, facing Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay), who booked his place in the second round with a 4 & 2 win over Mark Thomson (Grange).

A further 17 Ayrshire players are in first round action on Tuesday before the first of the second round matches get under way in mid afternoon.