SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - 4 Ayrshire players remain for Thursday

The Ayrshire challenge for the 2008 Scottish Amateur Championship, being held at Carnoustie this week, is in the hands of Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Steven McEwan (Caprington), Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) after the other Ayrshire challengers made their exit on Wednesday.


Of the remaining first round ties, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) lost to Ross Kellett (Colville Park) by 3 & 1 whilst Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) negotiated the first round with a 3 & 2 win over Ross McGuire (Dalmahoy) before losing by the same margin in the second round, on Wednesday afternoon, to Gordon Yates (Hilton Park).

Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) had a 2 & 1 first round win over Malcolm Davidson (Craigie Hill) before recording a 4 & 3 win in round 2 against Aaron Howard (Murrayshall)

The last remaining first round tie involving an Ayrshire player saw Ross Dixon (Kilmarnock Barassie) lose by 5 & 3 to Neil McBride (Cowglen).

George Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark) played his second round match on Wednesday, against the 4th seed Gavin dear (Murrayshall) and left the championship after a 2 & 1 defeat. Also out went Robertson's clubmate John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) who lost by 4 & 3 to Philip Mclean (Peterhead).

Despite his extra time win in round 1, Ewan McKinnon (Corrie) lost out in the second round, being beaten 2 holes by Donald Ballantyne (Selkirk).

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) was the victor in the all Ayrshire second round tie, beating John Shanks (Irvine) by one hole, to set up a tie against Scott Borrowman (Dollar) in the next round.

Steven McEwan (Caprington) followed his first round 6 & 5 win by defeating the newly crowned Boys Strokeplay Champion Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) by a similar margin. McEwan then went on to beat Donald Ballantyne (Selkirk) by 5 & 4 to reach round four.

Also through to the fourth round is sixth seed Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) who followed a morning 3 & 2 win over John Goodward (McDonald) with a 5 & 4 win over Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie).

With the championship still playing 'catch up' after weather delays earlier in the week and play suspecded due to bad light at 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the remaining third round matches will hopefully be completed tomorrow, as well as the fourth round ties.

Jamie Mackay's game with Scott Borrowman is still to be completed, with the winner facing either Michael main (Thornton) or Steven Buchan (Royal Aberdeen).

Chris Harkins' game against Wallace Booth (Comrie) is also to be completed, with the winner facing either Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) or Stuart McKendrick (Dunkeld & Birnam) in round 4.

Michael Stewart is due to tee off at 0934 in his fourth round match whilst Steven McEwan plays off at 0942 on Thursday.