The first day of the Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Troon on Monday 27th July provided a few shocks, with Ayrshire player and host club member Michael Smyth providing the biggest upset of the day when he ousted one of the seeds and pre tournament favourites, James Byrne (Banchory).
Smyth battled all the way in his match, squaring at the 17th before winning the final hole with a par for a one hole victory.
In the second round, Smyth now faces an all Ayrshire tie against former Ayrshire matchplay title holder Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck), - pictured right -who booked his second round place with a 3 & 1 win over Colin Peddie (Kirkintilloch).
Scottish internationalist Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), another of the seeded players in the championship, crashed out in round one, in what was effectively an all Ayrshire match, when he lost to Paul McKellar (East Renfrewshire). McKellar, who is a member of Royal Troon, ws beaten finalist in the chamioonship the last time it was held at Troon in 1977 as well as in 1979 at Prestwick, and a semi finalist at St. Andrews in 1976. He also reached the final of The Amateur Championship at Troon in 1978. Despite good form recently which saw him help Scotland to a win in the European Team Championship, Stewart was beaten 4 & 3 by McKellar. McKellar now faces Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) in round 2.
In the four matches in the first quarter on Monday involving Ayrshire players, three progressed to round two with only David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) going out by two holes to Jordan McColl (Scotscraig).
Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) beat James Aitken (Alloa) by 3 & 2 and now faces Barry Lindssay (Mount Ellon) in round 2.
2009 Ayrshire Matchplay semi finalist Steven Spence (Irvine) - pictured left -beat barry McDermott (Leven) by 3 & 1 to set up a second round tie against Adam Dunton (McDonald).
Former Ayrshire Boys Champion Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - beat Conor O'Neill (Glasgow) by 3 & 2 and now plays Scott Moffat (Alla) in round 2.
In the second quarter, where Steven Murray and Michael Smyth won through, two of the five other Ayrshire players also secured second round places.
Ayrshire Strokeplay champion John Shanks (Irvine) - pictured left -beat Mark Hilson (Craigielaw) by 2 & 1 and now plays Colin Mundie (Falkirk)
, whilst newly crowned Scottish Boys Strokeplay Champion Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - continued his good form with a one hole vistory over Graeme Noblett (Lenzie) to set up a second round match against Munro Ferries (Tain), who defeated James Bunch (Prestwick) by 3 & 2in their first round match.
, whilst newly crowned Scottish Boys Strokeplay Champion Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - continued his good form with a one hole vistory over Graeme Noblett (Lenzie) to set up a second round match against Munro Ferries (Tain), who defeated James Bunch (Prestwick) by 3 & 2in their first round match.Other first round Ayrshire casualties in the second quarter were Bert Ferguson (Royal Troon) who lost by 3 & 2 to Steven Robertson (Sandyhills) and Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) who went down by 3 & 2 to William Bremner (Edzell).
As well as Stewart's defeat by McKellar, the only other third quarter matche involving an Ayrshire player played on Monday saw former champion Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) lose by one hole to Jack Scott (Deeside).
First round matches in the third and fourth quarter continue on Tuesday as well as second round ties in the first and second quarters.
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