ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Thursday, July 29, 2010

SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Seven Ayrshire players in last 32

Seven Ayrshire players remain in the 2010 Scottish Amateur Championship, being played at Gullane No. 1 this week, as the championship reaches the last 32.

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) was first into the fourth round on Wednesday with a one hole win over Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth) in his third round match. Smyth now faces Michael Watson (Elgin) for a place in the last 16 on Thursday morning.

Following Smyth into the fourth round shortly after was Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) who ousted Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) by 2&1 to set up a fourth round match against the eighth seed, Greg Paterson (St Andrews New).

Former Ayrshire Champion Of Champions title winner Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) had impressive wins in his opening two ties and he continued his run of notable results with a one hole victory over fourth seed, Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) in round 3. Moultrie now takes on John Duff (Newmacher) on Thursday morning in the fourth round.

2009 Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion John Shanks (Irvine)was the first of the remaining Ayrshire players who required to play both second and third round matches on Wednesday and opened with a win over Paul Gault (Westerwood) at the 20th hole in the morning before recording a 2&1 win in the third round against Stewart McCulloch (McDonald). Shanks now plays Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) for a place in the fifth round.

One of two all Ayrshire clashes in the second round featured Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) and Steven McEwan (Caprington) and it was Pennycott who took the honours, winning by 4&2 to set up a third round match against Alan Ross (Deeside). On Wednesday afternoon, Pennycott disposed of Ross by 3&2 and now plays Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) on Thursday morning in round four.

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) could not repeat his march to the quarter finals last year, losing out in round 2 by 4&3 to Myles Cunningham (Craigielaw)

The second of the all Ayrshire ties in round 2 saw Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) defeat Scott Brown (Turnberry) at the first extra hole. In the following tie, Nicky Gold (Bonnyton) beat Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) by one hole and proved to be something of a thorn in the side of the Ayrshire challenge when he defeated Marc Smith at the 20th in their afternoon third round tie.

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) had a 2&1 morning win over Munro Ferries (Tain) in round 2 and a comfortable 5&3 win over Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) in the third round to secure a fourth round match on Thursday morning against Thomas Sharkey (Helensburgh)

The last remaining Ayrshire player in the field was third seed Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) who edged into round 3 with a 20th hole win over Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County). Stewart found himself in trouble in the tie, going three down after ten, but birdies on the 12th and 17th and an eagle at the 15th helped him to level the match where he ousted McClung with a 20-foot putt for par on the 20th to progress.

Stewart had a more comfortable win by 5&3 in the afternoon against Adam Dunton (McDonald), with figures of seven under par for the fifteen holes played, to set up a fourth round match against Kyle Godsman (Hopeman).

Fourth and fifth round matches will take place on Thursday with the quarter finals and semi finals on Friday and the final on Saturday.

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