SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS - Five Ayrshire players make it to the third round

Five of the Ayrshire hopefuls made it through to the third round of the Scottish Amateur Championship at Muirfield, as the remaining second round matches were concluded on Wednesday.

With Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) and John Shanks (Irvine) already through, there were high hopes of more of the ten local playersstill in the championship progressing through the second round ties on Wednesday.

Ayrshire hopes were dented early however, withwith the first six local players in action being defeated.

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) lost by 5&4 to Angus Carrick (Douglas Park), Stephen Spence (Royal Troon) went down by 271 to Kyle Godsman (Moray) whilst Stuart Miller (Kilmanrock Barassie) was edged out by a single hole against Calum Burgess (Musselburgh).

The morning did not improve any when Stuart Easton (Irvine) went down to Scotland internationalist Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) by 2&1, Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost at the third extra hole to Ryan Campbell (Falkirk) and Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) also suffered a single hole defeat agaist Kieran Cantley (Liberton).






Jack McDonald (Kilmanrock Barassie) stemmed the tide of defeat with a 6&5 win over Conor Neil (Mount Ellen) but hopes of an all Ayrshire third round tie were dashed when Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) lost by 3&2 to Colin Riddle (Torwoodlee).










At the foot of the second round draw, James Bunch (Prestwick) boosted the local representation in round three with a 4&3 win over Btyan Fotheringham (Inverness) and when Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Craig Pirrie (Millport) at the first extra hole, an all Ayrshire third round tie between Bunch and Robin was confirmed.


All, third round ties were scheduled to be completed on Wednesday evening.