SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire players struggle in day two ties

The second day of play in the 2016 Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen, Tuesday 26th July, saw Ayrshire players struggle to maintain local interest in the championship, as all the first round ties and some second round encounters were completed.

In the first game out on Tuesday morning, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) lost on the final green to Angus Carrick (Douglas Park), by a single hole.

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) soon exited the championship also, going down 3 & 2 against Greig Kennedy (Hazlehead).

Fortunes turned in the next two ties involving Ayrshire players, Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) winning by 6 & 5 against Gavin Sutherland (Reay) to set up a second round encounter with Andrew davidson (Charleton), whilst Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) beat mark Hislop (Glenbervie) at the first extra hole to progress to a second round meeting with David Mitchell (Leven Thistle).

The last Ayrshire player in first round action was current Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert), but he suffered an early exit from the event with a 5 & 3 defeat by Rob Paterson (Kilspindie).

Three Ayrshire players were in second round action late on Tuesday but there was no joy for the local players with all three losing their respective matches.

David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) went down by 3 & 2 to Steven Buchan (Royal Aberdeen), Mark McMillan (Turnberry) lost by 2 & 1 to Dan Lawrence (Ballumbie Castle) whilst Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert lost out to Alastair Thurlow (Murrayfield) by the same margin.

Ben Ferguson

The only bright spot for Ayrshire on Tuesday afternoon was the performance of Turnberry member Ben Ferguson, who playes at The Vines, Western Australia, who followed up a 3 & 2 first round win over Declan Addison (Peterhead) with a 2 hole victory over Christopher Lamb (Newmacher) in the second round.

The five Ayrshire players still in the championship are scheduled to complete their second round ties on Wednesday morning before all the third round matches, which are due for completion by close of play on Wednesday.