SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Six Ayrshire players successful on day one

Six of the eleven Ayrshire players in action on the first day of the 2016 Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen, on Monday 25th July, successfully secured their place in the second round of the competition.

First of the local players in action was David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) who teed off in the second game of the day at 6.53 am against Rikky Alexander (Braehead - Alloa) and he secured his second round place with a 3 & 1 win. In the next round Wilson will play host club player Steven Buchan.

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) was up against George Burns (Williamwood) in match 4, but became the first Ayrshire casualty of the day, going down by 2 & 1.

Mark McMillan (Turnberry) got the better of Cameron Franssen (Inverness), in a tight match which was decided at the first extra hole, and will now play Dan Lawrence (Ballumbie Castle) in the next round.

Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) made an early exit from the championship this year,, losing out by 4 & 3 to Colin Mundie (Glenbervie), whilst Ross McEwan (Troon Welbeck) also lost out by the same score to one of the pre tournament favourites, Barry Hume (Haggs Castle).

A 4 & 3 win over Kevin Dagleish (Portlethen) saw Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) into round two, where he will play Alastair Thurlow (Murrayfield).

Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) staged a great comeback against Shaun Singer (St Andrews), fighting back from two down after ten holes to forge a 2 & 1 victory, and set up a second round match early on Wednesday morning against Neil Melvin (Newmacher).

The biggest winning margin by Ayrshire players on day one were the 5 & 4 victories recorded by Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Stuart Easton (Irvine), against Allan Mckie (Glencruitten) and Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) respectively, with the draw dictating that the two Ayrshire players will meet each other in round two on Wednesday morning.

The other two Ayrshire players who featured in later matches on day one both lost out in their bid for a place in round two. Mark Robertson (Western Gailes) lost by 3 & 2 to Kyle Godsman (Moray) whilst Adrian Orton (Kilmarnock Barassie)went down by 6 & 5 to Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie).

Five more Ayrshire players are scheduled to play their first round matches in the championship on day two, Tuesday 26th July.