KirkwoodGolf

Monday, April 09, 2007


THREE SEEDS MAKE EARLY EXIT,
BUT BYRNE AND SMITH WIN

There are no official seeded players in the week-long Scottish boys' match-play championship with started in windy conditions at Dunbar today.
But you can take Scottishgolfview.com's word for it that three players who were earmarked as potential quarter-finalists made an early exit - Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen), pictured right, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) and Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo).
Banchory's James Byrne, the unofficial top seed - he has the lowest handicap in the field, made a solid start with a 2 and 1 win over James Ross (Royal Burgess) who did well to take his international opponent to the 17th green.
Byrne will start a four-year golf scholarship at Arizona State University in August. Last year he became the youngest winner of an SGU Order of Merit 72-hole tournament, the Newlands Trophy at Lanark. He is almost certainly the only boy in the Dunbar field who has his own website.
Kyle Smith (Barassie) was the second seed to progress to the second round. He beat David Millar (Newmachar) by 4 and 3.
Scott Fraser was the first seeded player to be beaten. He lost by 6 and 4 to Paull Ferrier from the Baberton club, Edinburgh.
OLIVER A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Later Cameron Gray met his match in Oliver Huish (The Glen), whose professional father David once led the Open championship field at the halfway stage (Carnoustie, 1975). Oliver won the tie against Cameron by 4 and 2.
Tom Spencer went out to Crieff's Jack Thow who edged a tight one by a single hole.
The three "seeds" who were not in action today - Sam McLaren (King James VI), Michael Main (Thornton) and Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) - will come into the thick of things on Tuesday.
Two unfinished Monday ties will resume very early on Tuesday morning. Sean Thompson (St Andrews) and Fraser Moore (Falkirk) Tryst were all square after 18 holes when bad light stopped play.
Ryan Penny (Portlethen) was one up on Justin Coyne (Cowglen) after 16 holes when they too were called in because it was too dark to continue.

Log on to www.scottishgolfview.com to read all Monday's results.

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