VIKKI LAING LEADS ON A DAY OF VERY GOOD SCORING AT PAUL LAWRIE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

                    CHARLOTTE AUSTWICK, the only amateur in the field

Driving force ... Vikki Laing on the 10th tee at Marriott Dalmahoy  today. Picture by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
It was cold at Marriott Dalmahoy's East Course today - but the scoring was red hot at the top of the first-round leaderboard of the Paul Lawrie Scottish Ladies Open Tour.
Over a course playing every inch of its 6,083yd, Musselburgh's Vikki Laing took the halfway honours with a six-under-par 68 - the lowest score in relation to par recorded by anyone over the 14 events for lady professionals single-figure handicap female amateurs.
But that brilliant effort by the former Curtis Cup player and record-setting Scottish girls champion did not give her a commanding lead. Anything but.
Breathing down her neck going into the second round over the shorter West Course at Dalmahoy tomorrow are two other GB and I internationals in their amateur days - Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) and Heather Stirling (Dairsie) who both returned 69s.
And there was a fourth player with a sub-par score, Yorkshire amateur Charlotte Austwick (Fulford) who had a 73.
Two other players, Daisie Dyer, who made the 8hr journey north from Essex, and Pamela Feggans from Doon Valley, Ayrshire, matched the par of 74. 
The opening event of the Paul Lawrie Tour was also played at Marriott Dalmahoy back in April.
"I hit the ball well off the tee and that helps a lot," said Laing who had birdies at the four par-5 holes, the first, 10th, 16th and 18th, as well as 3s at the par-4 fifth and 11th, and a 2 at the short seventh in halves of 33 (three under par) and 35 (also three under).
Her only bogey came at the 12th.
"I'd have to say that was my best round of the season," said Vikki.
MacRae, a former British women's amateur stroke-play champion at Nairn, had an eagle 3 at the long 16th and birdies at the first, second, fifth, 10th and 14th with bogeys at the third and fifth in halves of 34 and 35.
"I can hardly believe the improvement in the condition of the East Course in the months since we were here at the start of the season. It was in tip-top condition which made it a pleasure to play, even though it was very cold and there was a swirling wind." 
Three of Stirling's six birdies came at short holes - the fourth, seventh and 17th. Her other sub-par figures were achieved at the second, 10th and 14th in halves of 34 and 35. She had one bogey, at the third.
Heather Stirling, by the way, plays right handed but putts LEFT-handed. 
There's a splendid new trophy and a cheque for £1,200 awaiting the winner at the end of 36 holes. The Order of Merit winner - Heather Stirling is in the pole position but double points are at stake in this concluding fixtures - will win an all expenses paid trip to the Ladies European Tour Q School in Morocco in December.

PAUL LAWRIE SCOTTISH LADIES OPEN TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Marriott Dalmahoy East Course
FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 74 (36-38)
68 Vikki Laing (Musselburgh) 33-35.
69 Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) 34-35, Heather Stirling (Dairsie) 34-35
73 Charlotte Austwick (Fulford) (am) 37-36.
74 Daisy Dyer (Chigwell) 36-38, Pamela Feggans (Doon Valley) 37-37.
75 Martine Pow (Selkirk) 36-39, Laura Murray (Paul Lawrie GC) 39-36, Katy McNicoll (Carnoustie) 37-38
76 Kiran Matharu (Leeds) 38-38, Laura Harvey (Darlington) 36-40, Lisa Shervill (2doSport) 37-39.
77 Michele Thomson (Ellon) 40-37.
80 Gemma Webster (Elie SC) 41-39
82 Jane Turner (Penicuik) 39-43.
84 Abbey Gittings (Walmley) 40-44.

SECOND-ROUND TEE TIMES FRIDAY 
OVER DALMAHOY WEST COURSE
 Spectators will be made very welcome. 
No admission fee; no car park charge. Please come
along and give tomorrow's stars YOUR support today.

9:40 AM	Jane Turner, Abbey Gittings
9:50 AM	Michele Thomson, Gemma Webster
10:00 AM	Laura Harvey, Kiran Matharu, Lisa Shervill
10:10 AM	Katy McNicoll, Laura Murray, Martine Pow
10:20 AM	Charlotte Austwick, Daisy Dyer, Pamela Feggans
10:30 AM	Vikki Laing, Heather MacRae, Heather Stirling

                                   HEATHER MACRAE (pictured below)

                                   HEATHER STIRLING

 
                                       DAISY DYER

 
                                      PAMELA FEGGANS