SHARVIN TOP OF THE CLASS AT STIRLING INVITATIONAL

By Dr ROB MACPHERSON
A flat calm and sunny day at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, coupled with the excellent condition of the late summer course, meant that the 4th annual Stirling Invitational Tournament saw some high quality golf from the cream of UK and Irish Universities. 
Leading the scoring was defending champion Cormac Sharvin (Stirling University/Ardglass) whose three-under-par 69 was matched by Stirling University alumni, David Booth (Rotherham), playing as a guest. 
The event prides itself in not just being about past and current Stirling players. Invited teams from the Stirling Futures Programme, as well as the Independent Schools Golf Association, ensure that potential stars of tomorrow have the chance to test themselves against the pick of the current crop.
Ben Kinsley (Stirling Futures/ St Andrews) demonstrated that the future is in safe hands with an excellent 70  (-2).
James Wilson (Stirling/Balmore) completed the under-par shooting in the men's draw. 
Robin Dawson's level par 72 was the first score from further afield as the Maynooth University, Ireland student played in the event for the first time. 
Despite Jack McDonald (Stirling/Kilmarnock Barassie) having to withdraw with a wrist injury, Stirling I - perhaps unsurprisingly - led the men's team event, ahead of Maynooth and a Scottish Golf Union Select team.
In the ladies draw, Maynooth also played to the fore, with Shannen Brown shooting an impressive 74 on a lengthened composite course. 
Shannen's team-mate, Shannon Burke  was also prominent with a 76 (+2), split by Stirling University's Gemma Batty (75) and only slightly ahead of Abertay Dundee's Nasstja Banovec (77). In the ladies' team event, Maynooth have an impressive lead over Stirling and the defending champions, ISGA. 
The competition continues tomorrow and concludes on Wednesday.