Forrest Gets Title Defence Underway with Opening Round Win

SCOTTISH BOYS DAY ONE  - FIVE OUT OF SIX FOR GULLANE !! 

11/04/11

 
Defending champion Grant Forrest on the 16th tee (PHOTO: KENNY SMITH) 
The scenic setting of Dunbar (PHOTO: KENNY SMITH)

Defending champion Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) is safely through to the second round after a winning start to his campaign as the 2011 Scottish Boys Championship got underway at Dunbar this morning.

Conditions were tricky for the early starters with the weekend’s searing temperatures giving way to a stiff breeze, but the sun was soon shining on the East Lothian course which was fantastic condition for today’s 74 first round matches.

Forrest, who defeated Ian Redford in the final at West Kilbride, recovered from a sluggish start against Dunfermline’s Jordan Lamb to earn a 3 and 2 win. The Craigielaw youngster lost the opening hole to a birdie and despite winning the second, found himself one down after Lamb’s winning par on the fourth hole.

The 17-year-old levelled the match with a par on the eighth before a birdie at the long ninth put him ahead for the first time in the match. A par three at the 11th put him the defending champion two up, but lamb bounced back to win the next and narrow the gap to one hole. Forrest’s two-hole lead was restored thanks to a par at the fifteenth before clinching the match in style with a birdie two at the short 16th after a five-iron approach to fifteen feet.

In the second match of the day which teed off shortly before 7.00am, recently crowned Junior Champion of Champions winner Craig Hill (Kirkhill) enjoyed a narrow 2 and 1 victory over Fraser Johnston (Longniddry) while Williamwood’s Fraser Davren was impressive in a 4 and 3 win against Aboyne’s Sam McNeil.

Newbattle’s Lee Morgan emerged victorious in the first match of the week to go down extra holes as he defeated Greg Vernon (Annanhill) at the 19th while Academy player Scott Whannel (Newton Stewart) also defeated Andrew Young (Turnhouse) at the first extra hole.

The Troon Welbeck duo of David Wilson and Louis Murray, aiming to follow in the footsteps of club-mate Michael Stewart who won the trophy three years ago, are both safely through while Gullane also have two players in the second round after wins for Michael Williams and Thomas Simmonds.

Click here for all the latest first round results from Dunbar.

EVENING UPDATE 

Gullane had six Junior Members playing today and no less than 5 navigated their way through Round 1. In addition to Michael & Thomas there were convincing victories for Alexander Wilson ( soon to be Scottish U16 cap ) and established performer Anthony Blaney. In addition 15 yo Murray Paterson whose home club is Bruntsfield but who joined GGC last summer came through 

Two more play tomorrow morning 17 yo Alasdair Simpson ( former GGC u14 Junior Champ)  and Fraser Thain from West Linton. 

Unfortunately Junior Captain Greg Houlston fell at the first hurdle this year not being able to repeat his mammoth 9&7 victory at West Kilbride 

Overall we have had 8 Junior Members of handicap 5.5 or less in the field, more than Kilmarnock ( Barassie) who have 7. 

Spot the good golfer !