01/07/12
Allyn Dick held off the challenge of defending champion Paul Ferrier to secure victory in today’s East of Scotland Open Championship at Lundin, the latest event on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit.
Dick, of Kingsknowe, claimed a three-shot success after posting an eight-under-par total in the 72-hole event, largely thanks to a brilliant second round 63.
The twice past Scottish mid-amateur champion led by two shots from Neil Henderson (Glen) after the first 36 holes, before extending that advantage to three going into the final round.
Baberton's Ferrier, a semi-finalist in the recent Amateur Championship at Royal Troon and progressing earlier this week to Local Final Qualifying for The Open, applied pressure with a final round 69 but Dick comfortably held on. It's his fourth Order of Merit success in as many years.
Despite the likes of Graeme Robertson, Brian Soutar and home member James White all missing due to Palmer Cup and Brabazon Trophy duties, a quality field still assembled on the east coast.
With Dick and Ferrier taking the top two spots, four players shared third place: Scott Borrowman (Dollar), Michael Daily (Erskine), Steven Maxwell (Windyhill) and Henderson, who faded with a final round 73.
>> Click here for final scores from the East of Scotland Open Championship
Round-up
* Kirkhill’s Paul Shields finished as the leading Scot in the Brabazon Trophy, the English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
The SGU National Men’s Squad player defied the conditions to post a final round one-under-par 71 for an 11-over-par total and a share of 17th spot.
Neil Raymond achieved his goal when he successfully defended the Brabazon in the wind and rain at Walton Heath.
The 26-year-old from Hampshire, who was the only player under par after 72 holes, made history by becoming the first player in over 20 years to win two Brabazon’s in-a-row.
A closing round of 72 left him two strokes clear of playing partner Kevin Phelan from Ireland, also with a 72, and three ahead of the fast-finishing Jamie Rutherford (Knebworth). Next best Scot after Shields was Brian Soutar (Leven GS), who tied for 26th place.
>> Click here for final scores from the Brabazon Trophy
* Scottish pair David Drysdale and Craig Lee banked over £41,500 thanks to both sharing seventh place at The Irish Open on The European Tour.
Drysdale (66) and Lee (68) finished on 12-under-par at Royal Portrush, six behind maiden tour winner Jamie Donaldson of Wales.
In a good event for the Scots, Richie Ramsay shared 16th after a final round 67, with Gary Orr joint-18th and former Open champion Paul Lawrie again doing his Ryder Cup bid no harm as he surged through the field with a closing 66 to share 33rd.
Marc Warren and Stephen Gallacher were also placed inside the top 45.
On the Race to Dubai rankings, eight Scots are currently inside the coveted top 115 who retain their cards for 2013.
* Rookie Motherwell pro Ross Kellett, in the SGU ranks last year, posted a joint-23rd place finish in this weekend's Alps Tour event in France, the Open International de La Mirabelle d'Or. Kellett sits in ninth spot on the Alps Tour Order of Merit.
* Former Scottish Youths champion Martin Laird returned to form with a tie for 11th at the AT&T National at the Congressional Country Club.