01/08/12
Fifth seed Fraser McKenna of Balmore made a second-round exit on day three of the Scottish Amateur Championship, but there were impressive victories for the likes of Jack McDonald and Greig Marchbank at Royal Dornoch.
McKenna, a two-time winner on the domestic circuit this season, lost out to former academy player Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) on the 18th green.
On an overcast day with the breeze up, it was a true links test for the field and McKenna was not the only notable name to depart.
Craig Lawrie, the Deeside teenager who is the son of former Open champion Paul, saw his hopes ended by Ross Hinshelwood (East Kilbride) in a 2&1 defeat. There was also disappointment for Craig’s cousin, Portlethen’s Sean Lawrie, who was edged out 2&1 by Daniel Young of Craigie Hill, the Cameron Corbett Vase winner.
Elsewhere, there were victories for Barassie’s in-form Jack McDonald, the third seed, who was an impressive 7&6 winner over Richard Johnston (Glenbervie).
Greig Marchbank, the new Stephen Gallacher Foundation Stroke Play champion, also claimed an emphatic success, triumphing 6&5 over local hopeful Mike MacDonald (Fortrose & Rosemarkie).
Matthew Clark of Kilmacolm, currently second on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit, progressed to the third round also, winning 4&3 against Justin Duff from Fraserburgh.
Another Fortrose & Rosemarkie member, Chris Gaittens, continued his form with another 6&5 win, this time over Chris Corbett (Dumfries & Galloway).
Other big winners included Dunbar’s Alexander Culverwell, defeating Steven Fraser (The Duke’s) by two holes.
The second round matches are finishing this afternoon, before the third round games are also completed late in the day to form the last 32.