Gordon and Jack to fore in Seniors

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published on 05/07/2012 12:00

FRESH from his Lothians double on Monday, Turnhouse stalwart Lindsay Gordon made a promising start in the Scottish Seniors’ Open Championship at Luffness New.

So, too, did Liberton’s Robert Jack, who finished second to Gordon in the battle for the RM Lees Trophy at neighbouring Gullane No. 2 earlier in the week. The pair opened the 54-hole event with two-over-par 72s to sit in joint fourth, two shots behind leader John Baldwin from Sunningdale.

Gordon was on course to earn a share of the lead until he dropped shots at the final two holes, undoing some of the good work earlier on in a round that had started with a birdie.

Jack, who has been on fine form for Liberton in this season’s Edinburgh Summer League, also went on to bag three birdies in total. Baldwin made his score with a strong finish, the Englishman covering his last three holes in a splendid three-under thanks to birdies at the 12th, 15th and 18th. His nearest challengers are Edzell duo James Watt and James Bruce after they carded matching 71s.

Host club member Keith Yuille is handily placed after a 73, two shots better than Royal Burgess duo John Fraser and Fraser McCluskey as well as Haddington’s George Blair.

On the pro scene, Archerfield ace Elliot Saltman didn’t have time to catch his breath far less celebrate earning a place in The Open in a fortnight’s time.

Straight after coming through a play-off at Southport & Ainsdale on Tuesday night, he headed over to Ireland for this week’s Audi Cork Irish Masters on the PGA EuroPro Tour. He opened with level-par 71 to sit in a tie for 14th, four shots behind the leader, Irishman Michael Collins. Saltman’s younger brother, Zack, is tied for 55th after he signed for a 74.

Closer to home, last night’s quarter-finals in the Union Motors Turnhouse Open were abandoned due to the bad weather. The aim is to play the quarter-finals and semi-finals over nine holes tonight to allow the 18-hole final to go ahead as planned tomorrow.