Golf: Saltman's season ends sadly

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 08:40

A SEASON which looked so promising a few weeks ago has ended on a disappointing note for Lothians golfer Elliot Saltman after he failed to progress to the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

A closing 74 at Sherry Golf in Jerez left the Archerfield Links player just outside the cut-off mark, meaning he will probably have to turn his attention back to the EuroPro Tour for another season.

Saltman looked set for a top-five finish on that circuit's order of merit this year but a late stumble saw him slip to seventh, missing out on a card for the European Challenge Tour.

The other Lothians players in action at the second stage – Raymond Russell, Mark Kerr, Lee Harper and Mark Hillson – also failed to progress to the final test, which starts in Girona this weekend. Only three Scots progressed from phase two, Alan McLean, George Murray and Greig Hutcheon joining the likes of the exempt Andrew Coltart, Stephen Gallacher, Andrew Oldcorn and Callum Macaulay in this week's field.