Lamb off to golf Q-School after play-off loss

Published on Monday 25 August 2008 10:55

FORMER Scottish boys' stroke-play champion Mark Lamb of Haddington, beaten in a three-way play-off for the North of Scotland open amateur stroke-play championship at the weekend, has entered the European Tour Qualifying School process.

He and fellow amateurs, Craigielaw clubmates Shaun McAllister and Mark Hillson, as well as professional Mark Kerr, will all take part in the Stage 1 event at Dundonald Links next month.

Two other Lothians pros, Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) and Elliot Saltman, are bound for The Oxfordshire and the first eliminator there.

The European Tour derives considerable income from the Qualifying School entrants. There are more than 600 of them this year and each has to pay 1,250, even if they fail at the first of three stages.

Lamb tied with Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) and 2007 British boys finalist Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn) at the head of the North of Scotland field on level par 288 after four rounds over the classic Nairn links.

The first and 18th holes were used for the play-off and Fotheringham was eliminated first at the 18th after taking three from the edge of the green for a 6. Nicol and Lamb both got their pars. Then Nicol beat Lamb at the third extra hole, a 4 to a 5.

Mark Hillson finished joint seventh on 294 while Graham Robertson (Silverknowes) tied for eighth place on 295.