Appalling conditions play their part as Kerr freezes against Redford

While his first-round opponent, Ian Redford, the 17-year-old son of the former Dundee United and Rangers midfielder of the same name, went out prepared for the elements – he had nine towels and eight gloves in his bag – Kerr wasn't so fortunate and duly learnt a harsh lesson.

He was six down after seven and threw in what could only be described as the 'sodden towel' before they had teed off at the eighth.

"It was a real shame as his grips and clubs were soaked, his hands were frozen and he couldn't physically hit the ball at the end," revealed a sympathetic Redford back in the sanctuary of the clubhouse.

"I probably overpacked a bit myself but, having said that, I was already on to my fourth towel by the time we finished. In horrible conditions like those, the person who stays drier is going to score the best – it is not about golf at all."

Insisting the rain had been heavier, the wind stronger and it had also been "ten times colder" the day he was once forced to walk off after eight holes during a first visit to Muirfield with his dad – a low-handicap golfer himself – Redford reached the fifth round in this event at Royal Aberdeen 12 months ago and believes he is in with a decent chance of landing the title at his last attempt.

Winner of the 2007 Scottish Under-16s Championship at Brunston Castle on a previous trip to Ayrshire, Redford is packing more muscle these days thanks to the gym work he's been doing with the Scottish Institute of Sport while his game has also improved since he linked up with Hugh Marr, a Surrey-based coach who works with Oliver Wilson, the Ryder Cup player.

"On the occasions I've been down to see Hugh, who also coaches (Walker Cup player] Stiggy Hodgson, we've worked for three days non-stop and my game is definitely on the right lines," said Redford, who clearly values the support of both his parents.

As a former top-flight football player, he believes his father can instil the "right mentality" to help him get to the top of his chosen sport, while he will not consider a spell at an American college because he would miss his mum, Janine, too much.

While Redford had a proper roof over his head on Monday night – he is staying with his grandparents who live nearby – Craig Howie, a 15-year-old from Peebles, feared the caravan he was in down the coast at Saltcoats was going to take off as the wind gusted to around 40mph.

After finally getting to sleep at 3am, he was up four hours later ahead of a first-round clash with Dalmahoy's Joe Richards but would have been forgiven for thinking it wasn't going to be his day.

On the way to West Kilbride, his dad's car suffered a burst tyre and, though Howie managed to get a lift to the course in plenty of time, the Peebles High School pupil then discovered he had left his golf shoes back in the car.

"I had to practice in my dress shoes before my dad arrived with them about ten minutes before I teed off," said Howie, who was clearly unfazed by his eventful start to the day and won the first three holes to lay the foundations for a 3 and 2 success.

On a day when Pollok's Patrick O'Neill joined his twin brother, Conor, in the second round, two interesting ties were also set up.

Conor Neil from Mount Ellen will play Connor Neil from Blairgowrie, while Callum Hill meets Callum Hill – one from Tantallon and the other from Muckhart.

Already through to the third round is tournament favourite Jack McDonald, the Barassie 17-year-old beating Craigielaw's Euan Mackay 4 and 3 as the wind and rain made way to glorious sunshine in the late afternoon.

If only it had been like that for poor Chris Kerr earlier in the day.