Daily Round-Up: Scot Bill Bryce wins top England Golf award

One of English golf's most coveted honours is in the hands of a Scot in recognition of his 'outstanding contribution to the game' south of the Border.

Glasgow-born Bill Bryce received the Gerald Micklem Award at England Golf’s annual meeting from the organisation’s outgoing president, Nigel Evans.

“I feel honoured and delighted to receive this award and to join such a distinguished list of former recipients,” said Bryce, who cut his golfing teeth in Scotland but made his mark as an administrator in the game after moving to England through his work.

A solicitor, he joined the Distillers Company in London as a legal adviser in 1959, continuing with that company afrer it was taken over by Guinness in 1986 through to his retirement in 1994.

“Golf has been a huge part of my life and it has given me so much,” added the Royal Mid-Surrey member who also plays at Prestwick. “A great deal of that is due to my involvement with the English Golf Union and England Golf, for which I am very grateful.”

Bryce has been a member of the R&A since 1974, chairing three of its committees. He also represented England on the European Golf Association council and been a member of its championship committee. As a referee, he has officiated at 10 Open Championships, three US Masters, one Ryder Cup and two Walker Cups.

The highlight of his own playing career included captaining the Glasgow University team, receiving a “Blue” and going on to play for Scottish Universities.

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New Scottish Boys’ champion Eric McIntosh finished a creditable sixth behind Irish winner Mark Power in the McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath.

The Bruntsfield Links player signed off with rounds of 72 and 71 for a two-under 282 total, five behind Power after he closed with efforts of 71 and 68.

It was a commendable effort from McIntosh, who has taken his game to a new level over the past couple of weeks.

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Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Centre) and Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links) shared top spot in the final CT Academy Pro Winter Series with matching four-under 67s at The Renaissance Club.

The duo finished a shot ahead of Ross Kellett (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Neil Fenwick (Dunbar), Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) and Danny Kay (The Renaissance Club).

A 43-strong field, which also included former PGA champion Andrew Oldcorn and Tartan Tour No 1 Chris Kelly, was the biggest of the season.

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Ross Cameron took route 66 to lead the latest Pro Golf Tour event, the Open Royal Golf Anfa Mohammedia in Morocco.

The Ellon man carded an eagle and five birdies in his five-under-par opening salvo to lead by a shot from three players - Frenchman Antoine Schwartz, Austrian Bernard Neumayer and local hero Faycal Serghini.