Daily Round-Up: SGSL defends decision on Paul Shields

The Scottish Golf Support Limited board has highligted 'finite resources' and a 'competitive process' for Paul Shields failing to secure backing this season despite securing a Challenge Tour card.

Paul Shields. Picture: Getty

The Scotsman revealed yesterday that the 25-year-old Kirkhill player had launched an appeal after being turned down for support worth around £23,000 last year only to see that rejected.

“The SGSL Board considers a range of factors in assessing who should receive investment support, including players’ performance history, progression to date and future potential,” said a statement issued through SportScotland.

“While a number of players were considered, the finite resources mean it is a competitive process. We believe that the three players selected best demonstrated that they would maximise the opportunities available to them through the programme.

“While this is no doubt disappointing for Paul, we will be monitoring his progress on the Challenge Tour and wish him every success for the season ahead”.

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Two days after celebrating his 23rd birthday, Craig Ross made his presence felt in the opening round of the African Amateur Stroke-Play Championship at Leopard Creek.

One of nine Scots in the line-up, the Kirkhill player carded a six-under-par 66 to sit joint-second, a shot behind home player Albert Venter after he made seven birdies in storming home in 30.

Ross, who won as an amateur on the PGA EuroPro Tour at Mar Hall two years ago, illuminated his round with an eagle-2 at the sixth and also signed for six birdies.

Cawder’s Jamie Savage (71) was the only other Scot to break par on a day when Australian Amateur champion Connor Syme (Drumoig Golf Centre) and Walker Cup player Jack McDonald (Barassie) shot matching 73s, four better than Craigielaw’s Grant Forrst and Bob MacIntyre, the Scottish Amateur champion from Glencruitten.

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Kevin Duncan’s victory at Newburgh-on-Ythan was his fourth of the North-East Alliance campaign.

Duncan, who is attached to the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, shot a two-under-par 62 for a one-stroke win from Fraserburgh amateur Gordon Munro.

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New member Kieran Cantley claimed the scratch spoils in the Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance event at Eyemouth.

Duncan Stewart, who is attached to Turnhouse, held the clubhouse lead after a two-under-par 70 (34,36).

But, in one of the final groups, 19-year-old Liberton amateur Cantley beat that by a shot after halves of 34 and 35.

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Walker Cup player Paul Dunne has joined Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis as a KPMG brand ambassador.

”I am very honoured to be associated with a brand like KPMG as I compete internationally on the European and PGA Tours,” said the Irishman, who shared the lead heading into the final round of last year’s Open at St Andrews.

“It is an honour to join Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis as a fellow KPMG ambassador, two players whom I greatly admire and I look forward to learning from them as I embark on my professional career.”