Golf: Catlin keeps Keir at bay to win at Gullane

NEW Gullane trainee pro golfer Keir McNicoll came close to scoring a home victory on his debut in the Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance.

The former Scotland internationalist stormed to the turn in four-under 30 on his way to a 63 on the No. 3 Course. It was good enough to earn a share of second spot with former Walker Cup player David Patrick but the pair were pipped by a 62 from Greenburn’s Scott Catlin.

The winner made his score on the inward nine, which he covered in four-under.

Turnhouse pro Scott Grieve and Craig Gordon (Edinburgh Golf Centre) shared fourth with Drumpellier’s Ross Neill on 65.

In an event that involved just over 100 players, the contest for the John Glen Trophy, the handicap event, was fierce.

Dalmahoy’s Robert Cunningham and Darren Love of Archerfield Links, who had joined forces in the last event of 2011 to win the Braids Invitational, battled for the top prize. Cunningham, a 12-handicapper, claimed the trophy with a net 61, pipping 11-handicapper Love by a shot.