Golf: Home players the most solid once the hickory comes out

LOTHIANS players beat off the challenge from competitors from around the globe to claim most of the top prizes in the 2010 Scottish Hickory Open Championship at Royal Musselburgh.

In the Open Pairs, the first of two separate events, Murrayfield's Liam Bell and Ian Harvey of Thorntree had the best scratch of 75, while Kings Acre's Brian Bell and his partner, Ross Lamont from Campsie, took the handicap honours with a 65.

That event also included a separate competition for the internal Royal Musselburgh clubs, with Port Seton pipping Thorntree on a countback after both posted totals of 286.

The Open Singles, played the following day, was won by local member Craig Johnstone, whose 76 saw him finish four clear of Broomieknowe's Colin Renton, with Andrew Millar of Musselburgh two shots further back in third place.

Ratho Park's Derrick Reid won the handicap with a 74 off ten, pipping Ross Mullen of Royal Musselburgh by the narrowest of margins. Port Seton's Scott Jarvis was third on 76.

That also included an inter-club event, which was won by the host club. With the best three from four net scores counting, a total of 234 gave them a five-shot success over Port Seton, followed by Thorntree on 240. Broomieknowe (242), Musselburgh (243), Royal Burgess (254), Tyneside (254) and Musselburgh Old (270) also entered teams.