Golf: North-East impress in Area event

THE North-East topped the qualifying standings in the Moneygate Scottish Area Team championship at Kinross yesterday, writes Nick Rodger.

Bolstered by a six-man side featuring national champion David Law, Edward Trophy winner Philip McLean and the in-form Kris Nicol, runner-up in the Lytham Trophy and the Irish Open in the past fortnight, the three-times area champions finished with an aggregate of 725 in the 36-hole strokeplay qualifier.

The North-East came in 17 shots clear of 13-times national champions, the Lothians, whose side includes the newly-crowned Scottish Boys' champion Grant Forrest. Defending champions Renfrewshire, boasting a squad featuring former Amateur champion Craig Watson and this year's Craigmillar Park Open winner Matthew Clark, qualified comfortably in third on 745 while 2008 champions Ayrshire grabbed the final semi-final spot with a 751.

The North-East will square up to Ayrshire in this morning's last-four with the Lothians and Renfrewshire also battling it out for a place in this afternoon's matchplay final.

Scottish Area Team championship qualifiers:

725 – North-East 363, 362

742 – Lothians 368, 374

745 – Renfrewshire 371, 374

751 – Ayrshire 376, 375