Golf: Sand storm

FORMER Duddingston assistant Tom Buchanan has his sights set on a storming finish to the desert season after beating two fellow Scots in the same day to win the UAE Matchplay Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Victory over Steven Munro in the semi-finals led to a showdown with Callum Nicoll, the UAE No. 1, in which Buchanan holed a 20-foot wining putt on the final green. He said: “It sets up the order of merit nicely for the last two events.”

Pain in Spain

RAIN in Spain frustrated Liberton junior convenor Robert Ross in the Home Nations Junior Finals at Antequera, Spain.

“The event was a bit of a 
disaster,” said Ross after the Scottish champions finished fifth. “The course was not in very good condition due to storms that had blown through over the winter.”

Post deadline

TIME is running out in the search for a new Lothians Golf Association secretary/treasurer as applications for the post close this Sunday.

“Posters have been sent to all clubs in the Lothians and it has appeared on our website, the SGU website and their e-bulletins,” said current incumbent Allan Shaw. “There are no actual applications in yet, but hopefully these will follow.”

Junior Aid

DIG out your old equipment to help the Stephen Gallacher Foundation develop the next generation of players. “As from our next flag event at Kingsfield on April 14, people can hand in any kids’ equipment. It will be offered to youngsters starting the game,” said Foundation manager, Scott Knowles.

Karen to fore

BABERTON’S Karen Marshall will lead Scotland into battle in this year’s Women’s Home Internationals. The Scots, led by Lesley Nicholson, ended a title drought in the event at Whitchurch in Wales three years ago and Marshall will have home advantage at Scotscraig in 
September when she bids to emulate that feat.