Golf: Timmins to eye trialists as Lothians tee off for season

LOTHIANS, under new captain Mark Timmins, start their preparations for the 2011 golf campaign with a trial match against Kingsknowe in the Capital on Sunday.

Timmins will run the rule over players in a second trial, against a boys/youths' select, at Craigielaw tomorrow week.

And he has also picked his side for the first county clash of the season, against Stirlingshire at Glenbervie at the beginning of April.

The three fixtures will help him pick his strongest side for the annual clash with Northumberland, being held this year at Newbattle, on April 24.

By then, the skipper will have a fair idea about who will be filling the six berths in the side for the Scottish Area Team Championship at Prestwick in May.

Sunday's side has plenty of experience and includes former captain Keith Nicholson and Greenburn's Gary Corrigan.

"You have got to have experience," said Timmins. "It is too easy in my opinion just to throw young guys into a team, though Grant Forrest would have been considered if he wasn't unavailable.

"However, I am looking forward to our match against the boys/youths' side at Craigielaw as I am keen to see how they are progressing."

Kingsknowe, who will have Lothians champion Allyn Dick in their ranks, are gearing up for the start of the Edinburgh Summer League.

"Our guys have been working exceptionally hard over the winter, determined to improve on what was a decent season, particularly individually, last year," said team captain Bill Buchan. "We have been receiving coaching from Ian Young and his team, including Chris Morris from Kingsknowe, in an innovative scheme at the Braid Hills over the winter. The coaching is part of a deal struck up with them, which has proved a great success."

Lothians (versus Kingsknowe on Sunday): M Hillson (Craigielaw), D Miller (Duddingston), K Nicholson (Haddington), S Simants (Dunbar), S Neilson (Dunbar, M Campbell (Swanston New), M Cunningham (Craigielaw), S McGarvey (Glencorse), D Muir (Dunbar), G Corrigan (Greenburn).

Lothians (versus Lothians Boys/Youths at Craigielaw on March 26): M Hillson (Craigielaw), S Armstrong (Turnhouse), S Simants (Dunbar), C Neilson (Dunbar), M Campbell (Swanston New), M Cunninghan (Craigielaw), S McGarvey (Glencorse), D Muir (Dunbar), G Corrigan (Greenburn), K Reilly (Silverknowes).

Lothians (versus Stirlingshire at Glenbervie on April 2): A Dick (Kingsknowe), M Hillson (Craigielaw), K Nicholson (Haddington), S Simants (Dunbar), C Neilson (Dunbar), M Campbell (Swanston New), M Cunningham (Craigielaw), S McGarvey (Glencorse), D Muir (Dunbar), K Reilly (Silverknowes).