Golf: David James rolls back years to start senior quest

DAVID James, who came close to chalking up a notable amateur double nearly 30 years ago, has made a promising start in his bid to add some new Scottish blood on the European Senior Tour this season.

Playing in first stage of the circuit’s Qualifying School in Portugal, the former Southerness player posted a three-under-par 67 at Pestana in Silves to sit just one shot off the lead in joint-second.

James, who won five times on the European Senior Tour Challenge circuit in preparation for his crack at the over-50s circuit, was one of Scotland’s leading amateurs when he came close to making a name for himself in 1985. First, he reached the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship at Royal Dornoch, then, a couple of months later at Southerness, he made it to the final of the Scottish Amateur Championship, losing to David Carrick.

After turning professional, he played in more than 60 events on the European Tour.

At Gramacho, the other first phase venue, two seasoned senior campaigners took pride of place among the Scottish contingent. Terry Burgoyne’s 71, left him sitting third, just ahead of Albert McKenzie on 72.