James White loses clubs ahead of pro debut

JAMES White was set to prepare for his professional debut today with a “beaten up old hire set” after his own clubs went missing en route to Egypt.

Picture: Contributed

Fellow Alps Tour newcomer John Gallagher also had his preparation spoiled for the Red Sea Open after suffering the same problems travelling with British Airways.

“We flew out on Saturday and the tournament starts tomorrow, but I haven’t been able to hit a ball since Friday,” said Fifer White, the 2011 Scottish Order of Merit winner.

“Today is the last practice round, so I’m now considering hiring a beaten up old set for a practice round in the hope that I will have my own clubs to start the tournament with.”

Gallagher, the 2007 Scottish Amateur champion, was reunited with his clubs yesterday after a five-hour journey to the airport but ran out of time to fit in a practice round.

“I’ve not hit shots for five days and will now have to settle for walking the course yesterday,” said the Duddingston-based player.

Joining White and Gallagher, both Q-School graduates, in the first of two 54-hole events back-to-back in Egypt are fellow Scots Michael Stewart, Ross Kellett, John Henry, Ross Cameron, Kris Nicol and Jordan McColl.