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Scottish Amateur: Match play begins
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (July 29, 2013) -- The home fires are still burning; on a day that produced a few surprises, two of the event favourites – Blairgowrie pair Bradley Neil and Glenn Campbell – progressed to the second round of the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship.

With 256 hopefuls seeking to emulate the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Stephen Gallacher and Dean Robertson by claiming title glory in Perthshire, Blairgowrie would love to crown a home champion, this their first-ever staging of the SGU’s flagship event.

Campbell started proceedings at 6.45am against Greg Telfer from Prestwick St Cuthbert and had to draw on all his local knowledge to emerge victorious.

The 40-year-old, a member at Blairgowrie for over three decades, found himself two down after the opening three holes, not helped by a pulled drive at the par-5 opening hole of the Lansdowne Course.

But the 2005 champion dug deep and stayed on course for a round four clash with defending champion Grant Forrest after earning a 4&3 win.

“I’m looking to have a good run and hopefully local knowledge will help,” said Campbell, who reeled off hole wins at 5, 7, 8 and 10 to turn the tide.“The course is in as good a condition as I’ve seen it in a long time – it’s fantastic.”

Campbell, who has fellow Blairgowrie member and SGU Boys Selectors Chairman Barrie Douglas on the bag this week, added: “Five Blairgowrie players started the event, so hopefully some of us can go far in the tournament. It’s good for the local interest and for our members.”

Neil was among the later starters on a busy opening day of 74 ties, coming through 3&2 against Grant Minnes of Kirkintilloch. "It was far from my A-game," said the Scottish Boys champion. "There is a lot of pressure and expectation on me this week and I just have to relax."

Forrest, meanwhile, fresh from playing The Open at Muirfield, was comfortable in a 4&3 win over Lanark’s Jamie Lamb.

“My game is feeling pretty good and I’ll just take things one shot at a time,” said the 20-year-old, who played with Mark O’Meara at The Open after coming through local final qualifying. “I had loads of chances but didn’t hole too many.”

Elsewhere, Paul Lawrie’s son Craig edged a tight battle with another Blairgowrie player, Nick Barr, to progress at the 19th.“It was the only time I was ahead in the whole match,” said the Deeside youngster.

However, last year’s beaten finalist, Richard Docherty from Bearsden, exited at the first hurdle to David Donaldson of Bruntsfield Links, losing a terrific match at the 24th.

Kilmarnock Barassie’s Euan Walker, who represented Scotland at the recent European Boys’ Team Championship, was also a casualty, going down to Nairn’s Cameron Nelson 3&2, as was the former Scottish Boys champion, Craig Howie of Peebles, defeated by Adam Fisher of Newmachar 4&3.

There was also disappointment shortly after 9pm for Stuart Graham, the fifth member of the Blairgowrie challenge, who lost the 16th and 17th to be beaten by West Lothian's Myles Johnston on the last.

But the likes of Scott Borrowan and Daniel Young, both seeds and much-fancied, progressed, as did the 2001 champion, Barry Hume. James Ross and Lawrence Allan also booked spots in round two, the latter playing Neil on Wednesday morning.

Results: Scottish Amateur
WinScotlandAlexander CulverwellScotland500
Runner-upScotlandJames WhiteScotland400
SemifinalsScotlandGrant ForrestScotland300
SemifinalsScotlandCraig RossScotland300
QuarterfinalsScotlandLiam HollidayScotland200

View full results for Scottish Amateur

ABOUT THE Scottish Amateur

The Scottish Amateur Championship began in 1922 and has witnessed many famous victors, including legendary amateurs Ronnnie Shade and Charlie Green as well as some of the stars of the modern game, Colin Montgomerie and Stephen Gallacher.

Entry to the Championship is open to any male golfer who was either born in Scotland, has Scottish parentage, permanent residency in Scotland for not less than 5 years and has not played international golf or competed in a closed Championship for any other country other than Scotland. The starting field shall be 256 and, in the event of an over-entry, the number shall be reduced in order of exact handicap. Each match shall consist of one round of 18 holes except the final which will be played over 36 holes.

View Complete Tournament Information

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