Aberdeen’s David Law is sitting one stroke off the lead after an opening round of six-under-par 66 at the Dubai Open at Al Badia Golf Club.
England’s Jake Shepherd and Zane Scotland are the early pacesetters at the MENA Golf Tour event after both carded 65s.
Scotland’s other representatives Duncan Stewart, Greg Nicolson and Fraser McKenna all shot one-over-73s, while Conor O’Neil was one shot better off following a level-par 72.
It was a day to forget for Grantown’s Graeme Stewart, who started with a 10-over 82.
The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Scottish Ladies Open Tour comes to the end of its first season this week with an 18-hole event at Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian, tomorrow followed by the only 36-hole, two-day tournament on its schedule – the Tour Championship at Marriott Dalmahoy’s east and west courses on Thursday and Friday.
Former Scottish amateur champion and past Curtis Cup player Heather Stirling is leading the table ahead of Katy McNicoll, Lisa Shervill and Laura Murray.
The top amateur in the table is Jess Mee, who is a student at the University of Missouri.
Stonehaven Golf Club completed a notable double whammy when they won the Deeside League championship and also the Harry Stepherd Trophy, which is contested by the league’s clubs at the end of the season as a team stroke play event.
Stonehaven made the most of home turf advantage to total 306 stableford points. It is Stonehaven’s second Deeside League title success but the first time they had won the Harry Shepherd Trophy.
Newmachar’s Adam Fisher won the Spence Trophy – contested by the junior champions of clubs who compete in the Aberdeen and District Junior Pennant League – at Oldmeldrum.
It is the third time Fisher has won the event, following up his successes in 2010 and 2012. He has another year in junior (under-18) golf. He beat Calvin Cheyne (Murcar Links) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final.
Semi-finals: Adam Fisher (Newmachar) bt Kiran Nolan (Kemnay) 1 hole; Calvin Cheyne (Murcar Links) bt Craig Lawrie (Deeside) 6 and 5.
Final: Fisher bt Cheyne 3 and 2.