July 2002

8 July, Open Pre-Qualifying, Renfrew, Scotland, 73 (+1)
Got off to a bad start today with bogeys at 3,4 and 8. However I got my act together and birdies at 7, 11, 12 and 14 turned things around. I was now at 1 under par and easily inside the mark until I doubled 16 to drop to one over. This leaves me in a play-off for alternate spaces, which should get me into the final qualifying stages if I win it. This is because players who are entered for the final qualifying become exempt, such as the US Tour Players. If I do well I'll stay for the next stage, if not I am off to Finland to rejoin the Challenge Tour. I'll let you know how I get on. I am going to have to hang around here for a few hours yet before the playoff starts. I was in the same situation last year and made birdie at the first extra hole, so hopefully I can get the same result this time around. Bye for now, David

9 July, Open Pre-Qualifying, Playoff Result
Sorry for the delay in reporting the result, but I got back very late last night after getting through with a birdie at the 7th extra hole! This means I am second alternate and 20th reserve in total, so I reckon I am definitely going to be teeing it up in Final Qualifying on Sunday and Monday. I'll find out the course later this week, but I know all of them very well as I am from Edinburgh and have played them all many times. Let's hope I can make it through without the playoff next time! David

12 July, Open Championship Final Qualifying - I'm In!
Just found out that I have got into final qualifying at Gullane 1. I am teeing off at 12.12 on Sunday and 9.06 on Monday. I am pleased with the draw as I know the courses well and there should be a good atmosphere with it being so close to Luffness and Muirfield. I have spent the days since Monday practicing up in Elie and the game is in good shape so I am looking forward to teeing it up. I'll keep you up to date with my progress through the site. David

14 July, Open Championship Final Qualifying, 1st Round 71 (Level)
Just a quick update to let you know that I shot level par today at Gullane No.1 , which means I am going to have to go some tomorrow as 62 is leading. I was off late today and am off early tomorrow just after nine, so I am off home to get some dinner and then an early bed. Hopefully I can get a low number in early and then take my chances. Cheers, David

15 July, Open Championship Final Qualifying, 2nd Round 72 (+1)
Played OK today but unfortunately I am miles away from qualifying. I was two under through 12, but then had three bogeys in a row, due in part to two three-putts. After that I got a bit fed up, especially as I was making very few putts for par. However I was never really in much trouble so it is a bit frustrating to score so highly. Maybe next year...David

25 July, Charles Church Challenge Tour Championship, 1st Round, 77 (+5)
The round at Bowood G&CC in Wiltshire can be summed up as 15 pars and three bad holes. After 6 straight pars I went double, double, bogey to drop five shots and then parred in from there. Not really sure what happened, but it was all a bit of a struggle. The putter is still a bit cold and I am going to have to go low tomorrow to make the cut, which will probably come around level par if the weather stays the same. Speak to you tomorrow, David

27 July, Charles Church Challenge Tour Championship, 2nd Round, 74 (+2)
Played solid again today but not enough to make up for those three bad holes yesterday. When you have to shoot 4 under to make the cut, it makes life difficult. I putted well and not a lot went wrong, but not a lot went right either. I am going to take it easy tomorrow as it is a long drive home tonight and do some practising Sunday & Monday before heading to Helsinki on Tuesday. My aim is to at least make it into the top 80 on the Order of Merit to improve my category ranking. I am currently 168, but I am only one week away from success! I have always played better in the second half of the season, so I am confident of having a good week soon to get me up the rankings. Cheers, David

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