2001 Amateur Season

2 August, Scottish Amateur Championship
Downfield I disappointing end to my tournament and much earlier than I had expected, losing in the third round at the 19th hole. It was a tough match and when you go into extra holes, anything can happen. It makes life difficult when your opponent hits it stiff in sudden death with his approach! Anyway life goes on and I having something special to announce on Monday, so check back to the site then. Cheers, David.

16 July, Open Final Qualifying
Just found out that I missed qualifying by a shot!! I was then in a 5-man play-off for the two alternate spots and after losing one player at the first, I went out at the second. I had hit a poor drive and had a bad lie in the rough, so I tried not to ground the club, but the ball moved anyway and I had to call a penalty on myself. This led to a bogey on a hole I had birdied twice and that was the end of my Open. So near and yet so far. Back to Edinburgh, Scotland and the Lothian Team Tournament - it will seem a long way from Lytham. Thanks for your support. David

16 July, Open Final Qualifying, 2nd Round:70 (-2)
Another solid round for a four under par total, that currently sees me tied for 5th and possibly a playoff spot. Got off to another good start with a birdie at the second again, and birdied the seventh too, but bogeys at 4 and 10 left me level with most of the back nine to go. I then birdied 14 and followed it up with one at the par-5 sixteenth, which I hit in two and made the two-putt for birdie. All this without actually holing any putts of consequence as was demonstrated by a miss from short range at 17 for birdie, which I may rue at the end of the day. Whatever happens I am pleased with my form and my performance amongst all these pros, so we'll see later whether or not it is good enough to get in. Finger's crossed! David

15 July, Open Final Qualifying, 1st round: 70 (-2)
Had a great round today and holed out very well on a day which started a bit damp, but then cleared up to be perfect for golf. Got off to great start with a birdie at the 2nd, but gave it back with a bogey at 6. I went back under par with birdies at 8 and 9, before disaster struck when my drive at 12 went straight down the middle in to a large divot hole. From there I missed the green and made my only mistake by three-putting for a double bogey. However, I birdied 15 and 18 to get things back on track and I am in good shape for tomorrow, only two behind the leaders. I am off very early at 7.55am, so I should get the calmest conditions, so let's hope the rain stays off. My Dad managed to get here just in time to see me tee off after driving down from Edinburgh to Liverpool. It will be great to have his support again tomorrow. I am not sure how many qualify from here - I am just going to focus on playing my best and shooting the lowest number possible and see where that leaves me. Speak to you tomorrow. David

14 July, Open Final Qualifying
Just found out today that I have managed to get into the Open Final Qualifying at Southport & Ainsdale after being first reserve. I had a practice round today on the course, which suits accuracy more than length. It's a real links course with real links rough so staying on the fairway will be key, as will putting on the greens which are excellent. I am off at 10.40am on Sunday and 7.55am on Monday, so I will keep you updated. David

6 June, Mastercard Tournament, Whitekirk
The whole event has been plagued by rain and mist, which is very disappointing as I was looking forward to teeing it up with the pro's. I have managed 15 holes after two days of being at the course and played them in one over par. Hopefully I will get another chance in a future event to experience it more. Maybe summer will arrive soon! David

1 July, Champion of Champions, Lundin Links
Played very well all weekend for four over par total to finish in tenth place, 8 behind the winner. I had very solid rounds of 73,72,72 and 71 and putted very well for the first time in a while. Lundin Links is a great course and you should try and play it if you can. Hopefully I can carry this form forward to the Mastercard event next week and the Open Qualifying, if I get in! Cheers, David

25 June, Welsh Open Strokeplay
On the sunny par 72 Masedu GC course, I shot 71,74,70,69 for 12th place. Overall I was very happy with my performance on a shortish course with lots of rough. If you hit the fairway you had a good chance of making a birdie, but if you missed it, you would struggle for par. After only 4 birdies in the first two rounds, I worked hard on my wedge play for a couple of hours each day and the results paid off with 13 birdies in the last two rounds, including 5 birdies in 7 holes on the back nine of the third round. As the Scotland team are (quite rightly) blooding some youngsters in Sweden this weekend, I am off to the East of Scotland Open at Lundin Links to (hopefully) shoot some good scores and top up my Welsh sun tan on a course I know well. Before then I will be at the Evening Times Scottish Foursomes this week playing with my Walker Cup caddy, Andy off 1, so hopefully we can go far at the Hamilton GC. I have also just learned from the SGU that I have been invited to play in a Mastercard Tour event at Whitekirk in early July, so I will keep you posted on that. Let's hope the sunshine lasts a bit longer! Cheers, David.

17 June, Scottish Open Strokeplay, Day 2
Managed to extend my run of not dropping a shot to 37 consecutive holes in the morning round over Nairn. Unfortunately it all came to an end at the 8th where I pulled my wedge into a bank beside the green and could not get up and down for par. Then the dropped shots came thick and fast, with a bogey at nine and a major disagreement with a gorse bush at 10. Birdies at 11 and 17 helped ease the pain a little as I carded 76 (+4). In the afternoon I started poorly and was 2 over after four, when with a bit more luck and a few putts dropping I could have been 2 under after four! That's golf and essentially my challenge was over and I finished with a solid if unspectacular 73 (+1) in the afternoon. I am now looking forward to the Welsh Strokeplay and hopefully I can continue my improved form and challenge more over the final two rounds. Off to watch the US Open playoff - at least my putting is better than those guys playing the 18th last night! David.

16 June, Scottish Open Strokeplay, Day 1
Started with a respectable 73 (+1) over Nairn Dunbar which could have been better had I not lost a ball at the 7th. The swing changes I have been working on with my coach David last week seem to be working fine. In the afternoon round over Nairn I had a three under 69 with 15 pars and 3 birdies. I was really pleased with this round as I never really looked like dropping a shot and actually missed loads of chances to go even lower. I am currently 5th place overall as we speak and am looking forward to the final two rounds tomorrow. Thanks for all your emails. David.

5 June, British Amateur Qualifying
Round 2: 77 (+6)
Unfortunately it is all over for another year after thee bad holes including doubles at both the par fives. I went OB at the third, put my approach to the 6th into the jungle and at the 12th, I caught a really bad lie in the fairway bunker and had a quick game of sandcastles before getting out. I am disappointed to say the least after all the hard work I have put in for this. My matchplay record lately has been excellent and I was looking forward to the knockout stages, but you have to qualify first! I am off home for a few (?) beers tonight before heading up north to see my coach at Skibo Castle and then on to Nairn for the Scottish Strokeplay. A different day, a different course and hopefully a different result. Thanks for your support, David.

4 June, British Amateur Qualifying
Round 1: 75 (+3)
A 75 over Barassie puts me in the middle of the pack needing a good score tomorrow to ensure top 64 qualification for the matchplay stages. I played solid enough, but I did not create enough birdie chances to give myself the opportunity of a really low score. The round was rescued by an eagle at the par five 16th, but with the leaders shooting 66s I need to get some birdies of my own on the board when I tee off on Prestwick tomorrow at 9.40am. Speak to you tomorrow, David.

27 May, St Andrews Links Trophy, St Andrews
Agonisingly I missed the cut by one after rounds of 72 on the Old and 75 on the New. The pace of play was glacial (5 hours for each round!), which did not help my rhythm. Overall I played very solid and a bit more luck with the long putts from around the green on the Old would have seen me through to regain the title I won in 1999. I am now back in Elie resting and preparing for the British Amateur next week at Prestwick. Please check the site as I will be updating it throughout that tournament. Thanks for the support, David.

24 May, Scotland v France, Lundin Links
Another great day for the team saw us win comfortably 21-3. I was delighted to keep my 100% record with a 4&3 win in the foursomes and a 2&1 win in the singles. In the morning foursomes, my partner & I were 5-under with 3 or 4 shots lost on the greens - golf's an easy game sometimes! Combined with my results in the various national amateur championships, I am pleased that my matchplay record is now improving. It's great to see the results of hard work come to the fore. Off to St Andrews now - it's a busy week! David

23 May, Scotland v France, Lundin Links
As a team we got off to a great start in the foursomes, being ahead by three points at lunch. In the singles, I played really well and managed to win 8&7 against the French Amateur champion Francois Delamontagne. The team is currently 11-1 ahead so we are in very good shape and I will report back again soon. David.

21 May, Brabazon Trophy, Royal Birkdale
On a very windy day I played very well until I got to the 11th, where a bit of uncertainty cost me dear. Rather than bust a two iron into the wind, I tried to cut in a 3-wood and hit it into the jungle and ended up with a snowman (an 8) on my way to 77. In the second round I did not play as well and a weak finish of 5,5,5 when I hoped to go 4,4,4 contributed to missing the cut by four. I am disappointed but not in despair as I am hitting it well, but that's golf for you! David.

9 May, Lytham Trophy, England
Not one of my most memorable trips to Lancashire! Played well, hit the ball well, but it just did not happen for me on the course - I guess we all have days like that! The result was 78 on Royal Lytham and 76 on Fairhaven to comfortably miss the cut. At Lytham I played very solid apart from the 4th and 15th which saw 5 shots frittered away, whilst at Fairhaven I played the six par 5s in level par, when I should be picking up 3-4 birdies. Still, now I am back and the weather has improved the condition of the courses and greens, I can work hard on my short game and look forward to a busy couple of weeks at the Brabazon, St Andrews Links Trophy and the match against France. I have usually played well in all of these so here's hoping! Speak to you soon, David.

16 April, Craigmillar Park Open, Edinburgh
Managed to shrug off the effects of being in bed for the three days before this event with 'flu to compete - highly trained athletes get bugs more easily!! With only 30 making the 36 hole cut, the scoring was tight and a 76 (+6) and 70 (level) was one shot too many. I hit 29 greens over the two rounds, but my play on and around the (average) greens was poor again. Still it is early doors yet and I am off seeing my coach to improve this area and to get ready for the Walker Cup squad session at the Belfry next weekend. I have never played the course before so it will be good to see it, especially with the Ryder Cup there later this year. Bye for now, David.

8 April, Champion of Champions, Leven
Has a very solid weekend shooting 74, 69, 67, 71 for seventh place. I felt I played really well, although my short game let me down a bit. The greens are certainly a little slower then those in Australia! Welcome home David!!

24 March, Australian Amateur Matchplay
This is the report I was hoping not to send. I lost one down in the quarter-finals this morning. Did not play well at all and found myself down most of the match. At 1 down with 4 holes to go I managed to rally and string together a few good shots, making birdies from close range on both 15 and 16 to go 1 up. Poor teeshot into fairway bunker at the 17th cost me a bogey and loss of hole. At the 18th, I hit a good teeshot and good second that kicked off a mound in the green into a swale. My opponent missed the green and chipped 12 feet past. I hit a good pitch which just catches a slope that sends it 12 feet past also. I miss, he holes, game over. Very disappointed as the match and tournament were there for me to win. Even the Australian press were labelling me as favourite! All in all it has been a great trip despite the fact it did not end the way I would have wished for. Thanks for the support and interest - 'til the next tournament... David

23 March, Australian Amateur Matchplay
Through to the quarterfinals after a good day at the office. Played very solidly this morning and was 4up with five to play. However, birdies at 14 and 17 by my opponent and my first bogey of the day at 15 meant I was only one up with one to play. Two good shots to the heart of the green, knocked my first putt 6 feet past and managed to hole the return to win. I was round in a 2-under par and was generally confident going into the afternoon despite the wee hiccup. Played my best golf this afternoon, well so far anyway! Five up at the turn with birdies at 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 and no dropped shots. Hit the ball exactly into the spots I wanted. Played sensibly the rest of the way to close out the match 5/4. If I continue to play this way I should be fine over the weekend. Looking forward to the quarters tomorrow and I hope I can do a little better in the current AGU web site poll than I did in the last one!! Check the site out for news and I will try to report back over the weekend, hopefully with more good news. David.

22 March, Australian Amateur Qualifying, 4th Round
Well safely through to the matchplay stages despite the torrential rain that greeted us all day. Lot of comments that it should suit me coming from Scotland! Finished tied 7th, but that is irrelevant once the matchplay stages have started. I should know after just qualifying for the US Amateur matchplay last year and then beating the leading qualifier, so I will be concentrating hard. Played pretty solid all day and was 2 under par after six holes, but let a few shots slip away to finish with a one over par 73. Had a few problems with yardages and hitting into back bunkers which were under water and therefore no shot. Generally happy with my game, just need to tighten up a few areas and I should be fine. Potentially two rounds tomorrow so we will have to wait and see how it goes. Talk soon, David.

21 March, Australian Amateur Qualifying, 3rd Round
Shot 76 (+4) over Kingston Heath in very blustery conditions and generally played pretty solid with my iron play sharper than it has been. Double bogeyed the 5th and 6th holes without doing a lot wrong. Very difficult pin positions and I struggled with the pace of the greens, which are slower and more inconsistent than Metropolitan. Birdied the 7th and 12th with two putt birdies, but putted very poorly from short range with three putts on 8 and 10 and missed three footer on last for birdie! Hopefully that is the bad round out the way. Now lying tied 6th overall although the scores are a lot more bunched. Good steady round tomorrow should see me comfortably through. David

20 March, Australian Amateur Qualifying
Everything going pretty well so far with the weather a tad better than back home! Just had the first two rounds of the qualifying for the Aussie Amatuer. Shot 72 (level) yesterday at Kingston Heath. I played pretty solid but did not putt well and my wedge play could have been sharper. I followed that with a 68
(-4) at Metropolitan (where they played the Accenture World Matchplay). Played well and putted a bit better although still left quite a few shots out there and bogeyed the last. There is a cut after 2 rounds for the top hundred that came at 157. Happily I am well inside that and am joint second with two more qualifying rounds to go before the field is reduced to 32 for matchplay stage. For the latestnews, click on the links in the schedule page and I will report back soon. David.

13 March, Riversdale Cup, Australia
Played okay in this Australian national trial tournament and finished in a tie for 31st. The course is par 72 and I managed to shoot 75, 72, 75 and 74 for a total of 296. The winner was local Aussie Shannon Jones who ran away with it shooting 278 for a five shot win. Things haven't been going well off the course either - my mobile went walkies, so getting reports back has been difficult - at least the weather is great! Off to the Australian Amateur now. See the site links in the schedule for more up to date news on the Australian golf scene. David.

2001 Walker Cup Squad
It has just been announced that there is a meeting for Walker Cup squad members at the Belfry on 24-25 April for those involved in previously announced Walker Cup squad. Even though a few of the original squad have turned pro, there were still be a lot of competition for places when the team in announced in July. It will be good to see Captain McEvoy and everyone again after our last success at Nairn. Hopefully my good result at Sea Island in February and my experience of studying and playing in America will stand me in good stead when the team is picked. Fingers crossed! I am having a few problems getting info back from Australia on my tournaments (that's the web for you!) so I will report on my results as soon as I can. Cheers, David.

Jones Cup, Sea Island, Georgia
Just finished playing an awesome course where I shot 77, 70 and 74 for tenth place in this international amateur event. This is where this year's Walker Cup is being held and it is a wonderful layout. I played very well each day and the scores could have been even better but for a poor finish to each round. As this was my first competition of the year, I can put this down to being a little rusty. However the swing changes I have made over the winter were well grooved and I feel very positive about the forthcoming season. I was also playing with the new Titleist Pro V1 golf ball which is excellent and seems to go that little bit further - something we all want! I am going to stay over here for a couple of days for some warm weather practice before coming back and getting ready for my next trip down under. Bye for now, David.

Going West!
Just making final preparations to head off to play in the Jones Cup at Sea Island, Georgia in the USA. I am travelling with Craig Watson and around a dozen of the GB&I team will also be playing in the event, so hopefully one of us will do the business! The Walker Cup is being held at this course, so it will be good practice for the squad members. It will be great to get to some warmer weather as my last trip to see my coach at Skibo Castle was cancelled because the course was frozen. I am going up there this weekend to fine tune the swing before heading across the pond. When we get there I will have about a week of practice to get acclimatised. I have just got mobile access to the internet sorted for the US, so (if I can work it), I will be reporting back on my scores. Cheers, David.

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