The 36 hole qualifying rounds for the 2011 Eden and Strathtyrum tournaments began on the Eden and New courses at St Andrews Links today.
The leader after after a blustery round one of the Eden Tournament was Ryan Simpson from Bonnyton with a one over par 71 on the Eden Course. He held a two shot lead over Canadian Gordon McGarva and Allister Raphael from Littlestone with James Hendrick from Pollock and Iain Wilson from Dalmahoy a shot further back on four over par. the leading score on the New Course came from Matthew Chiddington from Heythrop Park who posted a four over par 75.
In the Strathtyrum Tournament three-time runner-up Ann Ramsay, from Kirriemuir, led the way after a one over par 74 on the Eden Course. She held a two shot lead over Nicky Wilson from St Regulus and Jennifer Fallows from Manchester was three shots further back.
The Eden Tournament was played for the first time in 1919 and is a fixture on the Scottish amateur golf calendar. A field of 240 players are taking part in the qualifying rounds with the top 64 lowest aggregate scratch scores qualifying for the six matchplay rounds of the Eden Trophy. The 32 players with the lowest aggregate nett scores will take part in the Eden Tankard handicap competition over five matchplay rounds.
Women golfers from throughout the UK and as far afield as Sweden and Germany are taking part in the Strathtyrum Tournament which was first played in 1989. A field of 102 qualifiers is competing in the 36 hole qualifying strokeplay event. The 32 players with the lowest aggregate scratch scores will qualify for the matchplay stages of the Strathtyrum Trophy. The 16 players with the lowest aggregate nett scores will take part in the Strathtyrum Salver handicap event.
For scoring from the Eden Tournament please click here.
For scoring from the Strathtyrum Tournament please click here.
Image: shaking hands on the 18th green of the Eden Course.