Golf: Age no barrier for hopefuls in Harry Lauder

The annual Harry Lauder golf trophy got underway at Portobello yesterday with the qualifier for the start of tonight’s match play stages and saw new ground broken at both ends of the age scale.

By finishing on 71 – one shot behind leading qualifier Robert Kay, from Lochend – Kieran Cantley, a 14-year-old Liberton member, became the youngest qualifier since the late Ronnie Shade.

Also through is local player John Williams who is believed to be the first qualifier in his 60s in recent years.

In tonight’s match play holder Duncan Ireland faces debutant Kevin Wylie (Musselburgh Old) while Kay plays Portobello champion John Ralston.

The handicap prize was won by Paul Marshall from  Musselburgh Old with a score of 73 –12 for a net 61.

Match play draw: Matthew Craigie v John Williams, Kevin Wylie v Duncan Ireland (holder), Andy Finlayson  v John Semple, Harry  Moriarty v Paul Marshall,  Johan Svard v Kenny Carson, John Ralston v Robert Kay,  Kieran Cantley v Stef  Walker, Alec Gosman Jnr v Kenny Craigie.