Golf: Keith in good Nich as he eyes a fifth Champions title

HADDINGTON’S Keith 
Nicholson is on course for a fifth title triumph in the Lothians Champion of Champions.

He’s through to the last eight after beating Kilspindie’s Bob Humble 5 and 4 in an all-East Lothian affair. Nicholson, who first won the event in 1993 then tasted further success in 2000, 2005 and 2006, now meets Third’s Chris Brown. In a Dalmahoy derby, Brown progressed to the quarter-finals by beating Dougie Hunter (Scottish Universities) 2 and 1.

Others sill standing include Temple’s David Miller, Harburn’s Jim Gilmour and John Ralston, the former Lothians Order of Merit winner who is representing Edinburgh Western and Portobello.

Fourth-round results: J Whitelaw (West Linton) lost to D Miller (Temple) 2 and 1; J Ralston (Edinburgh Western/Portobello) bt R Craig (Watsonian) 2 and 1; C Brown (Third) bt D Hunter (Scottish Universities) 2 and 1; K Nicholson (Haddington) bt B Humble (Kilspindie) 5 and 4; A McHardy (Prestonfield) lost to A Brooks (Kings Acre) 7 and 5; K Girdler (Longniddry) bt R Munro (Whitekirk) 5 and 4; D Beatson (Castle Park) lost to J Gilmour (Harburn) two holes; M Simants (Dunbar Castle) lost to M Wilson (Royal Bank) 2 and 1.

Handicap Matchplay fourth-round 
results: P Fortune (R.I.C.S.) bt J Russell (Royal Musselburgh) 4 and 3; G Young (Mortonhall) bt G Henry (Mount Vernon) 2 and 1; R Moffat (Newbattle) bt B Wishart (Buckstone GS) one hole; A Davie (Thorntree) lost to M Hunter (Buckstone GC) 6 and 5; T Bourhill (Braids United) bt G Sneddon (Harburn) two holes; M Miller lost to A Campbell (Caermount) 2 and 1; A Allan (Dunbar) bt Paul Valente (Rhodes) 4 and 3; A Lawson (Dundas Parks) bt C Brown (Ratho Park) at 19th.