By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Craig Lawrie finished in the money on his debut as a rookie pro in today's North-east Golfers' Alliance 18-hole competition at McDonald Ellon Golf Club.
Lawrie had a baptism of fire in partnering fellow Paul Lawrie Golf Centre professionals Philip McLean, Kris Nicol and Jordan Findlay in a four-ball which provided the winner, runner-up, third and joint fourth in a field of 111 players.
McLean from Peterhead and Nicol from Fraserburgh tied on two-under-par 68.
Findlay from Fraserburgh finished third on 69.
And 18-year-old Lawrie shared fourth place with a creditable one-over-par 71.
"I played OK until I bogeyed the last two holes," said Craig who was watched by father Paul for most of the round and also had to contend with a photographer out on the course.
Craog had four birdies in halves of 38-33: at the fifth, 13th, 14th and 16th. He bogeyed the 15th, 17th and 18th when seemingly set to break the par of 70.
McLean, like young Lawrie, bogeyed the last two holes - his only dropped shots - which are contenders for the most difficult finishing stretch in North-east golfing circles. Philip, winner of last week's Alliance meeting at Cruden Bay, had birdies at the first, third, fifth and 14th in halves of 34.
Nicol had a terrific sub-par run from the eighth, with birdies at the eighth, ninth, 10th, 13th and 16th. He too bogeyed the 17th in halves of 37-31
Findlay highlighted his halves of 37-32 with an eagle 2 at the 13th and birdies at the fifth, sixth, 15th and 16th - but he also dropped a shot at the 17th.
All in all, it was a good day for the Lawrie family. Craig's cousin, Sean Lawrie won a £50 voucher for a hole in one with a pitching wedge at the short 11th (165yd). It was his third ace. He finished joint sixth overall with a 72, his card also including a triple bogey 8 at the long fourth..
His father, Steve, brother of Paul, required 48 shots to the turn but rallied to return an 86 over a course that was, as usual, very wet underfoot.
There were 18 No Returns and the CSS was the same as the par - 70.
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