Troon Welbeck’s Charlie Macneal is Ayrshire boys’ champion

Aug 13 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

CHARLIE MACNEAL (Troon Welbeck) stormed to a three shot victory in the Ayrshire Boys' Championship over Troon Lochgreen with a stunning eight under par second round of 66.

Sixteen-year-old Macneal, who plays off one, opened with a two under par 72 which left him joint third behind Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) on 70 and clubmate Ben Gibson on 71.

In the afternoon, however, Macneal blew the field apart with his spectacular round, covering the outward nine in 32 shots, six under par.

Scratch: 138: Charlie MacNeal (Welbeck) 72, 66; 141: Euan Walker (Barassie) 70, 71; 145: Marc Smith (Welbeck) 73, 72; 147: David Wilson (Welbeck) 72, 75; Ben Gibson (Welbeck) 71, 76.

Net: 137: Graeme Ritchie (3) (Welbeck) 70, 67; 138: Ian Napier (9) (Belleisle) 67, 71; 139: Greg Telfer (5) (St C) 67, 72.

New champion Macneal now leads the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit table, ahead of long time leader and holder Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Leading points: 477.50: MacNeal; 350: McDonald; 260: Marc Smith (Welbeck); 248.30: David Wilson (Welbeck); 202.50: Ben Gibson (Welbeck); 200: Euan Walker (Barassie).

Meanwhile, the Ayrshire Boys' Matchplay Championship will again be hosted by Prestwick Golf Club.

First round ties today (Thursday): 16.30: Charlie Macneal (Welbeck) v Ciar Porciani (Belleisle); 16.40: David Wilson (Welbeck) v Ben Gibson (Welbeck); 1650: Greg Telfer (St C) v Graeme Ritchie (Welbeck); 1700: Sean Thorburn (Belleisle) v Euan Walker (Barassie).