Amateur International
Scotland's amateurs dismantled some impressive Spanish reputations at Glasgow Gailes yesterday in the process of assembling an impressive 81/2-31/2 half-time lead in their biennial two-day friendly.
The Spaniards arrived in Ayrshire as European champions, having beaten Scotland in the final in Portmarnock last summer, and possessing in their ranks teenager Sergio Garcia, widely lauded as European golf's next superstar.
The 18-year-old from Castellon may have a list of titles as long as his arm and, at +5.3, possess the lowest handicap in European golf, but he has yet to figure out how to defeat an opponent in dark blue.
Last year, his only reverse in 17 match-play outings came at the hands of Inverallochy's Steven Young, a 7 and 6 singles defeat in the European final in Ireland.
Yesterday he placed another two noughts in his credit column, losing 4 and 2 in tandem with Alex Larrazabal to Craig Watson and Andrew Farmer in the foursomes before going down 3 and 2 to Graham Rankin in the singles.
''He beat me in a friendly at Valderrama two years ago but it was calm there and that suited him - it's a lot harder for them to come over here and play because you can't just fly the ball at the green all the time,'' said Rankin.
The foursomes reverse summed up a disappointing morning for the visitors, who beat Scotland 14-10 at Valderrama, but who had to go into lunch this time around 3-1 behind.
Top performers for the home side were Lorne Kelly and Graham Fox, the latter knocking in a 50ft birdie putt at the opening hole which set the tone for their 7 and 5 defeat of Victor Fernandez Grande and Angel Luis Saura.
Lytham Trophy winner Kelly continued in the singles where he had left off, with again Saura the unfortunate recipient, this time going down 3 and 2 to the man from Cowal.
Another big winner for the Scots was Turriff's Ewan Forbes, who beat Larrazabal 5 and 4, while Graham Fox saw off Jacobo Cestino 3 and 2 in the final tie as the Scots took the singles session 51/2-21/2. Results:
Foursomes - L Kelly (Cowal) and Graham Fox (West Kilbride) beat V Fernandez Grande and A L Saura 7 and 5, C Watson (East Renfrewshire) and A Farmer (Kilmacolm) beat S Garcia and A Larrazabal 4 and 2, G Rankin (Palacerigg) and E Forbes (Turriff) beat O Sanchez and R Quiros 3 and 2 S Mackenzie (West Linton) and D Patrick (Mortonhall) lost to J Cestino and A Mata 1 hole. Foursomes result-Scotland 3, Spain 1.
Singles - Watson halved with Fernandez Grande, Rankin beat Garcia 3 and 2, Kelly beat Saura 3 and 2, Patrick halved with Sanchez, Farmer halved with Quiros, Forbes beat Larrazabal 5 and 4, Mackenzie lost to Mata 1 hole, Fox beat Cestino 3 and 2. Singles result - Scotland 51/2, Spain 21/2.
Match position-Scotland 81/2, Spain 31/2.
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