Five share top spot in the alliance

IN ONE of the tightest finishes in recent North-east Golfers' Alliance history, five players tied for first place on level-par 67 in yesterday's competition at Inverallochy.

First man out John Mitchell (Fraserburgh) set the early clubhouse target of 67 and it was not beaten by anyone else in the field of 83 competitors.

It was equalled at irregular intervals by Scottish seniors match-play champion George Paterson (Northern), Kevin Duncan (Ellon), former US college circuit player Scott Larkin (Banchory) and Oldmeldrum club professional Hamish Love.

Mike Booth, a 12-handicapper at Kemnay, had the lowest net score of 60. He won the Class 2 section by seven strokes.

Scotland international team-mates Pamela Prets-well (Bothwell Castle), a Glasgow University student, and Alford's Laura Murray are the only Scots in the field for the Portuguese women's amateur international golf championship.

The tournament starts today over the Oceanico O'Connor junior course at Amendoeira Golf Resort on the Algarve.

The field of 90 includes other Curtis Cup team contenders Danielle McVeigh (Ireland), Holly Clyburn (England) and Amy Boulden (Wales) among 19 entrants from Britain and Ireland.