I had the pleasure of a game with at North Berwick with the new Scottish Mens’ Amateur Champion, Cameron Adam, whose home club is at Royal Burgess. Cameron is connected to East Lothian by being involved in the Watson Cup matches v. South Carolina in 2022, when Players from both East Lothian and Edinburgh Junior Leagues combined. For the full story of Cameron’s great win in the Scottish, see Martin Dempster’s reports here and here.
Before the game at North Berwick, Cameron was welcomed by Pro Martyn Huish, who was a Vice-Captain in the Watson Cup. Martyn, who was aware that Cameron had broken both Course records at Dornoch and Tain with rounds of 63 during the qualifying rounds for the Scottish Amateur, reminded Cameron that the course record at North Berwick was 63. OK then, that was the challenge for Cameron!
Cameron and I, both wearing our Watson Cup kit, played against another of my guests, a USGA Rules official and scratch Player, Bryan Lewis, and NB member Kerr Docherty. Handicap strokes had to be negotiated, and as Cameron was off +6, Bryan received 5 strokes, whilst Kerr and I each received 12 strokes. After a birdie 3 at the 1st hole, a visit to the beach on the 2nd hole brought Cameron an up-and-down par. A bogey appeared early in the round at hole 3, but with birdies at holes 5 and 9, Cameron had scored 34, 2 under par on the front 9. There was a gentle following wind for the back 9, so Cameron reached the par 5 11th with a drive and 8 iron, and then holed a chip from the edge of the green. Cameron’s drive over the hill to the 14th green led to an easy birdie but this was cancelled out by a 3 putt at the 15th on the slick downhill green. After 2 great birdies with putts from close range at the 16th and 17th, Cameron was asked how he was scoring. He said immediately that he needed an eagle 2 at the 18th to score 63 but his long iron tee shot, drilled low, ran off the back of the green. After a poor chip by his standards, Cameron holed a 20 footer for a birdie and a back 9 of 30. So his total was 64! Well done Cameron.
Cameron has now returned to Chicago where he attends Northwestern University. We wish him luck in his future golfing exploits. Dave Warren, League Secretary.
Photos below:- Cameron on the 1st Green just before his 1st birdie.
Cameron, Bryan and Dave with Martyn.
Cameron’s scores.
Cameron, with Dave, Kerr and Bryan.