Dunbar Tour school hopes hang in balance

Irish amateur star Alan Dunbar finished just one shot off the bottom of the leaderboard after yesterday’s first round of European Tour second stage qualifying at Lumine Golf & Beach Club in north-east Spain.

The British Amateur champion, one of 16 Irish golfers playing in qualifying events at four courses across Spain, is tied for 73rd place following a four-over-par 75, a full 11 strokes behind early leader Liam Bond from Wales.

On the flip side, Ballinasloe’s Mark Staunton shone on the same course, making four birdies in a three-under-par 68 for a share of ninth place going into today’s second round. Niall Kearney (70) and Jonathan Caldwell (72) both produced steady starts in their quest for a qualifying berth.