Dawson just ace at Woodhall Spa
Robin Dawson during the recent Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Royal County Down. Picture by Pat Cashman
Brabazon Trophy — Tramore's Robin Dawson made on of four holes-in-one recorded at the fifth as he opened with a 68 to lie just two off the lead in the Brabazon Trophy at Woodhall Spa.
The Waterford man birdied the second, then bogeyed the fourth before bouncing back in perfect style at the fifth by holing an eight iron from 163 yards for his one.
Further birdies at the 13th, 14th and 18th, Dawson ended the day tied for fourth on five-under-par, just two strokes behind leader Todd Clements from Braintree, whose 66 gave him a one-shot lead over Lytham Trophy winner Jack Singh Brar and Frenchman Andre Fuchs.
Naas' Conor O'Rourke was two-over with five to play but picked up four shots coming in to shoot a two-under 71 that was good enough for a tie for 16th with Kevin Le Blanc and John Ross Galbraith.
While Tiarnan McLarnon, Colm Campbell and Colin Fairweather shot level par 73s, Alex Gleeson had little luck on the greens as he posted a 76.
As for Rowan Lester (77) and Conor Purcell (79), they only returned from college duty in the US in recent days.
Purcell played for Portmarnock in the Barton Shield qualifier at St Margaret's last weekend.
Brabazon Trophy. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin), Par 73
1 England CLEMENTS, Todd Braintree Golf Club-7 66
T4 DAWSON , Robin Tramore -5 68
T16 O’ROURKE, Conor Naas Golf Club -2 71
T16 GALBRAITH, John Ross Whitehead -2 71
T16 LEBLANC , Kevin The Island -2 71
T34 MCLARNON , Tiarnan Massereene Par 73
T34 CAMPBELL , Colm Warrenpoint Par 73
T34 FAIRWEATHER , Colin Knock Par 73
T73 GLEESON , Alex Castle +3 76
T87 LESTER, Rowan Hermitage +4 77
T110 PURCELL, Conor Portmarnock +6 79
