E-MAIL FROM AMERICA

Banchory teenager James Byrne made his debut for Arizona State University last week, as reported on Scottishgolfview.com

Here James, still only 18, gives us an insight on his new life on the American college golf circuit:

COLLEGE TOURNAMENT COURSES

ARE TOUGH, COMPETITION IS

STRONG ... BUT FIRST MONTH AT

ARIZONA STATE HAS BEEN GREAT

By JAMES BYRNE

I would like to perhaps add to your Scottishgolfview.com article by telling you a little about the tournament last week. Although I struggled at times I scored a lot worse than I played. The course was set up with US Open pin placements, and the greens were running at about 13 on the stimp.

We played 36 holes straight on the Saturday, which was pretty mentally straining. I also played the first hole with 15 clubs in the final round, which wasn't ideal.
The standard of college golf is strong in America, and I would go as far to say the main collegiate events are stronger than the big European amateur events eg. St Andrews Links Trophy.

It is hard to describe by E-mail how good Rickie Fowler's 63 was in the 2nd round. The American Walker Cup player tied the course record set by Vijay Singh (US Open 2003) with the same pins and gusts of nearly 30 mph. He birdied the final two holes.

Next week we play at Cal Berkeley and the field is slightly weaker and the course a little easier. I'm pretty confident we (Arizona State) can win.
My first month at ASU has been great. Not ideal having to fly back for the home internationals and the Jacques Leglise Trophy match, but I'm pretty much settled in now. We have some of the best practice facilities in the country and it's only 500 yards from my dorm.

There are currently 11 guys on our team, and it's likely we will be bringing in Bjorn Akesson, and possibly Victor Dubuisson of France next fall. Tough competition for only five places in the team, but good for my game.
Hope that gives you an idea of how tough it is out here. The courses we play are good and tough enough for the PGA tour, and even major championships. We play Isleworth Country Club (Tiger's place) in a couple weeks. Good preparation for life on the Tour.
Cheers,
James Byrne