Nicklaus and Sorenstam Global Ambassadors
in push for golf on Olympics' programme

Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam have joined the campaign to put golf back into the Olympics. The International Golf Federation today named the two Hall of Fame legends as Global Ambassadors in support of the bid.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote in Copenhagen next October on whether to add two new sports to the 2016 Olympic Games. The last time golf was on the programme was 1904.
"As a player and now a course designer, I have seen the game of golf enjoy tremendous growth worldwide - and we are seeing the game introduced and grow in new countries and markets every day," said Nicklaus.
"Golf truly embodies the Olympic spirit - with a foundation built upon honour, integrity, dignity and sportsmanship.
"I believe with its inclusion, golf can strengthen the Olympic movement throughout the world. At the same time, it can have a tremendous impact on the growth of golf - where it is a developing sport. I'm pleased to lend my support to the cause."
Sorenstam, who retired as a player last week, stated: "It is an honour and privilege to take an active role in assisting golf's bid to become an Olympic sport.
"Now, as I step aside from competitive golf, a major objective of mine is to help grow the game around the world - and I can think of no better way to grow it than through the Olympics."

Scottish Trainee of the Year Award winners

PGA Scottish Region Trainee of the Year awards were made at this week's Annual Lunch in the Glasgow Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street to the following:

The first-year winner is Kristopher McGowan (Burntisland).
Jonathan Cliff from Murrayfield, Edinburgh takes up where he left off last year, winning the second-year prize this time.
And the third-year recipient is Hilton Park’s David Watt.

Well done, lads! Keep up the good work in 2009.

Aberdeen Town Council prepared to close one
of city's municipal courses to save money

Aberdeen town councillors are prepared to close one of the city's four muncipal golf courses
as part of a further £24million cut back in city services in a belated attempt to balance the books.
Auchmill Golf Club is the only club based at Auchmill golf course and its officials have been given the option of leasing the course from the city or seeing it closed and greenkeeping staff withdrawn.
There is no mention of such a fate for Aberdeen's other municipal courses at Hazlehead, Kings Links and Nigg Bay, so presumably they are making money or breaking even.
Nigg Bay and Hazlehead are similar to Auchmill in that only one club is based at each but there are three clubs with clubhouses at Kings Links - Bon Accord, Caledonian and Northern.

Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Aberdonian's good start to South African Open

Richie Ramsay gets in mood early

and shoots 66 to be joint third

Richie Ramsay shot his best round since he gained European Tour status to be lying joint third at the end of the opening day of the South African Open championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates today.
The Aberdonian, pictured right, returned a six-under-par 66 which included an eagle 3, six birdies and two bogeys.
Starting at the 10th hole, Ramsay put himself in the mood for one of the low scores he has the knack of producing by birdieing the 10th and short 12th. He dropped a shot at the long 13th but came straight back with a 2 at the short 15th and birdies at the 17th and 18th to complete his first nine holes in four-under-par 32.
An eagle 3 at the 530yd fifth hole got him to six under par, which was as good as it got for Ramsay as he bogeyed the short eighth and birdied the ninth for a half of 34.
That put him a shot ahead of the tournament favourite, South African Ernie Els and two behind
Paraguay`s Fabrizio Zanotti who holds a one-shot lead after a “close to perfect” opening eight under par 64.
That was enough for the 25 year old to end the first day a shot clear of European Tour Qualifying School Winner Oskar Henningsson, who made nine birdies and two bogeys in his round of 65.
No fewer than eight players are hot on Henningsson`s heels at six under, with Keith Horne, Gareth Maybin, Ross McGowan, Åke Nilsson, Richie Ramsay, Rory Sabbatini, Jaco Van Zyl and Lee Westwood all signing for rounds of 66.
Paraguay`s Zanotti picked up four shots on the way out but the 25 year old dropped a stroke at the 386 yard 10th.
However, he picked up five shots on the way in to finish his first round a shot clear of the field.
He said: “That was pretty close to perfect. I played great - I have been playing great since Qualifying School and I am feeling good.
“I am very happy with my game at the moment - it was good, the long game and the chipping and putting so I am very happy.
“This is a great tournament. The players are being so well looked after and there is a lot of history and tradition here. The golf course is great as well so I am very comfortable here.
“I am playing with a lot more confidence since Qualifying School. I had a bad season on Tour before that but I managed to change a few things with my posture and it is working very well for me now.”
Henningsson started at the 10th and reached the turn in two under, thanks to a birdie at the 18th, before he picked up six further shots on the way in.
Northern Ireland`s Maybin - beginning his first full season on the European Tour - could have held a slice of the lead but for a double bogey 6 at the ninth, his last hole.
“I hit a poor tee shot and went in the left bunker,” he explained.
“I had a reasonable lie but couldn't bounce it very far, probably got a little greedy and went in the rough and had to hack out and chip on and two putt.”
Until then the Challenge Tour graduate had accumulated eight birdies in his ascent of the leaderboard.
“I played well all day, tee to green, putted well,” he added.
“When I did miss a green, I got it up and down. All in all my game is in pretty good shape.”
South African Sabbatini - looking to continue the fine record home players have at the world's second oldest Open Championship - carded three birdies on the way out and another trio on the back nine without dropping a shot.
“The wind, it was out early and died off,” he said.
“All things considered, it's a great day out there. The course is in great condition and really prepared nicely and set up nicely. There are some low scores out there if you can control the golf ball.”
McGowan`s bogey free round contained four birdies and an eagle three at the par five fifth.
And the Englishman admitted he was delighted to be amongst the early pace setters after missing the cut at the same event last year.
“Last year I got caught up by the wind on the Thursday morning. I shot an 82 then and I guess this has evened it out nicely,” said McGowan, who played the back nine first on day one.
“I started off with seven pars but then picked up nicely. It (the eagle on the fifth) was a nice turning point that lifted me up the leaderboard quite quickly.”
World No. 10 Westwood was another to produce a steady bogey-free round, with three birdies either side of the turn.
“I drove the ball lovely,” said the Englishman.
“I missed one fairway, the second, by about four feet but wasn't far and it was a good line into the flag. It was down the side and hanging up. I was aggressive with the golf course, hit a lot of drivers and irons and rescues.
“I like the golf course. I've always liked playing Jack's golf courses. You can play them conservatively but you are obviously going to have the opportunities to attack the flag. So if you have a good, straight yard, then you can hit driver and get an advantage. I did that, putted quite nicely, got it on line well and made the ones that mattered.”
Horne looked set to take a share of the lead when he completed the first 16 holes of his round in seven under par.
But a double bogey 6 at the penultimate hole saw him drop back, only for him to finish with a birdie at the par five last.
Another South African, Van Zyl, posted seven birdies and a bogey while Swede Nilsson recovered from a seven at the third to card eight birdies in his round.
Scottish amateur champion Callum Macaulay has yet to return an over-par round in his European Tour career (this is his second event). He scored a one-under-par 71 as did Andrew Coltart, Glasgow-born Canada-based Alan McLean and Scott Drummond. Chris Doak had a 72, but David Drysdale had a 74 as did Euan Little.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE FIRST-ROUND TOTALS

South African Open Championship Scoreboard
Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72.
64 Fabrizio Zanotti (Par)
65 Oskar Henningsson (Swe)
66 Richie Ramsay, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), Ake Nilsson (Rsa), Gareth Maybin, Keith Horne (Rsa), Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Lee Westwood, Ross McGowan
67 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Ernie Els (Rsa), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Tim Clark (Rsa), Simon Dyson
68 Chris Wood, Hennie Otto (Rsa), Lee Slattery, Alessandro Tadini (Ita), David Frost (Rsa), James Kamte (Rsa), Albert Pistorius (Rsa)
69 Martin Wiegele (Aut), Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Branden Grace (Rsa), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), George Coetzee (Rsa), Marco Ruiz (Par), Justin Rose, Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Richard Finch, Peter Karmis (Rsa), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Carlos del Moral (Spa)
70 John Mellor, Alvaro Velasco (Spa), Damien McGrane, Garth Mulroy (Rsa), Adilson Da Silva (Bra), Mathias Gronberg (Swe), Magnus A Carlsson (Swe), Rory McIlroy, Adrian Ford (Rsa), Warren Abery (Rsa), Michael Jonzon (Swe), Dion Fourie (Rsa), Michael Hoey, Henrik Stenson (Swe), Anton Haig (Rsa), David Horsey, Estanislao Goya (Arg), Jake Roos (Rsa), Gary Clark, Len Mattiace (USA), Retief Goosen (Rsa), Alan Michell (Rsa)
71 Merrick Bremner (Rsa), Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Rossouw Loubser (Rsa), Anthony Snobeck (Fra), Antti Ahokas (Fin), Callum Macaulay, Alex Haindl (Rsa), Jean Hugo (Rsa), Alan McLean, Andrew Coltart, Scott Drummond, David Lynn, Ryan Tipping (Rsa), Mark Foster
72 Patrik Sjoland (Swe), James Kingston (Rsa), Shaun Norris (Rsa), Bradford Vaughan (Rsa), Johan Edfors (Swe), Tyrone Van Aswegen (Rsa), Bernd Wiesberger (Aut), Trevor Fisher Jnr (Rsa), Neil Schietekat (Rsa), Deane Pappas (Rsa), Titch Moore (Rsa), Christian Cevaer (Fra), Steve Basson (Rsa), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Andrew Curlewis (Rsa), Andre Cruse (Rsa), Marc Cayeux (Zim), Gary Lockerbie, Grant Muller (Rsa), Gary Murphy, Justin Walters (Rsa), Chris Doak, Richard Sterne (Rsa)
73 Brandon Pieters (Rsa), Brett Liddle (Rsa), Robert Dinwiddie, Paul Waring, Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe), Grant Veenstra (Rsa), Christiaan Basson (Rsa), Ariel Canete (Arg), Dylan Frittelli (Rsa), Lorenzo Gagli (Ita), Gavan Levenson (Rsa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
74 Desvonde Botes (Rsa), Dean O'riley (Rsa), Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa), Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Euan Little, Danny Willett, Darren Clarke, Seve Benson, Peter Hanson (Swe), David Drysdale, Tyrone Ferreira (Rsa), Klas Eriksson (Swe), Mark Williams (Rsa), Vaughn Groenewald (Rsa)
75 Joakim Haeggman (Swe), Tc Charamba (Zim), Ryan Cairns (Zim), Bradley Davison (Rsa), Wil Besseling (Ned), Michiel Bothma (Rsa), Sam Walker, Wallie Coetsee (Rsa), Teboho Sefatsa (Rsa), Mark Murless (Rsa), Steve Van Vuuren (Rsa)
76 Nic Henning (Rsa), Ross Wellington (Rsa), Jake Redman (Rsa), Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor), Taco Remkes (Ned), David Dixon, Chris Williams (Rsa), Cameron Johnston (Rsa)
77 Dean Lambert (Rsa), Inder Van Weerelt (Ned), Doug McGuigan, Omar Sandys (Rsa)
78 Alexandre Rocha (Bra), Henk Alberts (Rsa), Josh Cunliffe (Rsa), Derik Ferreira (Rsa)
79 John Bele (Rsa), Mikhail Tewary (Rsa)
80 Thabang Simon (Rsa), Jbe Kruger (Rsa)
81 Heinrich Bruiners (Rsa)
84 Lindani Ndwandwe (Rsa)

Now Harrington tops the Golf Writers'
poll on this side of the Atlantic

Padraig Harrington has won the Golf Writers’ Trophy for the second year in succession. The 37-year-old Irishman, who retained his Open crown and then added the USPGA Championship within three magical weeks in the summer, achieved an overwhelming victory ahead of Sweden’s Robert Karlsson and Annika Sorenstam.
Harrington, who typically is not resting on his laurels and is already working towards his 2009 campaign, becomes only the third player to win the Golf Writers’ Trophy in consecutive years, following Tony Jacklin in 1969 and ’70 and Peter Oosterhuis in 1973 and ’74.
Jacklin won the Open in ’69 and the US Open the following year while Oosterhuis was in the process of winning the European Order of Merit four years in a row.
“It just shows how rare it is to peak two years running,” Harrington said. “To have one great year and win a major is fantastic but to follow it up by winning another two majors this year was beyond anything you could have hoped for.
“What is so satisfying is that in years to come people will look at the trophy and ask, ‘What did he do to win it twice in succession?’ and remember your achievements, just as you look at Tony Jacklin’s name twice and recall his majors or Peter Oosterhuis and his order of merit wins.
“There will be a time I can sit back and enjoy it all but this is not that time. I have really appreciated all the accolades that I have received, especially at this time of year, but I am already back in work mode. I am back in the gym and I had my coach over last week so I am working hard again.”
Harrington has already been named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year as well as collecting the Shot of the Year award for his five-wood to three feet at the 71st hole of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Three weeks later the Dubliner became the first European for 78 years to win the Wanamaker Trophy at the USPGA. Only Colin Montgomerie in 1996 has previously won the triple crown of the Golf Writers’ Trophy, the Golfer of the Year and Shot of the Year awards.
A few days ago Harrington was named Player of the Year by the United States Golf Writers' Association and also by his peers on the US PGA Tour.
One of the hardest working professionals in the game, Harrington says he has come to accept that things outside of his control have played a vital role in his success.
“In each of my three major wins something happened that I could not have bargained for,” he explained. “At Carnoustie it was my son running onto the green on the 72nd hole and taking my mind off what had just happened. At Birkdale it was the wrist injury taking the stress out of defending my title, while at the USPGA I got dehydrated but the rain delay on the Saturday gave me a chance to recover.
“Expectations for next year are going to be higher than ever and that is something I have to manage. In the past I never believed the expectations people had for me and my way of managing that was to underplay them.
“Yet when you become a major champion you put yourself under pressure to play to a higher standard. It was something I struggled with in the first half of the year. Knowing you are doing it is one thing, avoiding it is another.
“My problem is that I can end up being too committed and working too hard, which led to the injury before the Open. But you cannot control everything. You need to find the routine that works for you but know when you have done everything you can. After that you have to go with the flow.
“Next year there is going to be even more attention at the Masters and with the ‘Paddy Slam’. But to go into any tournament and win on demand is very special, let alone at a major. You cannot judge yourself by results in the short term. What if someone else has the week of their life? As long as I stick to the same processes and keep getting myself into contention I am happy to see how it works out.”
The Golf Writers’ Trophy was first awarded in 1951 and honours the individual, born or resident in Europe, or team deemed to have made the most outstanding contribution to golf each year. Harrington took over 90 per cent of first-place votes, with Karlsson, the first Swede to win the European Order of Merit, in second place and Sorenstam, in her last season of full-time competition, in third place.
Also featuring in the poll were the Scotland team which won the Eisenhower Trophy, Spain’s world No.2 Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter, the leading point-scorer at the Ryder Cup and runner-up at the Open.

Zanotti leads South African Open with
a 64 - but only one stroke ahead

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Paraguay`s Fabrizio Zanotti leads European Tour Qualifying School winner Oskar Henningsson by a shot at the South African Open Championship after opening with an eight under par 64.
The 25 year old birdied the last to take the outright lead during the opening day at Pearl Valley Golf Estates to move ahead of Swede Henningsson, who made nine birdies and two bogeys in his round of 65.
No fewer than four players are hot on Henningsson`s heels at six under, with Keith Horne, Ross McGowan, Rory Sabbatini and Jaco Van Zyl all signing for rounds of 66.
Zanotti picked up four shots on the way out but dropped a stroke at the 386 yard tenth.
However, he picked up five shots on the way in to finish his first round a shot clear of the field.
Henningsson started at the tenth and reached the turn in two under thanks to a birdie at the 18th, before he picked up six further shots on the way in.
South African Sabbatini - looking to continue the fine record home players have at the world's second oldest Open Championship - carded three birdies on the way out and another trio on the back nine without dropping a shot.
“The wind, it was out early and died off,” he said.
“All things considered, it's a great day out there. The course is in great condition and really prepared nicely and set up nicely. There are some low scores out there if you can control the golf ball.”
McGowan`s bogey free round contained four birdies and an eagle three at the par five fifth.
And the Englishman admitted he was delighted to be amongst the early pace setters after missing the cut at the same event last year.
“Last year I got caught up by the wind on the Thursday morning. I shot an 82 then and I guess this has evened it out nicely,” said McGowan, who played the back nine first on day one.
“I started off with seven pars but then picked up nicely. It (the eagle on the fifth) was a nice turning point that lifted me up the leaderboard quite quickly.”
Horne looked set to take a share of the lead when he completed the first 16 holes of his round in seven under par.
But a double bogey six at the penultimate hole saw him drop back, only for him to finish with a birdie at the par five last.
Another South African, Van Zyl, posted seven birdies and a bogey.
FULL REPORT AND SCOREBOARD AT THE END OF THE DAY'S PLAY

Why can't Tiger Woods/caddie Williams

say SORRY to Phil Mickelson?

FROM THE TIMES GOLF WEBSITE
By JOHN HOPKINS
So, peace has broken out in California between Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Steve Williams, Woods's caddie. Golf's big two players have communicated with one another and Woods was obviously trying to make amends for the rude remarks Williams had made about Mickelson a few days earlier. Woods has spoken to Williams, who is in New Zealand, too, and confirmed that Williams will remain as his caddie next year.
"I have communicated with Phil. We have discussed it. We all regret it. It's over and done with" Woods said on the eve of the Chevron World Challenge, a tournament that raises money for the Tiger Woods Foundation that he has hosted for the past ten years. Woods is not playing in this event this year for the first time because he is recovering from surgery to his left knee.
But is this the end of the affair? I do not think so. How will Mickelson feel the next time he sees Williams? What will Williams say when the two meet? How will all three men behave when Woods is paired with Mickelson in a forthcoming tournament as he surely will be? How does Mickelson feel now, for that matter?
There are many things Woods can ordain. He can win the US Open on one or one and a half legs while concealing to the world at large just how bad his injured left leg was. He can win 13 other major championships. He can will putts into the hole. He can hole outrageous chips and sink long curling putts. But can he cause this furore to die down?
Mickelson has come out of this story with his image enhanced. He made a courteous response to Williams's comments, praising his own caddie and thereby implying that all the things Jim McKay was, Steve Williams wasn't. It might have been better still if he had maintained silence but since he decided to respond he did so with dignity.
Woods, on the other hand, has not come out of this well. He has communicated (note not spoken. Did he do it by fax or letter?) to Mickelson, which is the least he should have done. But he gives little impression of being annoyed by Williams's comments. Even his statement was notably non-censorious of his caddie. He used the words "disappointed" and "inappropriate" but that is all.
Williams may feel that he was let down when remarks he thought were made at a private function were reported in a New Zealand newspaper. He should know better. The second or third highest earning sportsman in New Zealand, he is a public figure and these days such people are fair game. And if he is going to tell stories then he might get his facts right. The player in question in that story about the 16th hole at the US Open was not Mickelson but Colin Montgomerie and it had happened in the 2002 US Open not the 2008 event.
A puzzling aspect of this episode is the reluctance by Woods and Williams to say sorry. What is so difficult about saying that five-letter word. We would have thought more of Woods and Williams if one or both had apologised or shown rather more contrition or indeed any contrition. Then the issue might have been put to bed.
Now it won't be. Instead the impression is left that Williams was merely articulating something that he and Woods believe in and probably laugh about a lot when they are together on one of their runs or on a practice round.
This may well be the case but Woods should not allow that impression to become widespread. Williams behaved like an oik and Woods was not much better. He is not demonstrating manners that are becoming of the world number one

Inverness Fairway Target League Play-off

Back row left to right – Billy MacMillan. Ali Tough, Jamie Gordon & Darren MacIver (all from the Luckless Leadbetters) and Jamie Treasurer (Loch Ness Juniors)
Front row left to right – Gordon Ross, Graeme Wilson, Barry Wilson & Bobby Wilson (the Neverwillbees)
Standing in the middle is Ryan Wilson (also from the Neverwillbees) holding his trophy from Loch Ness Golf Club for winning the nine-hole club championship this summer. He couldn’t make the annual prizegiving in October so he was presented with it last night along with the Target Golf.

Change of fortune for Luckless Leadbetters

By NEIL HAMPTON
In the Top Team Play-off all four teams rose to the challenge and there was certainly no hint of stage fright. A score of 45 is usually quite good in target golf but this year it was distant fourth place and the Neverwillbees can be proud to be Monday League Champions instead.
Home team Fairways scored 75, one of their best scores this year, but only good enough for third place. In second were the Loch Ness Juniors with a score of 82 but the runaway winners were the hot favourites, the Luckless Leadbetters, who hit three figures with a magnificent score of 107 to put their name on the Bank of Scotland Trophy for the first time.
The team captain also had their scoring boots on with 7 out of 11 making it into double figures. Joint third were Andy Brown (Coastguards) and Neil Hampton (BM Trucks) with 15, second place went to Matthew MacPherson who had his own team on Monday nights. But the runaway winner was Jamie Treasurer of the Loch Ness Juniors who made up for the disappointment of being runners up in both the Monday League and the Top Team Play-off by scoring 30 shots and getting his name on the Fairways Leisure Cup for a second time.

Jamie Treasurer (Loch Ness GC Juniors) 30
Matthew MacPherson (Matthew MacPherson) 22
Andy Brown (Coastguards) 15
Neil Hampton (BM Trucks) 15
Barry Wilson (Neverwillbees) 13
Darren Hunt (Tag Team) 12
Dave Mitchell (Sainties) 11
James Balloch (Pat’s Pets) 9
Kevin Dick (Fairways) 8
Ali Tough (Luckless Leadbetters) 7
Andy Leil (Trilight) 0

The Fairways Spring League tees off on MONDAY, JANUARY 12.

Front to Basic - Aussie leads Volvo
Masters of Asia with six-under 66

Bangkok, December 18: Neven Basic of Australia snatched the first round lead at the US$750,000 Volvo Masters of Asia with a superb six-under-par 66 on Thursday, days after a nerve-wracking wait to know the fate of his career.
The 30-year-old Australian produced a blemish-free card at Thai Country Club to lead by two shots from Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang and Adam Blyth of Australia in the Asian Tour’s season-ending tournament.
Lin, one of this season’s success stories with two wins, and Blyth shot bogey-free 68s while Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, runner-up in Cambodia last weekend, was amongst those lying a further shot back.
Australians Marcus Both and Tony Carolan and South African veteran Hendrik Buhrmann also shot 69s to lie three off the pace.
Basic endured a nervous wait after missing the halfway cut in last week’s Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open as he was in 65th place on the Order of Merit, which was the cut-off mark to qualify for the Volvo Masters of Asia and more importantly earn full playing rights for 2009.
Fortunately for Basic, his rivals failed to overhaul him on the rankings.
“I am a lot more relaxed this week. It was a bit stressful in Cambodia and it is good to be able to go out and just play golf here. I just sat in my hotel room over the weekend and watched the live scores on the internet. It was quite stressful but I’m relieved now,” he said.
A five iron tee shot set him up for an opening birdie at the par three third hole which got his game into gear. Basic registered five more birdies to take pole position on day one but knows it is still a long race ahead in his hopes for a maiden Asian Tour title.
“I got into contention through two rounds at four or five events over the past year and a half and I’m going to take those experiences with me. I just need to relax and play. If it happens, it happens. You can’t force it to happen as it will normally end up in disaster,” said Basic, who has five top-10s in his two seasons in the region.
Lin has two goals this week - win the Volvo Masters of Asia and claim a place in the world’s top-50 which will come with a prized ticket to the US Masters next April.
A two-week break at home gave Lin’s injured shoulder time to heal and he was flawless with four birdies on the card. “I’m feeling good. I had four lip-outs for birdies but it was still a good round,” said Lin, winner of the UBS Hong Kong Open and the Asian Tour International in Thailand this season.
“Getting into the top-50 is in my mind. I am thinking about it but I have to keep my tempo on the golf course. I’m still feeling good after winning in Hong Kong (last month),” added Lin, who is ranked second on the Order of Merit and 51st in the world.
Blyth is enjoying his career best season where he is 16th on the rankings. With father Stephen on the bag, he launched his title assault with four birdies, although he was disappointed not to have birdied any of the par fives.
“We’re trying to win. I feel we’re getting closer. It’s just a matter of time. You just have to wait for it to be yours. I’m playing good enough and we’ll see at the end of the week if I’m good enough,” said Blyth.
Singaporean Lam extended his recent run of good form with a roller-coaster 69, which included seven birdies and four bogeys. “I’m starting to get my act together and play some golf,” said Lam, who is making his Volvo Masters of Asia debut.
“I’m happy with how it’s gone this year. Hopefully, there are another three more good rounds left in me. Playing well at the Barclays Singapore Open gave me the confidence that I was looking for. It showed that I could keep up with some of the best players in the world and it gave me the confidence to know that if I played well, I could actually win,” said Lam.
Thai star Thongchai Jaidee’s bid for an unprecedented third straight victory got off to a sluggish start as he carded a 73 while title holder Prayad Marksaeng was one shot higher to end the day in tied 46th place in the elite 68-man field.
Thongchai, a double Asian Tour number one and two-time Volvo Masters of Asia champion, lamented tough conditions at Thai Country Club. “The greens are very hard and it is difficult to stop the ball on them. It was windy in the afternoon, which made it harder – the players who were out in the morning had better conditions,” he said.
FIRST-ROUND LEADERS
66 Neven Basic (AUS)
68 Adam Blyth (AUS), Lin Wen-tang (TPE)
69 Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA), Tony Carolan (AUS), Mrcus Both (AUS), Lm Chih Bing (SIN)
70 Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Andrew Dodt (AUS), Gavin Flint (AUS), Mitchell Brown (AUS), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Gaurav Ghei (IND)
71 Danny Chia (MAS), Dinesh Chand (FIJ), Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), Shiv Kapur (IND), Chawalit Plaphol (THA), Chapchai Nirat (THA), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND)
72 Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Rick Kulacz (AUS), Wang Ter-chang (TPE), David Bransdon (AUS), Rashid Khan [A] (IND), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Chris Rodgers
(ENG), Rhys Davies (WAL)


For further information, please contact Asian Tour’s Chuah Choo Chiang at tel: +663 8570987. Also visit www.asiantour.com for live scoring.

Morayshire golfing estate well above par, courses designed by Euan McIntosh

A design for one of the 40 houses to be built on the Maverston Highland Estate, Morayshire.

A golf course on which only Maverston Highland Estate residents can play.

Morayshire golfing estate well above par,
courses designed by Euan McIntosh

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY FIFTH RING
INTEGRATED CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Highland estate living – complete with exclusive, private golf courses - in one of the most picturesque regions of Scotland is within reach following the announcement of a unique development in Moray.
Forty luxury properties, built with state-of-the-art environmentally friendly features, are to be built at Maverston Highland Estate, which lies between the beautiful Moray Firth coast and the world-renowned Cairngorms National Park – one of the last great natural wilderness areas in Western Europe.
With two private golf courses and an incredible feeling of space, Maverston is unlike any other housing vision in the country.
The concept
Maverston Highland Estate is an ambitious project. Set in 126 hectares of Scottish countryside, the stunning homes can be built to the buyer’s individual specifications – providing prospective home owners with the opportunity to build their very own “grand design” and working with award-winning architect Ian Duncan to produce their dream home (subject to planning permission).
The unique feature that sets Maverston Highland Estate above many top-class housing developments is the establishment of its own, exclusive 18-hole golf course. Euan McIntosh, one of the most exciting young course designers in Scotland, has designed the course. There is also a nine-hole ‘wee course’, which offers superb practice facilities.
The location offers a wonderful natural environment, lending itself perfectly to outdoor pursuits such as rambling, shooting, fishing, horse riding, sailing, and of course, golf. Yet it is only five miles away from the charming Royal Burgh of Elgin, with its traditional country shops and modern-day supermarkets and conveniences. The development is under an hour of Inverness airport for national and international links. The Moray Firth coast enjoys some of the lowest average rainfall in the British Isles.
Maverston Highland Estate not only offers beautiful homes and a great golf course, it also offers a great opportunity to meet new people. The clubhouse will act as the social hub for residents and their guests.
Maverston Highland Estate is the fruition of a partnership between architects firm Ian Duncan Developments Ltd and the ANM Group Ltd, which owns and runs a portfolio of diversified businesses.
ANM Group chief executive Brian Pack added: “It is a unique concept to the UK, we are sure the houses will be greatly sought after, particularly among those who love golf.
Mr Pack added: “The golf courses will be private and only available for Maverston property owners and their guests with the annual upkeep shared between the householders.
He continued: “We are creating a high amenity community in a superb location, with plenty of freedom for residents to roam, play golf all year round on a quality course, or practice on a par-three course and enjoy their own clubhouse.”
The golf course will be supported by a maintenance fee from each household on the estate, however, Maverston will not only be for those who love the game of golf. Many people will be attracted by the beauty a golf course and landscaped grounds has to offer (each house will have its own grounds up to a maximum of two acres, ensuring privacy and tranquillity).
Maverston Highland Estate is likely to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. Many younger families will be attracted by tranquil surroundings and a beautiful home to enjoy while not at the office. Older couples will like the idea of a private estate that is ideal for retirement.
The courses
With a total yardage of 6,330 yards and a par of 72, the 18-hole course is intended to be challenging yet enjoyable for the enthusiast. Utilising the natural terrain, abundant blackthorn and hawthorn bushes and existing woodland comprising ancient Scots Pine, Silver Birch and Downy Birch trees, the course is set in a stunning landscape with the Moray Firth to the north and east and offers spectacular views to the south where the imposing Cairngorm mountain range rises from the coastal plain.
The nine-hole par-3 course has a total yardage of 1,237 yards and is an ideal way to practise a short game and enjoy a relaxing couple of hours.
Euan McIntosh is the director of Golf Services Scotland. Euan, 25, studied in the United States on a golf scholarship and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth with an honours degree in Business Management. Euan has represented Scotland as a player and is now making a name for himself as a golf course designer.
Out with the privacy of your own golf course, the Highland’s boast some of the world’s finest courses with two championship courses at nearby Nairn, the old and new course at Moray, Elgin’s parkland or the scenic holes of Cawdor Castle. For those who like to venture further, Royal Aberdeen, which hosted the British Senior Open in 2007, the Old Course and New Castle Course at St. Andrews are within two hours South of the Estate.
Work is well under way on the golf course and clubhouse. The golf course was seeded in October 2007 ready for play in Spring 2009 and the clubhouse is expected to be built by early 2009. A show home is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2009.
The houses
The houses will be constructed of timber, and/or traditional Scottish harl and glass to walls and natural slate to roofs to allow the homes to complement the natural surroundings and allow an abundance of light into each home. Architect Ian Duncan has delivered 16 unique designs – offering an unparalleled level of choice.
These fabulous houses will vary in price according to individual’s demands. Each spacious four or five bedroom home can be designed to meet the client’s specifications – promising flexibility on a whole new level.
The houses boast an array of environmental features including geo-thermal heating – reducing energy consumption by up to 75% - solar panels, under floor heating, high levels of thermal insulation, triple glazing combined with high tech glass, whole house heat recovery and ventilation system and thermally broken window frames.
Award-winning architect Ian said: “With only 40 houses and access to a private golf course this exciting new development is, we believe, unique to the UK. Using mainly eco-friendly materials, buyers will have the opportunity to create their own grand design (subject to planning approval). I look forward to working alongside homebuyers to create their ideal property and creating an exquisite home to live in.”
To find out more about Maverston Highland Estate, to request a brochure or register your interest log on at http://www.maverston.com/ or call 01467 623850.

Tiger reprimands caddie Williams - but has
not sacked him for insulting Mickelson

Tiger Woods has reprimanded caddie Steve Williams - but he has not sacked him for the insulting remarks he made about Phil Mickelson at a charity function in his native New Zealand.
Woods told reporters yesterday:
"What ended up happening is that I communicated with Phil, and we have discussed it. I have also talked to Stevie about it, and he feels bad what happened. At this point, that it happened at all is something that none of us really wanted to have happen. But it's over and done with, and we put it to bed."
Woods was asked if Williams will be on his bag when he makes a comeback next year following knee surgery.
"Yes, he will," Woods replied.
Then he paused.
"I don't know what he'll be carrying yet, but ... " he added with a smile.
It was unclear whether Woods was referring to the end of his corporate sponsorship with Buick -- its logo has been on his bag for the last nine years -- or if he was going to make sure the bag was extra heavy.

Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance greensomes

Watson and Campbell win Richardson &
Brownlee Trophy over Braids No 1

By KEITH LITTLE
Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance secretary
On a very cold and windy day at the Braid Hills No.1 golf course, 55 pairs played in the annual Invitational Greensomes event this week.
Scott Watson (Leven) and Colin Campbell (Dundas Park) were the winners of the Richardson and Brownlee Trophy with a net 67.8, playing off a 7.2 handicap.
Winners in the scratch section were Tommy Wilson and Mark Hislop (both Glenbervie) with a level par round of 70. Out in one over par 35, a birdie at the first was cancelled out by dropped shots at the fifth and ninth holes.
Two further shots were dropped at the 10th and 13th, but three fine birdies at the 11th, 16th and 17th saw them back in one under par 35.
Professional David Patrick (Elie) and his amateur partner Andrew Hogg (Mortonhall) were second with 71. In third place were professional Alastair McLean and amateur partner Keith Miller (both Duddingston) with a 72.
In the handicap section Scott Watson and Colin Campbell played very steadily. They dropped shots at the fourth, sixth, seventh, ninth, 12th and 17th before finishing off in style with a birdie 3 at the last.
Professional Andrew Marshall (Houston GR) and his amateur partner Jim Wilson (Deer Park) were second with 68.4.
Amateurs Robert Denholm and Ian Stavert (both Duddingston) were third with 70.2.
I'd like to say thank you to John Menzies and the staff of Edinburgh Leisure for hosting the event, Sylvia and Ronnie who looked after all of us so well in the Harrison GC clubhouse and Alliance members Justin White and Stevie Doyle for their help behind the scenes.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing you at Gullane No.3 on January 14, when we will be playing for the John Glen Trophy.

LEADING RETURNS IN RICHARDSON & BROWNLEE TROPHY

SCRATCH
1 (£50 each) Tommy Wilson (Glenbervie) & Mark Hislop (Glenbervie) 70.
2 (£30 each) David Patrick (Elie) & Andrew Hogg (Mortonhall) 71.
3 (£20 each) Alastair McLean (Duddingston) & Keith Millar (Duddingston) 72.
4 Andrew Marshall (Houston GR) & Jim Wilson (Deer Park) 72.
5 Hunter Bootland & Stuart Smith (Duddingston) 73.
5 Neil Colquhoun & Callum Robertson (Merchants) 73.
7 Roy Murray & Edward Thomson (Senit Associte4s) 74.
7 Scott Catlin & Ian Catline (Langlands) 74.
9 Robert Denholm & Ian Stavert (Duddingston) 74.
10 Justin White & Scott Knowles (Harrison) 75.
10 Andrew Wight & Neil Shillinglaw (Glencorse) 75.
12 Peter Mitchell & Colin Davidson (Turnhouse) 76
12 Scott Walker & Craig Galloway (Harburn) 76.
12 George Wither & Stuart Robertson (Lothianburn) 76.
15 Stuart Callan & Callum Nisbet (Bathgate) 77.
16 Hugh Fraser & Scott Johnston (Turnhouse) 78.
16 Willie Laing & Joe Riddell (Prestonfield) 78.
16 Duncan Ireland & Bren Ford (Lochend) 78.
16 Peter Lamb & Jordan Lamb (Peebles) 78.
20 John Wardrop & John Pryde (Niddry Castle) 79.
20 Ian Marshall & Jim Smith (Baberton) 79.
20 Mike Thomson & John Denham (Torwoodlee) 79.
20 Ian Taylor & Sam Collings (Royal Burgess) 79.
20 Harry Cartmill & Cameron Barrie (Kilspindie) 79.
20 Gordon Gilhooley & Alan Robson (Burntisland) 79.
20 Stevie Lamb & Bob Bullivant (Innerleithen) 79.
HANDICAP
(prizes in vouchers)
1 (£50 each) Scott Watson (Leven) & Colin Campbell (Dundas Park) (7.2) 67.8.
2 (£40 each) Andrew Marshall (Houston GR) & Jim Wilson (Deer Park) 68.4.
3 (£30 each) Robert Denholm (Duddingston) & Ian Stavert (Duddingston) 70.2.
4 (£10 each) Tom Adams (Aberdour) & Ricky Carrigan (Castle Park) 71.2.
4 (£10 each) Roy Murray (West Lothian) & Edward Thomson (Senit Associates) 71.2.
4 (£10 each) Scott Catlin (Greenburn) & Ian Catlin (Langlands) 71.2.
7 Willie Laing & Joe Riddell (Prestonfield) (6.4) 71.6.
8 Hinton Bootland & Stuart Smith (Duddingston) (1.2) 71.8.
8 Neil Colquhoun & Callum Robertson (Merchants) 1.2) 71.8.
10 Alastair McLean & Keith Millar (Duddingston) (scr) 72.
11 Duncan Ireland & Bren Ford (Lochend) (5.8) 72.2.
12 John Wardrop & John Pryde (Niddry Castle) (6.4) 72.6.
13 Hugh Fraser & Scott Johnston (Turnhouse) (4.8) 73.2.
13 Ian Marshall & Jim Smith (Baberton) (5.8) 73.2.
13 Paul Greenlaw & Ian Woodyer (West Linton) (9.8) 73.2.
13 Gordon Gilhooley & Alan Robson (Burntisland) (5.8) 73.2.
17 Stevie Lamb & Bob Bullivant (Innerleithen) (5.6) 73.4.
17 George Wither & Stuart Robertson (Lothianburn) (2.6) 73.4.
17 Stuart Callan & Callum Nisbet (Bathgate) (3.6) 73.4.
20 Harry Cartmill & Cameron Barrie (Kilspindie) (5.4) 73.6.
20 Scott Walker & Craig Galloway (Harburn) (2.4) 73.6.
22 Andrew Wight & Neil Shillinglaw (Glencorse) (1.0) 74.
23 David Jeffery & Sandy Garvie (Kilspindie) (9.8) 74.2.
23 Stewart Downing & David Downing (Duddingston) (5.8) 74.2.
25 Willie Marr & Douglas Raeburn (West Lothian) (9.4) 74.6.
26 Peter Mitchell & Colin Davidson (Turnhouse) (1.2) 74.8.