Swings and roundabouts in Scottish pro circles

Alan Tait moves to Marriott Dalmahoy

Alan Tait is the new Director of Golf at Marriott Dalmahoy near Edinburgh.
Tait has held similar positions at Westerwood Hotel, The Carrick at Loch Lomond and the Spey Valley course at Aviemore in recent years after quitting the Tartan Tour.
John Murray has left Gleneagles to replace the long-serving and now retired Alistair Thomson as head professional at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth.
Ron Walker has taken up the head professional's job at Lundin Links after a spell at The Duke's course, St Andrews.
He succeeds David Webster, winner of the Northern Open at Murcar in 1968 as an assistant professional and, in the same year, 21st in the Open at Carnoustie behind winner Gary Player.
David is now 62 and ended a 41-year-old connection with Lundin Links, 35 of them as head professional, last month.

Two views from Stonehaven golf course. On right the 18th green, Stonehaven Bay and the field where a new clubhouse could be built. Below the 17th green.

Stonehaven GC land-swap

deal with Stewart Milne

Homes on the cards

Stonehaven Golf Club, one of the oldest in Scotland, is considering selling part of its course in a land-swap deal with a major house developer.
Talks have been going on for some months between the 120-year-old golf club and Stewart Milne Homes.
SMH hold a development option on a 20-acre field to the south of the present golf clubhouse and the company wants to exchange that land for part of the existing golf course.
The talks have been going on in strict confidence but came into the public domain only recently when SMH lodged a document with Aberdeenshire Council’s planning department, indicating the company’s desire to build houses not only on the golf course land but also on the Mains of Cowie Farm.
This would be the first significant housing development to the north of Stonehaven and SMH wants it included in the council’s Local Plan which is being compiled at present and will run from 2011.
Harry Roulston, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, captain of Stonehaven Golf Club, confirmed that the club knew of the SMH submission to the council.
“For many years, the club has been interested in acquiring the field to the south of our course,” he said. “But the Cowie Estates, who own the field, were never able to reach agreement with their tenant farmer.
“Now, however, Stewart Milne Homes hold a development option on the entire farm, including the field we are interested in, which is why we started talking with them some months ago. It is very unlikely that they would ever get permission to build houses there as it is zoned for recreational use but they feel they could get permission to build on our land on the west side of the railway line.
“We have four holes there – 9, 10, 11 and 12 – and our plan would be to swap that area for the Mains of Cowie field, with a substantial cash balance to the club.
“That would enable us to build a new clubhouse, with the best of facilities for our members and visitors. It would be much nearer town than our present clubhouse, which would give us the ability to attract more local people, including other clubs and organisations, to our clubhouse to enjoy its facilities.
“It would also make our course a true clifftop course because holes nine to 12 at present are somewhat out of character with the rest of the course.
“We are taking advice on a re-design of the course from one of the leading designers in Scotland and he is currently in the process of drafting possibilities for a new-look course.”
Mr Roulston added: “I would stress that nothing at all has been decided or finalised. Our members have been informed in general terms about what is going on and, under our constitution, nothing can be done until our members are fully informed and until they actually approve it with a vote.
“All the club council is doing at present is looking at sensible plans for the future. Our club is having a tough time at present financially, like all golf clubs, and it is vital for our future that we improve what we have to offer members and visitors.
“We’ve been playing golf on the Braes of Cowie since 1888 and we want to continue doing that for several more generations ahead.
“Our current clubhouse sits on a magnificent site but it is old-fashioned in many ways and needs a total revamp, which is very difficult to do on that site. We believe our best option is to build a new clubhouse nearer the town, which would still have the superb views and would also have the most modern facilities for our members and visitors and be more accessible from town.”

James Hepworth leads Asian Tour Q
School with a nine-under-par 63

PRESS RELEASE
Rayong, January 6: England's James Hepworth blasted a solid nine-under-par 63 for the opening round lead at the Asian Tour's Qualifying School presented by Sports Authority of Thailand today.
The Englishman conquered the course in the Qualifying School First Stage at the Lam Luk Ka Country Club for a two stroke lead over Australia's Jason Norris.
Compatriot Peter Martin posted a 67 to lie in lone third place while Malaysia's Marcus Low was in a tie for fourth place after a 69 alongside Australian duo of Michael Moore and Stuart Lunn-Walker.
At the Rayong Green Valley Country Club, Australia's Heath Reed shot a 66 for a narrow one stroke advantage over Korea's Cho Min-joon. Japan's Mitsunobu Fukunaga, local golfer Narinrit Tantrakul and Australia's Scott Arnold were in joint third place after firing matching 68s.
At St Andrews 2000, Ireland's Eddie Barr recorded a 68 and took charge at the top of the leaderboard. He was a stroke ahead of Korea's Hwang Hyeon-Cheol who was in second spot.
Korea's Young Hoon-ryu, Sweden's Lars Johansson, Australian duo of Matthew Ballard and Christopher Campbell together with England's Ally Mellor posted matching 70s to lie in a tie for third position.
From each of the first stage venues, the top 20 per cent finishers after four rounds will join an already exempted 91 players in the Final Stage next week.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES

LAM LU KA (Par 72)
63 James Hepworth (Eng).
65 Jason Norris (Aus).
67 Peter Martin (Aus).
68 Stuart Lunn Walker (Aus), Marcus Low (Malaysia), Michael Moore (Aus).
Selected scores:
69 Matthew King (Eng).
70 Jonathan Evans (Eng), Steve Parry (Eng).
71 Justin Evans (Eng), Craig Smith (Wal).
73 Mitchell Slorach (Sco) (jt 52nd).
78 Ross Dixon (Sco) (jt 98th).
81 Sandy Mitchell (Sco) (jt 110th).

ST ANDREWS (Par 73)
68 Eddie Barr (Ire).
69 Hwang Hyron-Cheol (SKo).
70 Young Hoon-Ryu (SKo), Lars Johansson (Swe) Matthew Ballard (Aus), Christopher Campbell (Aus), Ally Mellor (Eng).
Selected scores:
71 James Sheffield (Eng), Michael Arden (Eng).

GREEN VALLEY (Par 72)
66 Heath Reed (Aus).
67 Cho Min-Joon (SKo), Narinrit Tantrakul (Thai), Scott Arnold (Aus).
Selected scores:
69 John Parry (Eng).
70 Grant Jackson (Eng), Mark Mouland (Wal).
75 Mark Lamb (Sco).

High hopes of North-east Alliance golfers being

back in action at

Craibstone tomorrow

The first North-east Golfers' Alliance competition of the year is expected to go ahead as planned at Craibstone Golf Centre tomorrow.

"The weather forecast suggests that we will be able to resume playing after the mid-winter break," said secretary Ron Menzies, pictured on right.

"There will probably be some winter greens in use but we can't complain about that."
The tee is reserved from 8.30am to 11.45.
Ron can be contacted on 07801 819746 at the course early Wednesday morning if competitors want to make a check call.

e

Wales launches National Caddy Scheme

Golf news from Visit Wales

PRESS RELEASE
With the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort near Newport fast approaching, and more golfing visitors to the principality in 2008 than ever before, Wales is now firmly on the golfing map. With further initiatives such as a new National Caddy scheme, more innovative websites to make booking a break easier and a series of exciting professional events in summer 2009, Visit Wales is expecting a bumper golfing year.

Visit Wales to launch National Caddy Scheme in 2009
Due to rising demand for caddies at golf courses across Wales, Visit Wales is launching a new National Caddy Scheme in January 2009 - the first of its kind in Europe. When the scheme is launched golfers will be able to book an approved caddy in less than 60 seconds at http://www.caddylocator.com/, and wannabe caddies can already visit the same site to sign up to the scheme.
The scheme has been designed to create a gold standard for registered caddies in Wales and aim to equip caddies with the knowledge and skills to offer a premium service, with lessons in golf etiquette and the role of the caddy, as well as improving both technical and general knowledge of the course and the surrounding area.

New Wales Winter Golf site – two-night breaks from £89
The Wales Golf Holiday Company recently launched a new collection of Winter Golf Breaks in Wales at http://www.wintergolfbreaks.co.uk/. The breaks have been designed to provide value golf at a wide choice of venues, with two night packages starting from only £89. Winter golf is an increasingly appealing option for golfers who want to play championship golf, but not pay championship prices.
The operator has selected the best choice of winter courses around Wales which will offer the best winter golf. Players have a choice of links golf courses to the south, of links golf courses to the south west and north, with championship parkland throughout the principality.

Golf North Wales launches new-look website
Golf North Wales (http://www.golf-northwales.co.uk/) recently launched a new-look website where visitors can book tee times and accommodation live. Other features include a live weather feed, offers and discounts on green fees and accommodation, regional tourist information and an interactive map linking to individual pages on the 24 golf clubs in the region.

Championship breaks at three leading Welsh courses
GEM Wales (http://www.gemwales.com/) has teamed up with Marriott St Pierre, the Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort and host of the 2010 Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor Resort to offer one-night golfing breaks from only £67 per person, including two rounds of golf.

Golfing events in Wales summer 2009:
April 22-23 – Ryder Cup Wales Welsh Open Young Professional PGA Championship at Bull Bay Golf Club on Anglesey
June 4-7 – The Celtic Manor Wales Open at Celtic Manor Resort near Newport
June 19-21 – Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Porthcawl
July 23-27 SWALEC Wales Challenge at the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort near Cardiff
July 28-30 – Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh Open PGA Championship at Marriott St. Pierre Golf & Club in Chepstow
August 6-9 – S4/C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe at Royal St David’s Golf Club in Harlech
September 2-4 – Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh National PGA Championship at Ashburnham Golf Club

For more information on golf holidays across Wales visit http://www.golfasitshouldbe.com/