Tuesday, July 14, 2009

AUGUST 21 IS DATE TO REMEMBER


£495 to enter team of three lady

amateurs for all-women pro-am

at Archerfield Links'

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
PGA professional Karyn Burns, pictured right, is organising an all-women pro-am on August 21 at the exclusive venue of the Fidra Course at Archerfield Links Golf Club.
There will be 10 teams consisting of 10 Scottish lady professionals, including the seven who are currently members of the Ladies European Tour, and 30 lady amateurs
"There are still a few team spots available," says Karyn. "I believe this is this first event of its kind in Scotland although I believe that Jane Connachan held a ladies' pro-am at some point.
"The 10 professionals are likely to Karyn Dallas, Heather MacRae and myself, who are PGA professionals, and from the Ladies European Tour: Krystle Caithness, Pamela Feggans, Lynn Kenny, Vikki Laing, Clare Queen, Michele Thomson and Jenna Wilson.
"Kathryn Imrie may get involved if home from USA."
The price per team of three amateurs is £495 which is inclusive of morning rolls/tea on arrival, a Short Clinic/Q&A session, 18 holes competition followed by a three-course dinner and viewing of the Solheim Cup match which starts that day.
If you break that down to a cost per individual, it works out at £165 a head.
Are there any husbands/partners/boy friends of lady amateur golfers out there who might like to give their loved ones a treat by buying them a place on a team for what is certainly going to be a day to remember?
Overnight stays can be arranged at an additional cost. More information is available from and entries can be made to Karyn Burns, PGA (AA) Professional by emailing http://uk.mc870.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=karynburns@yahoo.com or Mobile: 07720442492.

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PGA EUROPRO TOUR REPORT

It's Maddy that matters in Motocaddy Masters!

By ANTHONY LEAVER
Paul Maddy leads the Motocaddy Masters at The Players Club in Bristol by three shots with a six under round of 64 on the opening day.
Maddy (Gog Magog) followed a solid start with three birdies from the fourth to go out at three under and made sure he had a clear advantage going into the second round with three further birdies at 11, 12 and 17 in his 64.
Jamie Elson (Forum Financial Associates), John Gallagher (Swanston Golf) and are three strokes behind Maddy after both carding rounds of 67. Elson bogeyed the opening hole but followed that with four birdies in his next five holes to go out at three under. He extended that to four under with a fifth birdie at the 11th but dropped shots at 13 and 15 dropped him back to two under before a sixth birdie of the day at 16th.
Gallagher raced to three under after the first five holes and was four under through 11 before back-to-back bogeys at 14 and 15 set him back – but the Scot got back one of those dropped shots at the 17th for a 67.
Lowe – who missed the cut at the US Open by two strokes – recorded five birdies in his three under opening round, with bogeys at eight and 11 spoiling his day.
Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown GC) started on the back nine and moved to two under at the turn thanks to three birdies from the 14th. Unfortunately for Matthews he picked up bogeys at two and four to move to level par with five holes to play but birdies at the fifth and ninth saw him shoot at two under round of 68.
Joining Matthews four shots off the lead is Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) who picked up two birdies on the back nine to shoot 68.
Matthew Ford (Marriott Tudor Park) will rue his last four holes as he sits five strokes off the lead at one under. Ford began on the back nine and raced to four under where he remained after 14 holes – but he bogeyed six, eight and nine to record a disappointing 69 from his strong position.
Ford is joined by Chris Hiscock (Kingsdown GC), Chris Benians, Phil Worthington (Donnington Grove) and Daniel Belch (Golf Analysis Ltd).
To view the full first round Leaderboard from the Motocaddy Masters, visit http://www.europrotour.com/ and click on the Score Updates link on the homepage.

SCOTS' SCORES
(Par 70)
John Gallagher 67 -3
Paul Doherty 70 Lvl
Barry Hume 71 +1
Chris Kelly 71 +1
Lorne Kelly 74 +1
Graeme Lornie 71 +1
Jack Doherty 73 +3
Graham Brown 76 +6
Lee Harper 76 +6
Scott Herald 76 +6
Scott Jamieson 76 +6
Shaun McAllister 76 +6
Eric Walker 78 +8


SURRY 9/4 TO BE TOP EUROPRO PLAYER AT THE OPEN
Order of Merit leader Steve Surry tees off in the last three-ball of first round of The Open Championship at Turnberry on Thursday afternoon, and is the 9/4 favourite to be the top PGA EuroPro Tour in action with our official bookmakers Sky Bet.
Five EuroPro regulars are taking on the biggest names in golf this coming weekend, with Tom Haylock and Elliot Saltman on offer at 3/1, Daniel Gaunt 7/2 and Jeremy Kavanagh 8/1.
To bet on this market, click here: http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvClass&id=34&aff=4527&EPT_Website

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Greig Hutcheon (66) heads

qualifiers for Deer Park Masters


Former Scottish PGA champion Greig Hutcheon, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, returned to the Tartan Tour from a spell on the Challenge Tour to produce a sparkling round of six-under-par 66 today to head the 25 qualifiers for The Muir Deer Park Masters at Deer Park Golf Club on August 4 and 5.
David Gemmell (Aberdour) was the odd man out on 73. He was the only player with that score not to qualify for the tournament proper. He was eliminated on a scorecard countback.
QUALIFIERS
Par 72
66 Greig Hutcheon (Peterculter).
68 Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle), Ross Cameron (McDonald Ellon).
69 Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre), Gareth Wright (Swanston Golf).
70 Hamish Kemp (Bishopbriggs), Campbell Donaldson (Campbell Donaldson Golf Acad), Ian Graham (Crow Wood), Chris Campbell (Granton on Spey), Graham Fox (East Kilbride).
71 Iain Stoddart (Uphall), Mark Kerr (unatt), Jonathan Porteous (Craigielaw), Paul Wytrazek (Burntisland), Stewsart Savate (Dalmuir).
72 Scott Grieve (Turnhouse), Steven Duncan (Balbirnie Park), Chris McCalman (unatt), Iain Colquhoun (Dundonald Links), James McKinnon (Irvine), Scott Gillespie (Burntisland), Andrew Cooper (Newmachar).
73 Mark Loftus (Cowglen), Scott Henderson (Kings Links), Euan Cameron (Hamilton).
MISSED THE CUT
73 (after card countback) David Gemmell (Aberdour).
74 Gregor Abel (Alloa), Gordon Niven (Stirling Univ), Owen Leslie (Prestonfield), Andrew Dunsmore (Deer Park), David Patrick (Elie), Stewart Whiteford (Wellsgreen), Gary McFarlane (Clober), Peter Mitchell (Hermitage), Jonny Sharp (Carrick at Cameron House), Murray Urquhart (Spey Valley), James Boyce (Erskine).
75 James McGhee (Turnhouse), Alistair Brown (Whitecraigs), Clarke Lutton (Qatar Golf International), Alan Fleming (North Highland College), Greg Paxton (Ralston).
76 Alastair MacKenzie (Duddingston), Fraser Pook (Aberdour), David Snodgrass (Hilton Park), Kevin McAleer (Gleddoch), Andrew Fullen (Largs), Alastair Love (Charleton), David Blackadder (Kingsbarns), Mark Barnard (Inchmarlo), Kevin Phillips (Winterfield), Paul Hubner (Eastwood), Sandy Aird jun (McDonald Ellon).
77 Graeme Stewart (Gleddoch), Paul Malone (Braid Hills), Jamie Stevenson (Braehead), Neil Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh), Gareth Hardy(Belleisle), David MacMullen (Aberdour), Michael Rae (Alyth), Andrew Hutton (World of Golf).
78 Graham Mackay (Prestonfield), Kevin Campbell (Balmore), James Mooney (Kingscliff Golf Solutions), David Broadfoot (Dumfries & Co), Henry Wong (Wellsgreen), Richard Smith (Dumries-shire Golf Acad), Chris Morris (Kingsknowe), Andrew Meikle (Archerfield), Jonas Hedberg (Royal Aberdeen, Nicola Melville (Old Course Hotel).
79 Sean O'Donnell (Balbirnie Park), Scott Finlayson (Charleton), Mark Bruce (Gullane), Lee Vannett (Carnoustie Golf Links).
80 Andrew Erskine (Ratho Park).
81 Alan Gowran (East Renfrewshire), Katie Thomson (Kings Links), Joel Hopwood (Carnegie Club).
82 Paul Wilson (World of Golf), Andrew Gibson (North Gailes), John Gorman (Callander), Iain Donaldson (Meldrum House).
83 Ewan Davie (Dunblane New).
84 Iain Hanna (Strathclyde Park), Mark Finlayson (Edzell).
87 Alan Reid (unatt).]
87 Luke Barbour (Cruden Bay).
NRs Gavin Cook (Prestonfield), Andrew MacRae (Gleneagles Hotel), Stuart Reekie (Blairgowrie), David Ross Nicol (Dundonald Links).
Disq John Ruth (Sandyhills), Fraser McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle).

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Lyle makes public apology to Colin Montgomerie

Sandy Lyle has apologised to Colin Montgomerie for bringing up a 2005 incident in which his fellow Scot was accused of cheating.
Lyle addressed the media today at a news conference at Turnberry -- two days before the start of the Open -- after comments emerged in the Scottish media over his failed bid to be named European captain for next year's Ryder Cup.
Lyle said he was frustrated at repeatedly being asked whether his decision to drop out of last year's Open (after only nine holes) on the first day may have hurt his chances of being named Ryder Cup captain. Instead, the job went to Montgomerie.
In an interview with British newspapers published this morning, Lyle said that Montgomerie had been guilty of a far worse action, which could be interpreted as cheating, in the 2005 Indonesian Open, where Montgomerie appeared to take an incorrect drop in a bunker.
Lyle said he thought that would have counted against Monty when potential Ryder Cup captains were being sifted.
Almost certainly, the European Tour brought pressure to bear on Lyle to make a public apology at a Press Conference arranged by the Tour.
John Hopkins of The Times, writing on the website THE TIMES ON LINE, says:
Sandy Lyle is a lovely bloke, but what on earth is he doing saying these things? Did he honestly think he had a chance of getting the Ryder Cup captaincy? If he did, then that has gone.
There is as much chance of Lyle being named captain in a future Ryder Cup as there is of Young Tom Morris.
So has any possibility of being named a vice-captain to Montgomerie at Celtic Manor next year, which Montgomerie said was a possibility last week at Loch Lomond.

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Chris Lloyd favourite to beat strong field

for Carris Trophy at Moor Park

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Chris Lloyd will attempt to complete a junior double when the English Boys' Under-18 Championship for the Carris Trophy returns to its traditional home of Moor Park in Hertfordshire from July 21 to 23.
The 17 year old from Bristol already has the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters title in his grasp after his sparkling victory at Nizels in Kent two weeks ago when his aggregate of 265 contained a closing round of 63 which equalled the course record.
Lloyd has just returned from the European boys' team championships in Holland and his team-mates there, Tom Lewis, Adam Carson, Jonathan Bell and Max Smith, will also be in action at Moor Park.
Carson currently leads the Titleist/FootJoy EGU Boys Order of Merit following his victory in the Fairhaven Trophy while Smith lies second following his triumph in the McEvoy Trophy, so they are also looking to complete a double.
The Carris entry is as talented and competitive as ever, none more so than with the crop of Surrey youngsters. They include Josh White, who lies fourth on the merit list, Ben Taylor and Tom Berry.
Oscar Sharpe, who won three boys age group titles two years ago, is also completing as is Billy Downing from Cornwall, an Under 16 international, runner-up in the McEvoy Trophy and currently sixth on the Titleist/FootJoy Boys Order of Merit.
Liam Harper from Kent, an Under 16 cap, who was a top ten finisher in the recent McGregor Trophy, could be prominent again, while East Anglia will be well represented by Kit Holmes from Norfolk, Suffolk’s Patrick Spraggs and James Webber from Essex, seventh on the merit list.
Tom Boys, the boy international from Royal Liverpool, who made a strong bid in last year’s Carris at Wallasey, is again competing as is Oliver Carr from Heswall. , Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
The field of 132, which will be reduced to the leading 40 players and ties after 36 holes, possess a handicap of scratch or better. Previous winners of the Carris include Sandy Lyle, Peter Baker, Ken Brown and Justin Rose.
Hole by hole scores and more information about The Carris Trophy can be found in the Championship pages of the EGU website, www.englishgolfunion.org

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United States and Australia beckoning for

Father-son tourney winners in Spain

NEWS RELEASE
The winners of this year’s European Father and Son Championship will test themselves against some of the best in the world next year after organisers secured a deal for them to play against their counterparts in America and Australia.
In an exciting development for the event, the 2009 champions will be invited to play in both the National Father and Son Team Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the Australian Father and Son Championships in Tasmania in 2010.
The 2009 European Father and Son Championship will be held for the second year running at the PortAventura Golf Resort on Spain’s Costa Dorada from October 27-November 1 and tournament director Toby Marsden is expecting a fiercely-fought contest following the latest announcement.
Like its European counterpart, the American and Australian father and son tournaments are 54-hole events and are open to any father and son combinations including grandfathers, stepfathers and professionals with no age restrictions and a handicap limit of 24.
In addition, Marsden has also agreed a deal with Motocaddy for the electric trolley company to partner the event in 2009, with four state-of-the-art digital trollies worth around £1,000 to be offered as prizes.
English duo Martin and Connor Hamilton, from The Lambourne Golf Club, Berkshire, are set to return to Spain to defend their European title in October, when more than 100 pairs from countries including France, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Finland, Wales and the Czech Republic are expected to take part,
Sky Sports TV will televise the event for the second year running and it will again be played on PortAventura’s impressive South and North championship courses – the latter designed by Australian golfing legend Greg Norman.
The cost of the week is just £699 per player with £100 discount for juniors - which includes two rounds of golf each on the North and South courses, five nights’ half-board stay in a four-star hotel within the resort, transfers, evening entertainment, gala dinner and prize-giving on the final night.
For more information on the 2009 European Father and Son Golf Championship, visit their website at www.fatherandsongolf.co.uk , phone +44 (0)1702 337020 or e-mail info@fatherandsongolf.co.uk .

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Scotland's South West courses

are Hidden Gems ...


NEWS RELEASE
A new company is offering holidays that make the most of undiscovered courses in Scotland ’s beautiful South West Region.
Very few of those visiting the Open at Turnberry this week realise that there are many courses just down the coast in Dumfries & Galloway offering fantastic golf at great value in stunning surroundings.
That’s where Hidden Gems Golf Tours comes in. The company, run by keen golfer Jamie McCubbin, enables golfers to explore courses such as the spectacular clifftop course at Portpatrick with its views across to the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland, the championship course at Southerness and the course at Stranraer, the very last one designed by the famous James Braid.
Jamie McCubbin, owner of Hidden Gems Golf Tours, said:
“The Open is always exciting and worth a trip. Why not combine it with a relaxing holiday nearby? The South West of Scotland has many Hidden Gems golf courses where you can escape the crowds and rediscover golf at its best.”
Although relatively undiscovered, Dumfries & Galloway is easy to reach. It is under an hour’s drive from Turnberry and the M6, a couple of hours from Scotland’s major airports and has a Northern Ireland ferry crossing (Belfast-Stranraer).
The area’s courses are quiet, beautifully maintained and have hosted prestigious tournaments, such as the Scottish men's and women's amateur Championships. Visitors receive a warm welcome at the clubhouses and comfortable B&Bs and hotels, handpicked by the company for its customers.
One lucky golfer and three friends could win a Hidden Gems holiday in the area. During July and August all those subscribing to Hidden Gems Golf Tours’ e-newsletter will be entered into a competition to win a package holiday for four, including two nights’ accommodation and three rounds of golf.
Hidden Gems Tours are self-drive, although drivers can be provided if required, and are designed by Jamie McCubbin to give a varied and interesting golf experience. Day trips are possible and packages start at just £250 for three days – a great deal including accommodation and rounds of golf on different courses each day.
They can also be tailored to fit budgets, preferences and requirements.
In addition to Dumfries & Galloway, the company also offers holidays to play golf in other parts of Scotland and Northumbria , Northern England.
Jamie continued: “With high prices abroad in the euro zone many golfers are thinking about taking their holidays within the UK. With great courses in unspoilt areas now’s the time to step off the beaten track with Hidden Gems Golf Tours and make the most of what Scotland and Northumbria have to offer.”
Follow Jamie McCubbin’s golf news on Twitter. During the Open he’ll be profiling each Turnberry hole and describing ways to play them. Sign up to JamieHG at http://www.twitter.com/

http://www.hiddengemsgolftours.co.uk/

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Jeev Milkha Singh withdraws from

Open field with rib injury

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar believes he is ready to lead the Indian challenge at the Open after reigning Asian Tour No. 1 Jeev Milkha Singh withdrew due to a rib injury.
Singh, pictured right, who was strongly tipped to spearhead the Asian challenge at Turnberry was forced to withdraw after failing to shake off the effects of a persistent rib injury.
Bhullar, who is Singh’s junior by 17 years, will now attempt to put Asia on the world map after having played seven practise rounds at the Ailsa Course since his arrival in Turnberry two weeks ago.
“This is the best golf course you can ever think of. The fairways, greens and tees are all in perfect conditions and I know I’m going to enjoy this week,” said Bhullar, who has been billed as one of the hottest young stars to come out of the Asian Tour and is making his debut at the world’s oldest major.
“I’m now the lone Indian in the field this week and definitely more expectations will be on me. It’s a big shoe to fill but mentally I’m ready,” added Bhullar who has his sports psychologist, Dr. Pradeep Aggarwal with him this week.
Meanwhile, Singh who is widely known as the face of modern golf in India, failed to overcome the nagging effects of a rib injury that has been plaguing him for weeks and will be taking an early flight home to recuperate.
“When I went out yesterday to play 18 holes, it was hurting. When I was taking deep breaths, it was also hurting and when that happens, you know it’s bad,” said Singh, widely known as the face of modern golf in India
Singh is one of Asia’s most decorated players, having won six times on the Asian Tour with an additional four wins recorded in Japan and another two in Europe.
He was hailed as Asia’s brightest hope of welcoming its first major winner this week as his form has been solid with two recent top-10s in Europe while also finishing in fourth at the WGC-CA Championship in Doral, USA earlier this season.
“I’m only 60% fit and I don’t want to play a major championship in that condition. My game is good but I just don’t want to take any chances this week” said the 37-year-old from Chandigarh.
“I don’t want to play in a tournament for the sake of playing in it. I want to be competing and be in contention. I want to be fit and I’ve always believed in that,” added Singh.
With Bhullar being the sole flag bearer for golf in India this week, Singh hopes that his younger compatriot will now rise up to challenges ahead.
“I told him to play some low shots, try to stay calm and be patient. When I was playing my first major, I was really nervous and I’m sure he’s going to be too. But that’s all part of learning and being a better professional,” said Singh.

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Carya Golf Club to host Turkey’s first

Challenge Tour event in 11 years

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR
The European Challenge Tour will visit Turkey for the first time in 11 years with the announcement that Carya Golf Club in Belek, Antalya, will host the Turkish Challenge in April 2010.
The event, sanctioned by the Turkish Golf Federation, is part of a three-year agreement between the Challenge Tour and Carya Golf Club and heralds the start of an exciting partnership which will help promote the Antalya region as a golfing destination.
Carya Golf Club, designed by five-times Open Champion Peter Thomson and partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, opened in 2008 and is regarded as one of the finest on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast.
The tournament will provide a wonderful opportunity to further develop golf in Turkey from the grass roots up to encourage the next generation of professionals. Five Turkish professionals and three amateurs will be included in the field.
Fikret Öztürk Chairman of Carya Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to sign a three-year agreement with the European Challenge Tour and welcome the future stars of the world game to Turkey to compete. We believe Carya Golf Club is a first-class venue, and look forward to seeing how the top quality professionals enjoy the golf course.
"The whole region will benefit enormously from hosting an international golf event. There is so much on offer in the Antalya region for golfers, and with the worldwide TV coverage that will be here we can show Carya Golf Club and Antalya at it’s very best.”
Carya Golf Club is one of 15 courses in the Antalya region, running along Turkey's Mediterranean coastline and becoming increasingly popular as a golfing destination with its combination of great courses and perfect weather.
Inspired by the classic courses found in the UK, such as Sunningdale and The Berkshire, nearly one million heather sprigs have been planted around the course. In a first-of-its-kind project, the heather was propagated on site in specially constructed glasshouses. Carya’s free flowing holes run between established woodland and across a dramatic sand ridge.
From the Championship tees, the 7,186-yard (6,570 metres), par 72 course will be a demanding test of strategy for Challenge Tour players looking to break onto The European Tour.
Tim Lobb, of designers Thomson, Perrett & Lobb, said: “Peter, Ross and I knew from our first visit that this was a very special site for a golf course and that Carya Golf Club had all the potential to become both a commercially successful and highly enjoyable course for golf tourists, as well as an outstanding venue for professional golf tournaments.
“The heathland inspired design has captured the imagination of golfers and created a unique type of golf course in a region that is fast becoming one of the best golfing destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

For more information about Carya Golf Club visit http://www.caryagolf.com/

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Ken Schofield appointed

chairman of London Golf

Show company

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE AZALEA GROUP
The former executive director of the European Tour, Ken Schofield CBE, has been appointed chairman of the Golf Show Group Ltd, the company behind the London Golf Show and the NEC Golf Show.
(Blairgowrie-born) Schofield, pictured right, spent 30 years at the head of the European Tour and took it from a 17-event calendar with a prize fund of £430,000 in 1975 to a 48-event £71m schedule, second only to the US PGA Tour.
He is also a past president of the PGAs of Europe and of the Golf Foundation.
Schofield said: “I have worked increasingly closely with the team at the Golf Show Group for some years now and believe fervently that the sport benefits hugely from the exposure properly organised golf shows allow.
“The fact that this is probably the only time manufacturers can collectively meet the people who actually use their products day in and day out should never be overlooked.
“I’m delighted to be able to take up this position and look forward to a long and fruitful association, not just personally with the team at the Golf Show Group but also with the golf industry as a whole in my new position.
“We are currently discussing a number of projects and believe the industry and the golfing public will respond positively to what we have planned.”
The former chairman of the company, Colin Brunton, remains on the board and will take on an operational role.

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116 Staff + 303 contractors and freelancers at Turnberry

Sky attacks BBC Open staffing level

'Even an American broadcaster would not use more than 200'

FROM THE HERALD SPORTS WEBSITE
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport
By SARAH MORRISON
The BBC has again been forced to justify its use of licence fee payers' money after broadcast rival Sky said it could cover the Open golf championships with half the number of staff.
Just days after the BBC was criticised for taking more than 300 staff to cover the T in the Park music festival at Balado, the broadcaster has come under fresh scrutiny over plans to send an even larger number to the Open golf championship taking place at Turnberry in Ayrshire this week.
Out of the 419 personnel that the BBC is sending to the Open, 116 are BBC staff and 303 contractors and freelancers. Included in the BBC staff total are 35 Radio Five Live employees and 21 staff from BBC Radio Scotland. The 303 contractors include technical cameramen, riggers, graphics specialists, vision editors, sound staff, electricians and security.
While the BBC defended its decision to send such a large number of people to the four-day sporting event, Sky Sports said the number was "abnormally high."
A Sky Sports spokesman said that when it covered major events like the Ryder Cup or the US Open, less than half that number of staff were usually needed.
"Even an American broadcaster would not use more than 200 staff all together in a TV compound," the spokesman said. "For a major golf event, there are usually 150 production staff and 50 presentation staff needed to cover the tournament."
He added: "The more production staff, the more this all costs. It is a lot easier to manage if you keep it lean. Four hundred people is a lot to be in charge of - and it might be hard to do the job to the best ability with that many people on the ground."
A BBC spokesman, however, said the broadcaster offered "extensive, high-quality coverage" of the golfing event, providing 70 hours of TV and online coverage.
He said: "The logistics involved in providing coverage for a golf broadcast like the Open, which at Turnberry this year will be played out across 7,204 yards, are immense, with cameras required around the course to ensure that viewers in Britain and around the world get to see all the action.
"Every member of the team has a clear and accountable role and staff on-site work incredibly hard and very long hours to offer unparalleled coverage."
For Scottish Conservative media and culture spokesman, Ted Brocklebank, the figures reveal the absence of competition in broadcasting.
"The BBC is becoming more bloated and it has to look to the staffing levels that it uses," he said.
"They are facing up to real problems of cuts in funding and by putting too many staff on events they are playing into the hands of those who want to top-slice the BBC license fee. Especially when it seems that others could cover events with a vastly cut number of staff."
David Cairns, Labour MP and chair of the all-party group on Scottish broadcasting, said that he was glad more events were being broadcast from Scotland, but concerned that no money should be wasted.
"Obviously the BBC must not waste license payers' money. I don't know whether these productions could be done with fewer staff and they shouldn't send more than are needed. But at long last people across the UK are getting to see more BBC programmes being broadcast from Scotland."
*Scottishgolfview.com has the permission of The Herald Newspaper sports editor to publish the above article.





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Donegal golf fans gutted as Tiger

fails to show for dawn tee time

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
A great tiger hunt yesterday ended in disappointment — and a few tears — for golf fans.
Almost 60 people turned up at Murvagh Golf Club near Donegal town to see the world’s greatest golfer, Tiger Woods, tee off at dawn.
Several had travelled distances of up to 90km, arriving as early as 4.30am to catch a glimpse of their idol who, word had it, was due on the first tee at 5.30am with Tyrone’s Darren Clarke.
Members of a BBC crew that had covered the Munster Hurling Championship final in Thurles on Sunday were diverted to Donegal during their overnight journey home to Belfast.
The RTE cameras were there before the crack of dawn. Keen eyes scanned the skies over Donegal Bay on the lookout for the helicopter that was to bring Tiger and Darren from nearby five-star Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel where the American was said to have checked in early on Sunday. It didn’t matter that the hotel wouldn’t confirm his presence or that nobody at Murvagh knew of VIP arrangements.
Dedicated fans were convinced of the accuracy of their information that Tiger was dropping in for a quiet practiCe round en route to The Open at Turnberry in Scotland.
But there was no Tiger, no Darren, no helicopter and, according to a spokesperson for the hotel, definitely no Mr Woods on the guest list.
One man drove from Londonderry to join the hunt. He was disappointed:
“I was told that without a shadow of doubt Tiger was playing here; that he wanted somewhere quiet to practise before going on to Turnberry.”
Another man brought along his three golf-mad children — aged seven, eight and 10 — from their holiday home in Sligo. One youngster blinked back tears when everybody finally accepted Tiger wasn’t coming.
Where was he?
Already in Turnberry, according to The Open’s official website.

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Bitter Sandy Lyle accuses

MItaliconty of 'form of cheating'

after Ryder Cup snub

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Mike Aitken
Sandy Lyle has thrown a damning slur at his fellow Scot, Colin Montgomerie, by claiming that the European Ryder Cup captain was guilty of 'cheating' in Jakarta during a tournament four years ago when he incorrectly replaced his ball.
Lyle, the former Open and Masters champion, was stung when the European Tour overlooked his candidacy for the biennial match at Celtic Manor next year, in favour of Montgomerie.
His disappointment and frustration has surfaced ahead of this week's Open Championship. When asked if he felt his decision to pull out of the Open a year ago (after nine holes) in bad weather at Birkdale had damaged his chances of leading Europe, he turned the spotlight on Montgomerie. Lyle said: "You get Monty in this situation where he was dropping the ball badly in that overseas event and that is a form of what you would call cheating.
"What Monty did was far worse. That was going to go against Monty you would think – that's a case where he is breaking the rules."

Montgomerie later admitted that he had made a mistake and donated his £24,000 prize money to charity.
Lyle has also claimed that Montgomerie failed to return his calls after the Ryder Cup captaincy announcement.
"I rang him a few times straight after the decision but I didn't get a reply," said Lyle. "Eventually I got a letter. There is a slight unfairness about the captaincy. I was due, definitely. I have been to quite a few Ryder Cups over the years and I know what is needed to be a captain.• "I would have given it a damn good shot and have some respect from the players. So I'm a little cheesed off, yes. I don't mind saying that, I've got nothing to lose. But I will still sleep at night and I won't toss and turn in my bed all the time thinking, 'Well, what have I done wrong?"
Montgomerie's manager Guy Kinnings said last night: "I'm surprised and sad if Sandy has chosen to say these things about something which was resolved so long ago. Monty was elected Ryder Cup captain unanimously by a committee of his peers who obviously don't share that view."
Lyle, meanwhile, defended his actions at Birkdale and insisted he would do the same again. His disinclination to talk up the hand injury which forced him out of the tournament backfired on the Scot. It was assumed a combination of high scores and miserable weather persuaded him not to continue.

Recalling the fierce criticism which came his way, Lyle insisted: "I wouldstill make the same decision to walk off again, without doubt. I didn't walk off last year because of the weather. Obviously, the weather played a part. There was just no point in carrying on. I knew there were some tough holes coming up.
"I was hitting it into the rough and with my hand as sore as it was, I didn't want to make it any worse. I was thinking about the Senior Open the following week. I didn't want to ruin my chances of playing in my first Senior."
Since then, Lyle changed his swing and is now free of injury. "It's gone now, thanks to the swing change."
+++The full version of the above article contains 564 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper today.

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