SCOT MATHESON RELISHES PGA CUP TEST

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
Craig Matheson’s broad shoulders will carry the weight of a nation as Scotland’s only representative in this year’s PGA Cup – which returns to the home of golf for the first time since 1996.
The self-taught Falkirk Tryst professional, who at 26 is the youngest member of Gary Alliss’ 10-man Great Britain & Ireland team, has admitted that the forthcoming match against the USA at The Carrick on Loch Lomond between September 18-20, will be an entirely new experience compared to events on the Tartan Tour.
“I’m really excited about this as it’s the biggest tournament I’ve played in by a mile,” said the Tartan Tour regular.
“Being the only Scot in the team and because I don’t really know the other guys I’m kind of nervous too. I guess I am the carrying the flag of Scotland, but I’ve never seen it as that, I just think of us as GB&I.
“As it is in Scotland I’m hoping there will be a wee crowd. I know a few people from my golf club are getting a bus to come and cheer me on which is great because the only other time a few people have come along is at Open qualifying so that will be exciting.”
The PGA Cup – based on a Ryder Cup style format of foursomes, fourballs and singles - is the most prestigious event for PGA professionals on both sides of the Atlantic and it dates back to 1973.
Matheson booked his place in the side after finishing in a share of fifth place at this year’s Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at Dundonald Links back in June.GB&I has enjoyed some of its finer moments in the tournament on Scottish soil, having twice won the tournament in 1983 & 84 and halving it on its last visit at Gleneagles.
That record bodes well as the team bid to win back the Llandudno Trophy they saw slip from their grasp in Georgia, USA, two years ago. That side, which was also skippered by Alliss, went down 13.5 to 12.5, when a draw would have seen them retain the trophy.Matheson, who is one of six PGA Cup ‘rookies’ in the team, is relishing a return to matchplay and the ensuing battle against the Americans.
“I’ve not played matchplay since I was an amateur, which was a few years ago, so it’ll be exciting to play it as it’s essentially a new format,” he said. “There’s a chance to be aggressive when you can., so I’m looking forward to that.”Ahead of making his bow, Matheson has also received plenty of encouragement from his fellow Tartan Tour pros – including one member of the victorious 2005 GB&I side which regained the trophy at The K Club after a 21 year gap.“
After qualifying there was a lot of interest and guys congratulating me and wishing me well,” said Matheson.“Fraser Mann, who played on the winning PGA Cup team in 2005, has been really good. He said any help I need or advice, just give him a shout. I really appreciated that, especially from a guy that’s gone and done it.”The 2009 team also includes Jeremy Robinson who was a former Walker Cup team-mate of Colin Montgomerie in 1987.
The full GB&I team is: captain Gary Alliss (The Belfry), Andrew Barnett (North Wales Driving Range), Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre), Will Barnes (Garstang G&CC), Jamie Harris (Nevill Golf Club), James Lee (Caerphilly), Craig Matheson (Falkirk & Tryst), Jeremy Robinson (Twyford), Paul Simpson (West Berkshire), Barry Taylor (Houghwood) and Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park).

Three amateurs tie for Midland Alliance victory

By LEE SUTHERLAND
The Midland Golfers Alliance was held at Forfar Golf Club in near perfect conditions yesterday. There was a tie for first scratch between three amateurs - Ross Bell (Downfield), senior Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) and Martin Brown (Monifieth) - with three-under-par scores of 66.
Best net score of the day was a 67 by four-handicapper John Black (Scotscraig).

LEADING SCRATCH
66 R Bell (Downfield), B Stewart (Tulliallan), M Brown (Monifieth).
68 A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap, L Vannet (Carnoustie Links) p.
69 S Hume (Noah's Ark) ap, K Hutton (Downfield) p, S Spence (Lundin Links) ap, C Donnelly (Balbirnie Park) p.
71 G McLeod (Monifieth) p, M Rae (Alyth) ap, M Finlayson (Edzell) ap, R Redpath (Scotscreaig), J Black (Scotscraig), P Brookes (Pitreavie) p.
LEADING HANDICAP
65 B Stewart (Tulliallan) (1).
67 J Black (Scotscreaig) (4).
68 R Redpath (Scotscraig) (3), M Brown (Monifieth) (+2).
69 R Bell (Downfield) (+3).
70 R Farquhar (Carnoutie) (9), M Fraser (Leven Thistle) (3), J Henderson (Craigie Hill) (5), J Ward (Carnoustie) (5).
71 R Lamont (Bathgate) (4), D MacGregor (St Andrews) (14), R McDonald (Monifieth) (4).

Qualifiers for the Midland Golfer’s Alliance Championship in April at Pitlochry

A Lockhart (Ladybank) ap.
L Vannet (Carnoustie Links) p.
S Hume (Noah’s Ark) ap.
K Hutton (Downfield) p.
S Spence (Lundin Links) ap.

Next Week's Meetings

Tuesday, 15th September
Dunfermline
Mixed Foursomes
9.30 - 12.30

Thursday, 17th September
Pitlochry
8.30 - 12.30
Lee Sutherland

CARNEGIE INVITATIONAL

GOLF COPY CREDIT DAVID BEGG SPORTS QUERIES TO COLIN FARQUHARSON MOBILE 07943 758 031   CRAIG RONALD WINS CARNEGIE INVITATIONAL   Carluke's Craig Ronald won the Tartan Tour's two-day Carnegie Invitational with a six-over-par aggregate of 148. Ronald followed an opening round of seven-over 78 in a gale-force wind which forced play to be halted on the opening day with a one-under 70 in today's (Wed) more benign conditions. Ronald earned £4,500 for a one-shot victory from Craig Lee (unattached) (75-74), David Orr (East Renfrewshire) (76-73) and Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) (74-75) who each received £3,000. Craig Lee won the one-club challenge, which has become part of the tradition at this event, at the third hole of the play-off.   CARNEGIE INVITATIONAL Skibo Castle FINAL TOTALS Par 142 (2x71) 148 Craig Ronald (Carluke) 78 70 (£4,500). 149 Craig Lee (unatt) 75 74, David Orr (East Renfrewshire) 76 73, Andrew Oldcorn (Kings Acre) 74 75 (£3,000 each). 154 Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) 74 80 (£2,300). 155 Chris Doak (unatt) 80 75, Mark King (Kingsfield) 85 70 (£2,000 each). 156 Chris Campbell (Grantown on Spey) 82 74, Gordon Law (Uphall) 80 76 (£1750 each). 157 Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 78 79 (£1600). 158 Colin Gillies (Playsport Golf) 83 75 (£1,500). 161 Ronan Rafferty (unatgt) 82 79, Alan Tait (Marriott Dalmahoy) 80 81 (£1,425 each). 162 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 77 85 (£1360). 163 David Thomson (CarnegieClub) 81 82 (£1335). 172 Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) 88 84 (£1310. 180 Jody Romstock (Carnegie Club) 89 91, Joel Hopwood (Carnegie Club) 98 82 (£1,272 each).   e ds

Mark Kerr looks on Tour School

costs as an investment

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Edinburgh golfer Mark Kerr is bracing himself for a hefty hit in the pocket but admits he's looking at the cost of entering the European Tour Qualifying School as an investment.
Kerr, who has just secured a top-ten finish on this season's Tartan Tour Order of Merit, is among seven Lothians players due take part in the first stage of the gruelling examination next week.They've all forked out £1,350 entry fee and Kerr, who is attached to Marriott Dalmahoy, knows from experience how costly it can be once players get closer to securing one of those cherished Tour cards.
"I got to the second stage last year and it cost me just over £3,000 all in," he said. "I suppose you've got to look at it as an investment, though, and I'd be daft not to try my luck, especially when my form this year has been pretty good."
Kerr, in fact, has arguably been the most improved player on the Scottish circuit this season, the two-times losing finalist in the Lothians Championship securing sixth spot on the final Order of Merit.
"All in all, I've had a successful campaign and I'd probably say the highlight was finishing in a tie for fourth at Gleneagles (in the Scottish Professional Championship," he reflected.
"It was disappointing that I missed out on the Srixon Play-offs at the end of the year as there are five European Tour starts up for grabs in those. However, I am hopeful that, by finishing sixth in Scotland, I will earn a place in next year's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, though that may depend on what happens with the invites."
Kerr starts his Tour School bid at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire next Tuesday and hopes to pass that test with flying colours before turning his thoughts back to the EuroPro Tour.
"Having come through the qualifying at Dundonald last year, I'm confident I can do so again and I certainly hope I will as I'm desperate to get another crack at the second stage in Spain," he added.
"I'm also starting to focus on the EuroPro Tour again but will need to win either the event at Fairmont St Andrews next month or the Tour Championship after that to earn one of the spots on next season's Challenge Tour."
John Gallagher, Lee Harper, Mark Hillson, Shaun McAllister, Lloyd Saltman and Zack Saltman are the other Lothians players due to be in action in Stage 1, either at Dundonald next week or The Oxfordshire the week after.