+The following report on the North-east Alliance at Insch Golf Club on October 14 is a little bit out of date - although there has not been an Alliance fixture since then due to Ballater being washed out last Wednesday - but I thought his fellow NE Alliance members might like to know a bit more about Banchory's Scott Larkin (pictured above) who won the Insch fixture - Editor COLIN FARQUHARSON. After four years in America, Scott Larkin is an NE Alliance winner at Insch After four years playing on the American college circuit as a student at the College of Charleston, South Carolina, Banchory Golf Club's current champion, Scott Larkin, has not taken long to make an impact on the North-east Alliance. Scott, a +2 amateur, had the best scratch score of three-under-par 69 to win the Alliance fixture at Insch a couple of weeks ago. He birdied the eighth, 15th, 16th and 17th with a bogey at the 14th the only blemish on his card. Earlier in the summer, after completing four years in the States, Scott won the Banchory club championship with rounds of 69, 69, 67 and 67 for an aggregate of 272 – very good scoring indeed. "The College of Charleston in South Carolina is a Division 1 golfing university and I was very fortunate to be awarded a four-year scholarship to attend," he says. "The overall experience was second to none and I learned so much about myself and my golf game. In regards to my golf game I simply learned that it doesn't take a superhuman to have an incredible golfing career. It simply takes solid numbers and the only way that can be produced is by self confidence. "I played in roughly 30 tournaments for the College of Charleston and managed to claim eight top-10 finishes, my best being a second place. My plans are to work over the winter in order to fund myself for next year's amateur circuit and to enter the European Tour Qualifying School process in September 2010." Second place at the Insch NE Alliance meeting was shared on 64 by Newburgh-on-Ythan pro Ian Bratton – birdies at the first, fifth, seventh and 15th , and Fraserburgh amateur Kris Nicol, birdies at the 10th, 16th and 17th. The November 4 NE Alliance fixture is scheduled for Banchory Golf Club ... what price Scott Larkin winning that one? LEADING SCRATCH SCORES AT INSCH 66 S Larkin (Banchory) 67 I Bratton (Newburgh), C Nicoll (Fraserburgh) 68 G Gordon (unattached) 69 G Mitchell (Braemar) jun, I Taylor (Stonehaven), J Duff (Fraserburgh) 70 B Brooks (Meldrum House), P McLean (Peterhead), D Law (Hazlehead), K Beveridge (Aboyne) 71 R Fitzpatric (Inchmarlo), G H Paterson (Northern), J Nicolson (Auchmill) 72 M Foster (Cruden Bay), S Pert (Huntly), J Findlay (Fraserburgh), S Finnie (Caledonian), G Mitchell (Braemar) sen. 73 J Emslie (Royal Aberdeen), R Pirie (Caledonian) 74 W Main (Murcar Links), D Leighton (Northern), R Hyland (Craibstone) P Lovie (P1 Incorporate), K Nelson (Murcar Links) 75 J Duncan (Newburgh) HANDICAP - SECTION 1 65 I Taylor (Stonehaven) (4) 67 M Foster (Cruden Bay) (5), J Nicolson (Auchmill) (4), G Mitchell Snr. (Braemar) (5) 68 D Leighton (Northern) (6), S Larkin (Banchory) (+2) HANDICAP SECTION 2 67 I Strachan (Royal Aberdeen) (12), P Cornfield ( Auchmill) (14), D Randall (Banchory) (15) 68 M Smith (Turriff) (18) 69 N Chisholm (Kemnay) (9).

Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge

Drumpellier GC pro Ian Taylor (left) and club captain Ian Thompson (image by courtesy of Christopher Lee of Getty Images).

Drumpellier pair set for Battle Royal in Bahrain

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
Jet-setting Scottish club pro Ian Taylor showed no ill-effects after flying half way round the world as he stormed into a share of the lead at the Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge, supported by BWM, in Bahrain today.
The Drumpellier head professional teamed up with partner and club captain Ian Thompson, a nine handicapper, to shoot a flawless five-under-par-67 over the Montgomerie Course at the Royal Golf Club at Riffa Views.
The Scots, who picked up two birdies in the opening three holes, are level with Welsh pair Richard Dinsdale and Steve Williams from Parc Golf Club in Wales going into tomorrow’s final round.
For Taylor it was a particularly impressive display, having flown into Bahrain straight from San Francisco on America’s west coast.
“We got off to a flying start to be two-under after three holes and maintained that by playing solidly throughout with no bogeys at all,” said Taylor, who is a Fellow of the PGA and also a qualified referee.
“It’s a pretty challenging course with little room for error but I feel we both managed our shots very well and we’re looking forward to the final round tomorrow.”
The pair look set to be pushed all the way by Parc Golf Academy with former PGA Cup player Dinsdale sinking an eagle on the ninth and his three-handicap partner Williams chipping in with nett birdies on the fourth and 13th holes.
“We both played well on the front nine including an eagle on the ninth but we missed a few opportunities on the inward nine which might just have given us a cushion over the two Ians,” said Dinsdale.
“The course is in superb condition and hopefully we can sustain a challenge tomorrow and set up a great battle for the title.”
Also within striking distance of victory are international qualifiers Alan MacKenzie, another Scot, and Francisco Giles from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. They carded a 68.
Three clubs are tied in fourth place - Millbrook duo Rob Brightman and Duncan Steele, Killymoon’s Gary Chambers and Denton’s Mike Hollingworth and Paul Nuttall who all fired 69s.
Hollingworth is hoping to make it third time lucky as he competes in his third Gulf Air final.
The competitors were flown into Bahrain, courtesy of Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and are staying at the newly-opened L’Hotel located in the Seef district.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
67 Ian Taylor & Ian Thompson (Drumpellier), Richard Dinsdale & Steve Williams (Parc 3).
68 Alan MacKenzie & Francisco Giles (Dubai Creek).
69 Gary Chambers & Gerry Breslin (Killymoon), Rob Brightman & Duncan Steele (Millbrook), Mike Hollingworth & Paul Nuttall (Denton).
70 Michael Braidwood & Alan Horne (The Royal).
71 Alan Lovelace & Dan Reynolds (Merrist Wood College).
74 Wayne Alcock & John Kaine (Tamworth Municipal).

+ More information from the event at The Royal can be found under ‘Schedule, Scores and Results’ at http://www.pga.info/ProCaptainChallenge.aspx

PGA EUROPROTOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Paul Doherty (71) one off the pace at Slaley Hall

By ANTHONY LEAVER
Chris Hanson drew first blood at the 2009 PGA EuroPro Tour Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland today.
He holds a one-stroke lead with an opening round of two-under-par 70.
Hanson (Woodsome Hall) began his round on the back nine and quickly moved to two under par after four holes. Bogeys at the 18th and second holes put him back to level par before birdies at the fourth and eighth holes saw him card one of just four rounds under par in tough conditions in the North-east of England.
“I knew that a score around level would be good – so I’m pleased to have got in under par,” said Hanson. “I was a couple under early on but dropped those shots but getting an easy birdie at the fourth and another one at the eighth was pleasing and I hit a couple of good shots on the ninth to walk off at two under.”
Hanson has missed the cut in his last two events on the Tour but sits in a promising position at Slaley Hall and says he’s aware of what he needs to do to come out on top.
“The key for me in the final two rounds will just be to be as patient as I can be,” said the 24 year-old.
Former Scottish boys match-play champion Paul Doherty (North Gailes), Sandeep Grewal (ISM) and Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown GC) all carded 71s to sit on Hanson’s shoulder after the opening exchanges.
Doherty will feel aggrieved after bogey-bogey finish saw him slip from a leading position after recording five birdies in his round, while Grewal will be full of confidence after winning the PartyPoker.com International Open at Fairmont St. Andrews. He will look at an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole as the key to his good start to the event.
Matthews can claim the best comeback of the day after starting his round with an 8 on the par-4 10th. He recovered with five birdies to shoot a fine round of 71.
Adam Frayne (St Mellion) sits alone in fifth spot at level par 72 after cancelling out four birdies, with three in his opening four holes. He is one stroke ahead of a group of nine players at one over par – Phil Worthington (Donnington Grove), Colin Roope (wstore.co.uk), Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool), Simon Lilly (Wellingborough), Graeme Clark (Doncaster), Paul Maddy (Gog Magog), Steven Parry (Bolton), Jack Doherty (North Gailes) and Paul Dwyer (Clitheroe).
With much of the focus at the Tour Championship is on the top of the Order of Merit, Jack Doherty and Dwyer know that victory and the £15,000 winner’s cheque that goes with it could secure top spot from their respective fourth and fifth positions with money list leader Scott Jamieson perhaps opening the door to his rivals after an opening round 76 left him at four over. Jamieson is playing with closest competitors Tom Haylock (Ground Construction Ltd – second) and Daniel Brooks (Mill Hill – third) but neither managed to capitalise with Brooks matching Jamieson’s score and Haylock going round in 75.
The second round of the Tour Championship from De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland begins at 8.15am tomorrow with live scoring available at http://www.europrotour.com/.

FIRST ROUND LEADERS
Par 72
70 Chris Hanson (Eng).
71 Paul Doherty (Sco), Sandeep Grewal (Eng), Llewellyn Matthews (Wal).
Other Scots scores:
73 Jack Doherty (jt 6th).
75 Lee Harper (jt 17th).
76 Mark Kerr, Scott Jamieson, Elliot Saltman (jt 23rd).
78 Lorne Kelly, Duncan Stewart (jt 36th).
81 Barry Hume (jt 50th).

Work starts on Trump

International

- Scotland links

tomorrow

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY TRUMP INTERNATIONAL-SCOTLAND
From Donald J Trump:
“We are pleased to announce that work on site will begin tomorrow (Wednesday, October 28), ahead of schedule, to build the greatest golf course in history. For a golf course there are no dunes and there is no land as large and magnificent anywhere in the world. I want to thank Aberdeenshire Council, the business community and the residents of Aberdeenshire for their ongoing support”.
In response to the news that work on the site will commence, Jack Perry, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise, stated:
"As Head of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland's main economic, enterprise innovation and investment agency, I welcome the progress on Trump International Golf Links' development in Aberdeenshire. We value the commitment which the Trump organisation is demonstrating by commencing work on the site at Menie, as this type of new resort development, will deliver modern, high quality accommodation and facilities to Scotland.
"This is critical to our ambition to help Scotland realise more value from our tourism assets. The development will attract higher spending visitors from across the UK and overseas and will further support Scotland's position in the global market as the Home of Golf."
Robert Collier, Chief Executive, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, commented:
"The Chamber of Commerce is re-assured that the project is proceeding, despite the current downturn impacts on the global economy, being fully funded by the Trump Organisation. A resort of this profile, scale and quality is a critical component of the ACSEF strategy to position Aberdeen City and Shire as a place to do business, and a place to visit. It gives an international message that Aberdeen is open to business."
Philip Riddle, Chief Executive, VisitScotland, commented:
"Whilst this is a private development and VisitScotland did not have a role in the planning process, we recognise the significant economic impact it will have on the North-east, and indeed to the wider Scottish economy.
"Tourism will always be strong in the North-east, but this development will help refresh Scotland’s profile through the publicity it will generate and the potential for ancillary businesses. It is especially encouraging to see this level of investment, considering the current global economic climate and it shows the strength of appeal of the area."
Based approximately five miles (south) from Trump International – Scotland and celebrating their centenary anniversary this year, Hugh B Stuart, captain of Murcar Links Golf Club, said:
"There are several excellent championship golf courses in the North-east but this gives us a World Championship Golf Resort in our area. The links are a magnificent setting for this, very similar to our own links at Murcar.
"Our own experience of wild life at Murcar would be replicated at Menie and your expanses of water and marram grass will encourage wild life. This will be a big boost to tourism in the North- east and with the expected invasion of golfers, all the golf clubs (in the area) will benefit from this development."

Work on site will include stabilisation of the sand dunes, using the traditional technique of hand-springing, and slabbing of marram turves harvested on-site.
Chestnut pale fencing will also be installed when planting is completed to reduce wind velocity and encourage the stabilisation process.
Detailed master planning for the entire development continues and is on target for completion and submission to Aberdeenshire Council for approval in early 2010.
For more information, log on to to:
http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - TOP TEN QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

In response to Trump International – Scotland’s public exhibition hosted on September 18 – 19, 2009, a report addressing the top ten questions asked by local residents and members of the public is now available on-line at www.trumpgolfscotland.com and detailed below.

(Members of the public interested in learning more about the project as it progresses are welcome to join Trump International – Scotland mailing-list and are invited to e-mail their contact details to info@trumpgolfscotland.com).

Q 1. I’ve heard this development is only for the elite – will I be able to use the facilities?
A 1. The development will be accessible to all. This is not a ‘gated community.’ The golf courses, spa, tennis courts, equestrian centre, restaurants and shops, along with the community facilities within the residential village, will be accessible to the general public.
It is intended that there will be two main routes into the golf resort and village. The centre of the development is being designed to link into the wider public transport network to encourage ease of access for residents and visitors.

Q 2. I enjoy the (Balmedie) beach at weekends – will I still have access?
A 2. The beach will remain fully accessible to the public. Pathways through the development are planned, to encourage residents and visitors to explore the coastline and take full advantage of the beaches. A new public car park is also planned within the village which will link into one of the public routes across the courses onto the beach.

Q 3. I’d love to play the course, but I’ve heard it will be private membership – is this true?
A 3. The courses will operate on a pay-and-play basis and will be open to the public. Special discounted rates will be on offer to local golfers, so everyone can enjoy the courses. A limited number of corporate memberships may also be on offer.

Q 4. I’ve heard the buildings will be very high and am concerned they will look out of place. Can you provide more information on the design of the buildings?
A 4. Gareth Hoskins Architects is a leading Scottish architect and is working with Architecture & Design Scotland on the detailed design of the site to ensure the development fits with the character of the landscape and complements its wider surroundings.
Other than the hotel, the buildings are not likely to be higher than four storeys. The hotel, however, will be a taller landmark building. Our aim is to create an ‘iconic’ hotel that becomes synonymous with the area and provides a dramatic backdrop to the world-class championship events planned. Details of the height and design will, of course, be subject to further planning approval.
Gareth Hoskins Architects is now working on the appearance and character of the key buildings, which will be available for view in early 2010.

Q 5. There is a pathway to Balmedie on your plans which passes my house and goes through private land – has this been formally agreed?
A 5. The external footpath and cycleway on our recent plans illustrates the desire to create beneficial links between Trump International – Scotland and the neighbouring community of Balmedie. The route shown on the current lay-out is one of a number of possible options.
Creating a pedestrian route between the two villages is considered to be good master planning practice and has been encouraged by Aberdeenshire Council. We would like to explore this idea further in the future and aim to work with Aberdeenshire Council and local landowners to see how best this ambition can be achieved.

Q 6. I’m concerned the Trump development will put a strain on existing infrastructure and cause traffic problems – what are you going to do about this?
A 6. Infrastructure requirements have been set by Aberdeenshire Council and we have a legal agreement to provide funding for the expansion, or addition, of facilities and infrastructure requirements, including drainage, electricity and other services.
We are working in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and Transport Scotland to ensure this development also meets the infrastructure requirements set out by Scottish Government, which includes shared financial contributions towards upgrading junctions and roadways to accommodate the identified increase in traffic.

Q 7. Will the houses in the residential area cost millions of pounds?
A 7. A full spectrum of homes, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom luxury houses, will be on offer. Housing prices have not yet been set but they will be in line with market values in Aberdeenshire. We anticipate that many local people will occupy the houses planned, and will price them accordingly.

Q 8. I’m concerned about the staff accommodation proposed – will the jobs created be available to local people?
A 8. Appropriate levels of staff accommodation will be established as the development evolves and will be integrated into the resort area and village as needed.
We have already partnered with local recruiters and universities, and a range of training opportunities will be developed in the future. Job vacancies will be advertised locally.

Q 9. This development has outline planning approval. Why do you now need additional land?
A 9. A condition of outline planning consent is the development of a detailed Master Plan. In order to address this condition, a Scottish architectural firm - Gareth Hoskins Architects - was commissioned in January 2009 to revisit the plans and develop a greater understanding of the land and its special characteristics.
During this process, it has been identified that for the better planning of the area and the operational efficiency of the site, these six additional parcels of land need to be included.

Q 10. I think this development is great, but understand the Trump Organisation intends to use Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) – is this true?
A 10. The Trump Organisation has no CPO powers. CPO is a statutory process and the use of these powers is a matter for Government.
We are currently negotiating with our neighbours, regarding the acquisition of additional plots of land and hope to reach fair and amicable agreements.

Andrew Coltart improves

chances of avoiding return

trip to Tour School

FROM THE SCOTSMAN NEWSPAPER WEBSITE

By Martin Dempster
Andrew Coltart has given himself a fighting chance in his bid to hang on to a European Tour card after securing a top-ten finish in the Castello Masters at the weekend.
The 39-year-old former Ryder Cup player, pictured left, leaped to 124th on the money-list after picking up just over £39,000 for finishing in a tie for eighth place behind Sweden's Michael Jonzon in Spain.

The top 115 at the end of the 2009 tournament season secure their playing privileges for next season but Coltart, who went back to the Tour School just under a year ago to win back his card after finding himself without a full-time place on the circuit for the first time in 16 years, could be fine if he can stay where he is at the moment.

That's down to the fact around 10 players are due to drop off the list as it stands at present because they are either affiliate members like Camilo Villegas and Boo Weekley, or won't play the minimum 12 events required.

While pleased with the cheque he banked on Sunday, Coltart, now based in Edinburgh and a member at Archerfield Links, will be equally delighted that his top-10 finish has earned him a place in this week's Barclays Singapore Open, which carries a $5m prize fund.

Thanks to his top-20 finish in Spain, David Drysdale must surely now be assured of his place in the season-ending Dubai World Championship, the 34-year-old currently lying 42nd on the money-list.

He looks like being the only Scot in that event, though, with Paul Lawrie (78th), Colin Montgomerie (89th), Marc Warren (93rd), Richie Ramsay (95th) and Alastair Forsyth (101st) all still outwith the top 60.

Further down the money-list, it now looks as though Callum Macaulay (131st), Scott Drummond (135th), Steven O'Hara (152nd) and Chris Doak (167th) will all be heading for the Tour School in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Martin Laird has no such worries on the other side of the Atlantic, the on-form Scot having taken his earnings over the past two weeks to more than £500,000 after following up his win in Las Vegas by tying for 13th in the Frys-com Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday.

Laird, who shot a season-best 62 in the third round, has jumped another two places to 106th in the world rankings on the back of that effort but will have to wait a bit before trying to break into the top 100 for the first time as he's not playing in this week's Viking Classic in Mississippi.
+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Snedeker and Weekley win US Tour's

Skills Challenge including worse-ball

FROM THE PGA.COM WEBSITE
PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) -- Brandt Snedeker and Boo Weekley won the Golf Skills Challenge in a play-off at The Breakers on Monday.
In the final of the worse-ball portion of the contest, Snedeker and Weekly initially tied finalists J B Holmes and Kenny Perry at par, forcing a play-off on the 305yd, par-4 14th hole.
Snedeker and Weekley, who split $314,000 in total prize money, gained an edge when Holmes' drive landed next door on the 15th tee. Holmes put them into further trouble by hitting into a trap 46 feet from the hole.
"He hits it so long it's kind of hard for him to gear down," Weekley said. "When J B hit it left I figured he'd kind of hit a 4-iron or 3-iron and lay back a little bit. It was a tough shot from over there."
The champions sank a 3ft putt to win $200,000 for the reverse scramble portion of the event. Holmes made a 6ft putt for par, but Perry's putt skimmed past the hole, ending it.
"I thought it was awesome," Snedeker said of the format. "It put a lot more pressure on you when you realize you could let your partner down besides yourself. That makes it much harder."
Snedecker and Weekley set themselves apart from the rest of the field by winning three of the first six skills challenges: the bunker shot, chip shot and trouble shot.
The three others were the long drive, mid-iron, and short iron.
In the worse-ball semi-finals, Snedecker and Weekly faced Fred Couples and Hunter Mahan.
The other semi-final had Holmes and Perry against Fred Funk and Nick Price.