Road to Dubai is a road too far for Anthony Kim: 'I

need the week off, my parents want to see their boy'

Anthony Kim says he will not be going to the Dubai World Championship to compete for the $7.5 million bonus pool, even though he has easily qualified.
Kim was beaten by Ross Fisher in the 36-hole final of the Volvo world match-play championship in Spain last weekend, last week in Spain. That performance moved him up to No 39 in the Race to Dubai standings on the European Tour. He already has played 11 events to meet the minimum required, assuring him a spot in the 60-man field to end the European season in two weeks.
But Kim has had second thoughts. The Road to Dubai is a road to far.
"I'm not going," said Kim said today at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions tournament at Shanghai.
"I need the week off," he said. "My parents want to see their boy."
Kim looked weary as he hit balls with a headphone playing music attached to his left ear.
He played in Las Vegas a week after the Presidents Cup, then flew to Spain for the World Match Play. Next week is the two-day Kiwi Challenge exhibition in New Zealand, followed by a few days of sightseeing before heading back to America. His last event of the year will be the Chevron World Challenge on Dec. 3-6 in California, which Tiger Woods hosts.
He has been all over the world this year -- Malaysia and Australia in February before flying to Arizona for the World Golf Championship in Arizona; then Spain, China and New Zealand in consecutive weeks.
"Next year, I just want to be prepared for our season," he said of the US PGA Tour, where he failed to win this year. "The US PGA Tour is my home tour, and it's where I need to play well.
"I've made it my priority to play well in the States. I was all over the place this year. I didn't do a good job of scheduling. Scheduling is half your job as a pro. I learned a lot this year."
Even so, Kim said he would not stop traveling.
He was among half a dozen U.S.-based players who joined the European Tour to take part in the Race to Dubai, which ends with a $7.5 million tournament and $7.5 million bonus pool at the Dubai World Championship.
Only the top 60 on the money list qualify -- Kim, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas were the only American-based players who signed up for the Race to Dubai and will make the final 60.
"Even if they don't have a Race to Dubai next year, I'm still going to sign up for European Tour membership," Kim said. "There's a different vibe out here, and it's good to experience it. I just need to do a better job with my schedule."
Kim will not be replaced in the Dubai World Championship.

Dale Whitnell collects English Golf Union Order of Merit trophy

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Having led the table for most of the year, Dale Whitnell has won the Titleist/FootJoy English Golf Union's Order of Merit for 2009.
To mark his achievement, the 21 year old from Tiptree in Essex was presented with the trophy by Jacques Retief from Titleist and FootJoy along with English Golf Union (EGU) officials at a special ceremony at his home club, Five Lakes.
Whitnell, who finished over 300 points ahead of his Walker Cup team-mate Luke Goddard, this year enjoyed three victories, three third places, and reached the semi-finals of the English Amateur.
He was also a member of the winning England teams against Spain, in the European Nations Cup, the Ashes against Australia and the Home Internationals and was also a member of the GB&I Walker Cup team.
After collecting the trophy, Whitnell said: “I’m delighted to have won after what has been a consistent year for me. I only missed two cuts and in every other tournament I finishing in the top five and although we didn’t win the Walker Cup it was good experience.”
Jacques Retief, Titleist and FootJoy’s Leadership Next Generation Liaison Manager said “The quality of the top amateur game has improved beyond belief in recent years and we are delighted to be able play a part in the success of English golfers by continuing this successful partnership with the EGU.”
Having turned professional immediately following the match against the United States at Merion in September, Whitnell is looking to win a card at the European Tour Qualifying School and he hopes his success will reflect that of his former England team-mate Chris Wood.
“Chris won the Order of Merit for the past two years and look at what he has done since,” added Whitnell. “Hopefully I can do as well.”
But as he opens a new chapter in his golfing career, Whitnell is mindful of the help and guidance he has received in the amateur game.
“Representing your country has to be the pinnacle of an amateur career and I loved it every time I pulled on an England shirt,” he added. " I’m grateful to the EGU. They have a marvellous set-up now which has produced a lot of winners this year and that is due to all the work they do. But now it’s time to move on and hopefully I can be as successful as a professional.”
Also at Five Lakes was Essex County President Mike Thirkettle who said: “The County is delighted with what Dale has achieved this year and for him to finish number one is an honour for Essex. We are also delighted he has received this award and we wish him every success in his future career which we will watch with interest.”

Fairways Target Golf Leagues

By Neil D. Hampton
Golf & Marketing Director, Loch Ness Golf Course
WEEK 5. Monday night saw some good scoring from all the teams which led to some very interesting results. Orion had their highest score of the season so far and the second highest of the night but thy were up against the team would had the highest score of the night BM Trucks. This was also the Trucks' best score of the season and preserved their unbeaten record and guarantees them a place in the top half when the split comes in two games time.
The nights most important game was between the Parahandies and the Loch Ness Juniors who were joint second behind the Trucks. Unfortunately the Juniors only scored 45, which is their lowest of the season, and the Parahandies took the win by just 7 shots.
The Sainties had a return to form and managed to beat 3 Men and Caddy who had another good score and will pose problems very soon. The Neverwillbees had the bye and in relaxed mode had one of their best totals of the season. These results leave the Juniors in joint third place with the Sainties just a point ahead of fifth placed Orion and with just two games to go before the split, six of the seven teams can still make it into the top four and the fight for the Top Team Play-off Places.
Results:
Orion 55 – 77 BM Trucks
Three Men and a Caddy 33 – 45 The Sainties
Loch Ness Juniors 45 – 52 Parahandies
The Neverwillbees (Bye) 54.

On Tuesday night games went according to the form book, more or less, but that doesn’t give you any idea how the teams played. The Fairhurst Fore, who have never really troubled the play-offs, had their best score since the Spring League in 2008 but it was only the second best of the night and, you’ve guessed it, they played the team with the highest score!
The Luckless Leadbetters were the ones and it seems that Fairhurst should borrow the first part of their name for the rest of the season. The Muirton Marvels kept alive their hopes of getting into the top four with a close win by just five over King Kenyon’s Klan and the Mad Drivers also took the points to maintain their place in the top four with a low scoring win over the Coastguards.
The Senior Moments played solidly and scored well but the Fairways fire power was enough to see them off and stay at the top of the table with the Leadbetters. With the two leaders well ahead there are only four points separating five teams between third and seventh, so with just two games left there could be some nervous moments before the split.
Results:
Fairhurst Fore 68 – 85 Luckless Leadbetters
Fairways 63 – 44 Senior Moments
Mad Drivers 26 – 11 Coastguards
King Kenyon’s Klan 44 – 49 Muirton Marvels.

HOW THEY STAND
MONDAY NIGHT LEAGUE
1 BM Trucks P5 Pts 10
2 Parahandies P5 Pts 8
3 Loch Ness Juniors P5 Pts 6
4 The Sainties P5 Pts 6
5 Orion P5 Pts 5
6 Neverwillbees P5 Pts 3
7 Man and a Caddy P5 Pts 1

TUESDAY NIGHT LEAGUE
1 Luckless Leadbetters P5 Pts 9
2 Fairways P5 Pts 9
3 King Kenyon's Klan P5 Pts 6
4 Mad Drivers P5 Pts 6
5 Muirton Marvels P5 Pts 4
6 Senior Moments P5 Pts 4
7 Coastguards P5 Pts 2
8 Fairhurst Fore P5 Pts 0

Tiger Woods seeking seventh title of

the year in Shanghai

Shanghai, November 4: World number one Tiger Woods returns to the HSBC Champions this week with the every intention of wrapping up some unfinished business.
The American superstar also hailed the event’s elevation into Asia’s first World Golf Championships tournament, saying the historic milestone will accelerate the growth of the game in China and across Asia .
Woods will headline a world-class field which will include 15 of the top-20 players in the world, including world number two Phil Mickelson and title holder Sergio Garcia. The region’s top stars Thongchai Jaidee, Liang Wen-chong and Asia ’s first Major champion Yang Yong-eun are also in the elite 78-man field at Sheshan International Golf Club.
Describing the HSBC Champions as “the crowning jewel of all of Asian golf”, Woods is on a mission as he finished runner-up here in 2005 and 2006 behind David Howell of England and Korea ’s Yang Yong-eun respectively.
“I’ve been a part of it on two occasions, and how this event has grown to where it's at now is truly remarkable,” said Woods today.
“Olympic status will help grow the sport in so many of the emerging golf markets, including China . But holding our first WGC event here is another key moment. This tournament will play a big part in spreading the recognition and appeal of golf worldwide. I am excited to be playing this tournament, and I am equally excited that it is being contested in China .”
He will no doubt start as firm favourite to win a seventh title of the year after coming back successfully from a major knee surgery. His record in WGC events is also unrivalled where he has won a staggering 16 of 30 tournaments staged.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing against such great fields. That's the whole idea of having the World Golf Championships. It’s not just the major championships that we all get together, and The Players (Championship). It’s now these World Golf Championships events. It’s a lot of fun for players to compete against these guys. For some reason, I’ve also had a lot of success,” said the 14-time Major winner.
The HSBC Champions will also mark the first time that Woods and Mickelson will compete in the same event together in Asia . Mickelson, who finished tied 14th in Singapore last weekend, currently holds bragging rights over Woods at the HSBC Champions as he won the tournament in 2007 compared to Woods’ two unsuccessful attempts.
“I think this is a very important event for the players. We want to help grow the game here in China . We want to compete against the best players in the world. And to be able to win a world-class event in China would mean a lot to me and to all of the other players in the field,” said the American left-hander.
Title-holder Garcia enjoyed a personal high 12 months ago with a Monday-finish victory at the HSBC Champions which helped him rise to a career high second in the world rankings. But since then, the swashbuckling Spaniard has been winless, a stat which he hopes to change at Sheshan this week.
“It was a great week (last year) and I’m really looking forward to hopefully do something as good or similar,” said Garcia. “It brings me good thoughts. I feel like the game is starting to be pretty good.”
Like Garcia, history-maker Yang is also relishing a return to the HSBC Champions where he beat Woods three years ago for his first big victory which he memorably repeated at the US PGA Championship in August.
“The biggest memory is of sitting with Tiger during the awards ceremony in 2006. Having my picture taken with Tiger was probably the biggest thrill. And also, the biggest impact I think was when I held that trophy, that was the first European Tour/Asian Tour event trophy that I held up, and that felt like an immense significance towards my career,” said the Korean.
China ’s hopes will rest on the in-form Liang, who finished second behind England ’s Ian Poulter in Singapore last weekend to move to second place on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
“This is such a great event. It’s a great opportunity for players like myself to play in a world-class tournament,” said Liang, who was Asia ’s number one in 2007.
“My form is getting into shape and I want to thank my coach Kel (Llwellyn) for helping me work on my game. I feel things are falling into place over the past few months,” added the Chinese, who will play the opening two rounds with Padraig Harrington and Paul Casey.

Gavin Dear wins play-off on Minor

League Mini Tour in Florida

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Gavin Dear, who turned professional immediately after the Walker Cup in September, has recorded his first victory in the paid ranks.
The Murrayshall man, who joined forces with Callum Macaulay and Wallace Booth to lift the Eisenhower Trophy for Scotland just over a year ago, made his breakthrough on the Minor League Mini Tour, a circuit that is based around West Palm Beach in Florida.
Dear, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, shot a 67 in the one-round Hillcrest Classic and then secured the $725 top prize by winning a six-man play-off at the third extra hole.
He has earned around $1,560 playing in five events on the circuit since heading over to the States after making his professional debut in the Dunhill Links Championship last month.
"It's a decent tour that is well run," said Dear, who went to Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and returned to America towards the end of last year to win the Dixie Amateur Championship.
"It's not easy to make money on, but it's good for keeping the game sharp."
Dear, who has Keir McNicoll, his former Scottish team-mate, for company, fell at the first hurdle in the qualifying for next season's European Tour and has targeted the Alps Tour instead of the PGA EuroPro Tour as a possible circuit for 2010.

The 25-year-old from the Perthshire village of Scone is exempt into the final stage of qualifying in Italy this month and added: "The Alps Tour seems a more constructed schedule – there are 24 events compared to the 13 on the EuroPro. It's also £85 to enter compared to £275. Okay, you are travelling to Europe, but they have a couple of events back-to-back in the same area. Most EuroPro events are in southern England, so that is still a lot of travelling.
"Most importantly, though, the money break down seems much better. I see myself as a consistent player but also good enough to win on both tours. I think on the Alps Tour I will be rewarded more for my consistent play and I can let wins happen whereas I feel that on the EuroPro Tour I would have to try and make wins happen.
"It's all about finishing in the top five on the order of merit to gain access to 2011 Challenge Tour and second stage of Tour School, and I think Alps Tour is the best way to go for me."
After the Alps Tour qualifying, Dear will head back to America to practise while he is also aiming to meet some of his former amateur team-mates when they head over to try to succeed him in the Dixie Amateur Championship.
"Ross Kellet, Stevie McEwan and James Bryne are playing in it this year," he said. "Ross and Stevie are coming across 10 days in advance, so we will have some games and bit of practice together. I'm going to go down and play with them at Heron Bay, where the Dixie is held."

McNicoll, who also made his professional bow in the Dunhill Links, is in Florida preparing for the second stage of the European Tour School, to be held in Spain in two weeks' time.
"I flew out to Florida on October 19 and will come home just prior to the second stage," said the 25-year-old from Carnoustie.