RUSSELL KNOX, 74 IN ROUND 2

KNOX AND McKNIGHT HAVE A BAD DAY AT SCHOOL Former Scotland youth international Russell Knox from Inverness, but based in Florida for the past six years since his college days at Jacksonville University, has seen his hopes of making it through to the US Tour's Final Qualifying School in December sink in the second round of the Stage 2 eliminator at Hombre Golf Club, Panama City Beach, Florida today. Knox, winner of one of the Stage 1 events, followed up a promising first-day score of 70 with a three-over-par 74 for a two-over 36-hole tally of 144. That has dropped him to joint 39th - with some players still to finish - behind the three leaders on nine-under 133, South African Andrew McLardy (68-65) and Americans Casey Wittenberg (65-69) and Garrett Osborn (64-69). Knox was five over par for the last 11 holes, his troubles starting with an uncharacteristic double bogey 6 at the eighth. He then bogeyed the 10th, 12th, 14th and 18th, offsetting the damage only slightly with a birdie at the 16th. Earlier in the round he had birdied the first, fourth and sixth and dropped only one shot, at the second. Only the leading 20 players and ties after four rounds will advance to the Final Q School. Robert McKnight from Ayrshire, the only other Scot in the field at the six Stage 2 events being held across the United States, had a disastrous second round of 80 at Deerwood Golf Club, Kingwood in Texas. He was in joint 43rd position after a one-over-par opening round of 73. Now he is almost bottom of the pile in joint 72nd position with a two-round tally of 153 - 18 shots behind American leader Emmett Turner with rounds of 68 and 67. McKnight had a double bogey 6 at the second ... another double bogey 6 at the sixth ... and just to rub it in, he had a triple bogey 6 at the short 17th. His hopes of making the US Tour Final Q School have gone completely.

Singh talk swayed McIlroy towards US move next year

FROM THE BBC.SPORT.COM WEBSITE
Rory McIlroy has revealed that a conversation with Indian player Jeev Milkha Singh convinced him to join the US Tour next season.
Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke advised McIlroy not to accept a US Tour card for 2010 but he was swayed by Singh's endorsement of the move.
"I had lunch with Jeev during the World Match-play Championship," said McIlroy.
"He said: 'If you want to why not? You're young. It's great.' That was the conversation that probably swung it."
The 20-year-old sought as many opinions as possible before making his decision to accept his US PGA Tour card.
"I went to Clarkey (Darren Clarke), Westy (Lee Westwood), Chubby (his manager Andrew Chandler), Ernie (Els) and said: 'Look, I'm thinking about it , what do you think?'
"They said: 'There's no rush. Why don't you try and win a bit more over here (on the European Tour) before going over there?'"
However, his conversation with Singh, who competes on both sides of the Atlantic, then tipped the balance.
"I want to challenge myself against the best and the only way to do that is to play the best fields possible," added McIlroy.
"Most of the events I'll play over there will have Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker... all the best players in the world."
The Northern Irishman - he lives near Belfast - said he did not think the decision would affect his chances of winning the European Tour's order of merit in the future.
"I don't think this will be my last chance. I can learn from playing over there," added McIlroy.
"I want to challenge for majors and everything. I think that will benefit me in the long run."
If McIlroy finishes ahead of Westwood, Kaymer and Briton Ross Fisher this week, he will become the second-youngest European Order of Merit winner behind Seve Ballesteros, who topped the money-list at the age of 19 in 1976.
This week's tournament winner will take home almost £740,000 and earn a five-year European Tour exemption.
The European No 1 title-winner will earn a bonus of almost £900,000 and a seven-year Tour exemption.

Peter Smith and Steve Martin miss out on Algarve

Fraser Mann wins £1,450 and one of six top

cards for next year's European Seniors Tour

By STEVE TODD, European Senior Tour Press Officer
John Harrison fired a final round 67 to win the European Senior Tour Qualifying School by three shots in Portugal, setting the lowest total in the event since 2001.
The Englishman finished on 14 under par 270 at Pestana Golf Resort’s Vale da Pinta course on the Algarve, the lowest aggregate 72 hole score since Steve Stull’s 10-shot victory eight years ago, to lead the 20 graduates who secured playing privileges on the 2010 Senior Tour.
Joining him in the top six, who all gain full cards in Category 6 for next season, were Argentine Adan Sowa, who also posted a 67 to finish second on 11 under par, Sweden’s Anders Johnsson and Australian Graham Bannister, who finished a further shot back, with Carnoustie-born former Scottish PGA champion Fraser Mann, the Musselburgh pro, and Angel Fernandez of Chile both on eight under par.
Carnoustie-born Mann, winner of both the Northern Open and Scottish professional titles in 2002, had at least a shot to make up to get into the top six and he responded to the pressure with a bogey-free round studded with four birdies in five holes from the eighth.
He said: "I've really been looking forward to coming on the Senior Tour for the last couple of years now and I should be able to play in most of the events. I played some super golf today and it was my putting that got me into the top six."
Mann celebrates his 50th birthday on February 21, 2010. He has won over £250,000 on the Tartan Tour since he turned pro in 1979. Fraser picked up a cheque for £1,450 for his joint fifth finish in Portugal but the key of the door to the over-50s circuit is far more important in terms of potential future earnings - his "pension fund" as the Seniors Tour was once described by another Scot, Ross Drummond.
Englishman John Harrison, who won £3,500 as leading qualifier, was equally pleased.
“I’m delighted to get my card for next year,” said Harrison, who becomes eligible for the Senior Tour when he turns 50 in May. “I came here this week hoping to get in the top six so to win it was fantastic. I’m really chuffed and I’m looking forward to next season.”
Having led the Stage One Qualifiers from Pestana Resort’s Gramacho course last week, Harrison had taken a three stroke lead into the deciding round of Final Stage and never looked like surrendering his position at the top of the leaderboard.
After a nerve-settling birdie on the second hole, his only mistake of the day came on the fourth when he found the trees with his tee shot and had to chip out, eventually making a bogey.
A fine six-iron approach shot to six feet on the seventh hole saw him retrieve that shot and he added further birdies on the 10th and 14 holes. The club professional from Matfen Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne then capped off a superb week when he rolled in a 20ft putt for another birdie on the last hole.
“There was a lot of pressure out there even though I had the lead and I didn’t feel relaxed until I came down the last two holes,” said Harrison.
“Today was the worst I have played all week but I scored well. I’ve putted really well all week and that has been the best part of my game.”
Harrison’s victory means he will follow in the footsteps of his elder brothers Phil and Steve who have both played on the Senior Tour.
“I’m sure Phil will play some events next year and Steve will probably play in the De Vere PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall, which is our local event, so we could all be there together,” said Harrison. “I’m not sure if there has ever been three brothers together on the Senior Tour so that would be a nice first for us.
“I played on The European Tour for a couple of years but because of working as a club professional I never had chance to fully commit to it so this is my second chance. I’ve got a very good golf club and I intend to play as many events as I can after I turn 50 in May.”
Harrison will look to replicate the success of Kenneth Ferrie, whom he coached to two European Tour titles, while he will also hope to follow the example set by South African Bertus Smit, who finished second at last year’s Qualifying School and went on to win the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open on the 2009 Senior Tour.
“My target will be to retain my card for the next season as I can’t play all of the events with not being 50 yet but you never know,” said Harrison. “You look at Bertus winning and you think ‘why not?’.
“I’ve coached for the past 16 years and helped Kenneth to his two titles so it’s now my chance to have a go.”
The top six players all carded final rounds of 67 apart from Australian Banister, who secured his card with a round of 68.
A further 14 players secured conditional cards for next season, led by Englishman Mark Belsham and American Pete Oakley, the 2004 Senior Open Champion, who also both signed for rounds of 67.
Three other Englishman, John Gould, Ricky Willison, and Steve Cipa gained playing privileges along with American pair Greg Towne and Mike Donald, Zimbabwean Mike Williams, Swedish-based but Scots-born Terry Burgoyne and Canadian Graham Gunn.
Former World Cup winner Torsten Giedeon of Germany will also return to the Senior Tour for another season along with Peter Dahlberg of Sweden, Jean Pierre Sallat of France and Glyn Davies of Wales. Dundee's Steve Martin and Aberdeen's Peter Smith finished on the 286 mark, missing out by four strokes from making the top 20 and at least some appearances on the over-50s pro circuit next year.
Both Steve and Peter could not recover the ground lost with opening rounds of 76.
Jeb Stuart, the American who had been joint leader on 68 on Day 1, finished up being squeezed out on a comparison of final rounds from the top 20. He finished with a 73 while the two other players who had the same 72-hole total of 282, both scored 72.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
270 J Harrison (Eng) 68 68 67 67 (£3,500).
273 A Sowa (Arg) 68 71 67 67 (£2,400).
274 A Johnsson (Swe) 69 70 68 67, G Banister (Aus) 71 69 66 68 (£1,800 each).
276 A Fernandez (Chi) 73 68 68 67, F Mann (Sco) 69 74 66 67 (£1,450 each).
279 J Gould (Eng) 71 68 70 70, P Oakley (USA) 69 72 71 67, M Belsham (Eng) 73 72 67 67 (£1,200 each).
280 R Willison (Eng) 67 70 71 72, M Williams (Zim) 68 75 67 70 (£975 each).
281 T Burgoyne (Swe) 69 73 70 69, M Donald (USA) 69 68 72 72, G Gunn (Can) 71 67 73 70, G Towne (USA) 69 72 72 68, P Dahlberg (Swe) 69 74 64 74, S Cipa (Eng) 71 70 72 68, T Giedeon (Ger) 67 71 71 72 (£364 each).
282 G Davies (Wal) 68 71 71 72, J Sallat (Fra) 68 72 70 72.
=============MISSED THE CUT FOR CARDS ===============
282 J Stuart (USA) 68 71 70 73 (eliminated with poorest last round of three players who totalled 282).
283 P Allan (Eng) 70 68 75 70
284 B Hardwick (Can) 72 69 71 72, J Stansberry (USA) 74 69 73 68, M Briggs (Eng) 72 69 70 73, I Mosey (Eng) 75 68 74 67
285 D Johnson (USA) 69 75 72 69, C Acutis (Ita) 73 72 71 69, G Ryall (Eng) 70 72 76 67
286 S Martin (Sco) 76 68 70 72, P Smith (Sco) 76 70 70 70
289 J King (Eng) 70 70 77 72
290 J Hall (Eng) 73 75 68 74, M Kierstenson (Eng) 74 73 70 73, M Gallagher (Eng) 72 74 70 74, M Aparicio (Esp) 68 78 70 74
291 S Shields (Eng) (am) 74 72 72 73, J Mills (Eng) (am) 73 71 73 74
293 S Van Vuuren (RSA) 75 69 73 76
299 K Worm (Den) (am) 74 70 74 81

Reasons to be cheerful for David Glee-son

after a five-under-par 67 to lead by two

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Siew Reap , Cambodia. Australia ’s David Gleeson broke away from a bunched leaderboard to take the first round lead at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open today.
Gleeson, a two-time Asian Tour winner, shot a five-under-par 67 which included a birdie at the 18th hole to lead by one shot in the US$300,000 event.
Filipino Artemio Murakami, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-hong, Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai and Thai trio Pariya Junhasavasdikul, Annop Tangkamolprasert and Atthaphon Prathummanee share second place on 68s at the Phokeethra Country Club.
India ’s Shiv Kapur shot a 70 which included an eagle two and three other birdies.
Gleeson turned in 35 with birdies on the second and fifth holes but dropped a shot on the ninth. He continued his climb up the leaderboard with further birdies on 10, 13 and 15 but it was the 20ft birdie conversion at the closing hole which highlighted his round.
“The 18th hole is one of the strong holes here so I am quite surprised I was able to sink that putt. It was one of those that fell in the last minute. I didn’t know it was going in but it is definitely good to move away from the rest,” said Gleeson.
The former Australian amateur champion has managed only one top-10 so far this season and he was delighted to hit form early in the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, which is celebrating its third edition.
“I have been playing alright of late but my first round has always pulled me down. My goal was to play well on Thursday and see what happens after that. I’ve accomplished half of it so I expect to push forward from here on,” he said.
Murakami, winner of the 2007 Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia , also showed a welcome return to form after missing three consecutive cuts. The Filipino, who is battling to save his Tour card, credited his putting which helped him to a flawless round highlighted by four birdies.
“I have been struggling with my putting the whole year but I was putting well again and that really saved me. Hopefully I can keep it going for the next three days,” said Murakami.
The bubbly Filipino is currently in 77th position on the rankings and needs to break into the top-65 with two more events remaining on the Asian Tour Schedule. “I have to continue to shoot low numbers in my next three rounds to give myself a chance of keeping my card but I do not want to put too much pressure on myself. I will just play according to my own pace,” said Murakami.
Pariya, one of Thailand ’s emerging young players, was also in excellent form as a superb ball-striking display earned him numerous birdie chances. The 25-year-old hit 16 greens in regulation but was disappointed not to convert more putts.
“I am not really pleased. A lot more could have been done but it was a good start. My ball striking has been great but I wish my short game could come together,” said Pariya.
Starting from the back nine, Lin, who is the younger brother to five-time Asian Tour winner Wen-tang, fired a flawless outward nine from the 10th hole to make the turn in 31 but suffered one bogey coming home.
“I am happy with my performance but was quite disappointed not to have a better score. The undulating greens on the back nine were very tough and I could not putt as well as I wanted to,” said Lin, who is searching for his maiden title.
The unheralded Khor recovered from a bout of food poisoning to battle his way into contention. The Malaysian wielded a new putter which worked wonders for him as he managed to sink back-to-back 20 foot birdie putts on the 11th and 12th holes.
“I didn’t expect to do well and thought of coming out this morning to withdraw so I am glad I changed my mind. It was one of my best rounds I have played so far and it could have been better if not for the double bogey (second hole) where my approach found the water,” said the Khor, who started his round from the back nine.
FIRST-ROUND LEADERS

Par 72

67 David Gleeson (AUS)
68 Lin Wen-hong (TPE), Artemio Murakami (PHI), Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA), Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS), Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA)
69 Vikrant Chopra (IND), Craig Smith (WAL), Namchoak Tantipokakul (THA) Thanyakorn Khrongpha [A] (THA), Chris Roake (ENG), Neven Basic (AUS)
70 Jeff Burns (USA), Jay Bayron (PHI), Chris Campbell (AUS), Rahil Gangjee (IND), Anirban Lahiri (IND), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Marcus Both (AUS)
Selected scores:

72 Ross Bain (Scotland), Rohan Blizard (Australia), Iain Steel (Malaysia), Steve Parry (England).

74 Rhys Davies (Wales).

75 Simon Dunn (Scotland).

Renfrewshire Golf Union's A Team, winners of the West of Scotland League.

Renfrewshire Golf Union's successful youths team.

RENFREWSHIRE TEAMS SWEEP THE BOARD

NEWS RELEASED ISSUED BY RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION

By DON BREMNER

donbremner@ranfurly9.freeserve.co.uk
Having already won the Scottish area team championship, the Renfrewshire Golf Union Youth and A Teams were determined to add the West of Scotland League trophies to the collection. Previous results meant that the final games of the season were essential wins for both teams if that was going to be achieved.

The Youth Team had a home game at Elderslie Golf Club against Dunbartonshire and early results were not encouraging with 16-year-old John Henry (Clydebank and District) drawing first blood against Bonnyton’s Andrew McLachlan.
Michael Campbell (Renfrew) and Sam Binning (Ranfurly Castle) recorded good wins to give team managers Rob Crusher and Stewart Jamieson hope of the required victory and by the time Johnny Caldwell (Greenock) came off the 18th hole two up with his well known winning smile, the teams were level at three games each.
It was left to Alex Ferguson and Alistair Lauder from Paisley GC and Greenock’s Graeme Forbes to add the three wins needed for full points. Alex won 4 and 2, Alistair 4 and 3 and Graeme held his nerve at the 18th for a one hole victory against Matthew Anderson of Douglas Park.
Winning by six matches to four was enough to see the Junior League Cup added to the trophy cabinet.
The full Renfrewshire squad was:
Sam Binning, Jack Bradley, Johnny Caldwell, Michael Campbell, Alex Ferguson, Graeme Forbes, Darryn Grant, Jordan Grant, Alistair Lauder, David Lawson, Allan Johnston, Andrew McLachlan and Daniel Muir.
The A Team squad over the West League campaign was:
Bryan Adam and Gary Price (Paisley), Michael Campbell (Renfrew), Murdo Carmichael and David MacFarlane (Greenock), Ronnie Clark and Michael Dailly (Erskine), Nicky Gold (Bonnyton), Steven Higgins (Gourock), Derek Anderson and Scott McGrenaghan (Cochrane Castle), Craig Watson and Colin Thompson (East Renfrewshire), Willie MacMillan (Eastwood), Graeme Campbell (Old Ranfurly), Matt Clark, Brian Smith and David Miller (Kilmacolm), Gregor Munro (Ranfurly Castle) and Paul Alexander (Caldwell).

The team travelled to Lenzie Golf Club to face Dunbartonshire needing a win and Scottish international Craig Watson led the way with a 2 and 1 victory.
Bryan Adam won comfortably 4 and 3 and Colin Thompson, Nicky Gold and Willie McMillan all recorded good wins.
Gary Price added the essential final win with a comfortable 4 and 3 victory and the champagne bottles popped as the third trophy made its way to Renfrewshire.

US Tour pays 132 pros $4,000 each for

a tournament that never took place!

Now here's a new twist. What about getting paid for a tournament that never took place?
Well, it's happened in America.
The US PGA Tour is making a $4,000 payment in lieu of travel expenses to each of the 132 players who entered the Viking Classic, which was cancelled because of recurring wet conditions.
The total pay-out of $528,000 had been funded by the US Tour out of the scheduled $3.6 million purse.
“That was a Tour decision and I think it’s a good thing to do, a generous good-faith gesture,” said tournament director Randy Watkins said. “Guys spent a lot of money to go to work and couldn’t get to do their work.”
Watkins said the Viking’s Century Club Charities will have its portion of the purse returned. He said the event’s five sponsors would receive a credit toward next year and that the tournament would incur a small net loss as a result of the cancellation.

David Drysdale seven off pace with par round

Robert Allenby (65) leads Dubai World Championship

FROM THE US PGATOUR.COM WEBSITE
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Robert Allenby shot a 7-under 65 today for a one-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai World Championship, while Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy kept up their battle for the European Tour money title.
Allenby, a 38-year-old Australian who plays mainly on the US Tour, had eight birdies and only one bogey on the Earth Course, which is hosting the $7.5 million final event of the European Tour season.
Allenby was one shot ahead of England's Westwood, Chris Wood and Colombian Camilo Villegas, who all shot 6-under 66s.
When the tournament ends Sunday, the top player on the European Tour's money list will win a $1.5 million bonus from the new Race to Dubai.
Westwood, lying second in the race, was two shots ahead of money leader McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who shot a 68. Westwood produced three birdies in the final four holes to boost his chances of overtaking McIlroy's $191,000 lead in the money race.
The two other players in contention for the money title were further off the pace. Germany's Martin Kaymer shot a 71, and England's Ross Fisher had a 73.
It was only last weekend that Allenby, resting at his home in Florida, decided to travel to Dubai with a new set of clubs in his bag. He adjusted quickly to their feel on the desert course, designed by fellow Australian Greg Norman.
Allenby, who has missed only one cut in European Tour events in 10 years, approached his club suppliers, Srixon, for a new set of irons, to comply with new rules on clubhead grooves which come into force on January 1.
"They were sent to my home in Florida after I returned from the HSBC tournament in Shanghai and they were just sitting there," he said. "But when I hit them once on the range I really liked the way they felt.
"Although I was not gaining a lot of distance with them, I tried to work out what I needed to do to create more spin with them and now my ball flight is so much better than it was. I definitely liked them and I have really noticed a big change."
Earlier in the day, Villegas, playing for the first time in a month after injuring an ankle falling down a flight of stairs during a tournament in Spain, had taken the clubhouse lead with a 66. That score was matched later in the day by Westwood and Chris Wood.
Villegas arrived in Dubai saying he was tired after a recent hectic international schedule that took him to tournaments in Spain, China and New Zealand.
"If you look at it, that's five nights spent on a plane in one month and that's something I am going to have to get used if I am to play schedules on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
65 Robert Allenby (Aus)
66 Chris Wood, Camilo Villegas (Col), Lee Westwood
68 Rory McIlroy, Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Adam Scott (Aus), Wen-chong Liang (Chn), Padraig Harrington
69 Retief Goosen (Rsa), Nick Dougherty, Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Johan Edfors (Swe)
70 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Alexander Noren (Swe), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Simon Dyson, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Bradley Dredge
71 Oliver Wilson, Sergio Garcia (Spa), Gareth Maybin, Martin Kaymer (Ger), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Peter Lawrie, Anthony Wall, Ian Poulter, Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Ross McGowan, Henrik Stenson (Swe)
72 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Peter Hanson (Swe), David Drysdale, Justin Rose, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Richard Sterne (Rsa)
73 Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Ross Fisher, Anders Hansen (Den), James Kingston (Rsa), Soren Hansen (Den), Scott Strange (Aus), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Jamie Donaldson, Luke Donald, Thomas Levet (Fra)
74 Robert Rock, Damien McGrane, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Ernie Els (Rsa)
75 Steve Webster, Peter Hedblom (Swe)
76 Graeme McDowell, Danny Willett
78 Graeme Storm

Greg Norman predicts golf's global prize-money will be cut

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By Marvin Collins
Two-time Open champion Greg Norman believes the current generation of touring pros will be playing for less prize money in the future.
The 54-year-old Australian was speaking before the start of the Dubai World Championship, which opened today on the Earth Course that Norman designed for the event that marks the end of the European Tour season.
"Golf is not going to be like it used to be. It's tough out there – tough in business," Norman said. "I hate the players to look recession-proof, but the players have to be aware. I have gone through the cycle of things being really good and then going through another cycle. But I don't think the young generation see it because they have never seen it before. I have been through three recessions."
The Dubai tournament originally had a $10million prize fund, but that was reduced to $7.5million in September because of the global economic downturn.
Norman said the situation could be mirrored elsewhere in the US and in Europe.
"We golfers have got to be alert to it," Norman said. "We have all had to tighten our belts and I think it would be very responsible of the players to be cognisant of that."
Englishman Lee Westwood, who has won about $3million this year, said the prize in Dubai – the winner will get $1.25million – is still a lot.
"We should not complain about the cut in the prize fund here because we are still competing for an awful lot of money, and we are aware that some golf sponsors are struggling at the moment," he said.

Would Scotland put a golf education ahead of

reading and writing ... I don't think so!

SAYS COLIN FARQUHARSON
Scottishgolfview.com has been providing a platform for a debate about what should be done to help talented Scots youngsters fulfil their potential in the pro ranks.
China, with many, many millions more of a population to draw on, is attempting roughly the same objective from virtually a standing start with a view to making an impact as golfers in the Olympic Games now that the sport will be added to the programme in 2016.
Interesting to read in the Reuters article below that the Chinese plan to single out their best prospects and send them off to "special schools" for several years. Their education will suffer but golf lessons almost morning, noon and night over an extended period adds a new dimension to the words "child's play!"
Could we?... Do we want to go along such a route in Scotland in attempt to produce more golfers on the world stage who would reflect well on the Home of Golf. I think not.
E-mail your comments to Colin@scottishgolfview.com if you want your view to be published.

Single-minded Chinese plan golf schools to produce

potential gold-medal winners at Olympic Games

By Nick Mulvenney
Reuters Agency staff man in Beijing, China
China has already begun to throw the considerable weight of its state-run sports system behind the game of golf after the sport won a place at the 2016 Olympics.
With the Soviet-inspired system almost single-mindedly dedicated to Olympic success, the Copenhagen vote was always going to have far more impact in China than other countries.
"The state-supported system has proved a huge success over the past 60 years," deputy sports minister Cui Dalin told local media at a women's tournament in Xiamen last week.
"Golf is an Olympic sport now and we will make full use of the system to develop the game."
Development Chinese-style involves selecting children with aptitude for a sport at a young age and training them like professionals at special schools around the country.
They then feed up through the pyramid structure via inter-provincial competition with the best reaching an elite national squad where they will focus on Olympics achievement.
"First, we want Chinese to get to the 2016 Games and then we will aim for good results at following Olympics," Cui told the China Daily.
"If we want to have a bright future, we have to start the work at the grass roots level. We will set up more golf tournaments for young people and also send some of the youngsters abroad."
Cui was also at the launch of the $7 million WGC-HSBC Champions, where Tiger Woods said he thought the Olympic vote key to China becoming a power in the game.
China Golf Association (CGA) boss Zhang Xiaoning, also in Shanghai, agreed.
"It will increase the popularity of golf in China and it will become a more popular game for everyone, instead of a game for the privileged few," he told reporters.
"No matter what, the government's policy will change the perspective in China."
The sports ministry is already working on ways to change the perception of golf in China, starting with an attempt to reduce the tax paid by the country's 500 golf courses, presumably so the often exorbitant green fees can be reduced.
"Golf is widely seen as game for entertainment and thus the business tax rate is 22 per cent for golf clubs," Cui said.
"Adding the land-use tax, a golf club has to pay almost a 30% tax rate. That will not boost golf's popularity here and has to be changed."
Even before the Olympic announcement, the China Golf Association was already looking for help in developing golf in China from the established heartlands of the game.
The US PGA and European Tours, with an eye on a huge potential market, have been courting China and both wheeled out their top officials in Shanghai.
They are both also co-sanctioning the $5.5 million World Cup of Golf at the 12-course Mission Hills complex in Shenzhen next week.
But, however rich the tournaments the tours co-sanction in China, and however big the foreign names they attract, the ultimate goal for Zhang is to produce his own Tiger Woods.
China's top current men's player is 31-year-old Liang Wenchong, who was Asian Tour champion in 2007 and is now ranked 46th in the world.
As was the case in tennis, however, Zhang thinks that China's best chance of finding a talent to take on and beat the best in the world in golf will come in the women's game.
There, 20-year-old Beijinger Feng Shanshan has impressed in her first two years on the LPGA Tour, while Zhang Na is a consistent performer on the lucrative Japanese Tour.
"I am sure we will see that day very soon but we are very likely to see a lady Chinese 'Tiger' in the future faster than a male Chinese 'Tiger'," he said.

DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCES

LOCAL APPOINTMENTS

FOR FIRST PHASE

NEWS RELEASE
Following planning approval for marram grass planting and preparatory earthworks on October 27, Trump International – Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Moray Landscapes and a team of Ecological Clerks of Works from EnviroCentre, Stonehaven, to undertake the first phase of work (on the Menie Estate, pictured above, at Balmedie, north of Aberdeen).
Donald J. Trump, president and chief executive of The Trump Organization, expressed: “In addition to the team of leading Scottish consultants working behind the scenes, I am delighted to announce the first of many local contractors who will help deliver this project for the benefit of the region and for Scotland.”
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “This is an important milestone and we welcome Trump International’s commitment to contracting local businesses for what is going to be a major international development. This will ensure that the project will have a real impact on local companies and stimulating new jobs and investment for the North-east and wider Scottish economy.”
Stabilisation of the sand dunes using the time-proven technique of hand-sprigging, Cullen-based firm, Moray Landscapes has worked on some of the most sensitive sites in the North-east of Scotland. Beginning hand-sprigging this month will enable the team to take advantage of the November to March marram grass season when the vegetation is dormant and the weather conditions are considered most favourable.
Director Eddie McQuat stated: “Having worked on significant coastal erosion restoration projects throughout the north of Scotland, we are delighted to bring over 30 years' experience to this major development.”
North-east ecologists, Peter Cosgrove, Kathy Dale and Jackie Webley, from EnviroCentre, carry a breadth of knowledge and skills, and have worked on projects such as Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeen Harbour and Aberdeen’s Western Peripheral Route. Kathy Dale, principal ecologist said “We welcome the opportunity to provide an independent Ecological Clerk of Works service for this important site.”
Sinclair Agricultural & Recycling Services Ltd, based near Ellon, is also currently working at Menie Estate.
* Moray Landscape Holdings Ltd, Cullen, was formed in 1977 and principally performs landscape construction, ground maintenance and aftercare, site clearance and site finishing operations, semi mature tree planting and all aspects of plant material procurement. In addition, the company’s Specialist Projects Division focuses on areas such as sand-dune systems and coastal erosion works, and has worked on all pipeline landfall projects at St Fergus Gas Terminal, since 1977, and other coastal restoration projects from Benbecular to Shetland, and north-west coastal areas of Scotland and north-east England.
* EnviroCentre Limited is a consultancy with an area office in Stonehaven. The ECoW team has over 30 years' experience of working and operating on a range of environmental projects in the North East of Scotland.

North man Stuart Rennie is named Toro Golf

Course Architect Student of the Year 2009

NEWS RELEASE
Stuart Rennie (29) of Keppie, the leading UK architecture practice, has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Golf Course Architecture from the European Institute of Golf Course Architects with Distinction.

The landscape architect, pictured right, has also been awarded the coveted Toro Golf Course Architect Student of the Year 2009. The prestigious qualification is the only accredited Golf Course Architectural diploma running in the world and attracts students from across the globe.

Stuart is now one of the few qualified golf course architects practising in Scotland, which creates a unique selling point for Keppie. The practice intends to provide specialist design advice to both new and existing golf clubs across the UK and internationally.

The practice’s capabilities now include environmental assessment, design reviews and expertise, masterplanning, landscape design and landscape and habitat management plans.
With Stuart’s specialist environmental knowledge gleaned from his course and dissertation research as well as professional practice experience, Keppie can also help clubs gain Environmental Certificates from the Scottish Golf Environmental Group.

Stuart Rennie’s first golf-related project delivered is the synthetic turf nine-hole putting green at Maxim Office Park in Lanarkshire off the M8 link between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The putting green, designed to provide a leisure activity for the office park, was constructed by European Golf and endorsed by Alastair Forsyth, PGA Professional.
Stuart Rennie, Landscape Architect at Keppie, said: “I’m delighted to have completed my post graduate studies in Golf Course Architecture and very much looking forward to putting it to use at Keppie. There is a massive market for both new courses and existing clubs looking to upgrade or gain environmental accreditation.

"With so few multi-disciplinary architectural practices specialising in this area, we have identified a gap in the market and hope to develop opportunities with new and existing clients. With Scotland being the home of golf, it makes perfect sense to give it a shot.”
A keen golfer himself, Stuart has been a member of Muir of Ord and Royal Dornoch Golf Clubs since a young age, both courses which inspired Stuart to the career path he is on. He played for the North of Scotland golf team, competing at junior, youth and senior level before moving to Edinburgh to study.

Stuart studied Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art and received a scholarship for golf playing for the Heriot-Watt University team. He has now been working in professional practice as a landscape architect for three years and is working towards his Chartership.

Michael Stewart (above) and David Law (right)

Michael Stewart versus David Law in first round

of Argentina championship as all four Scots qualify

Scots David Law and Michael Stewart will play each other in the first round of the match-play stages of the 114th Argentina men's open amateur championship for the Kenneth R Gordon Davis Cup at Buenos Aires Golf Club.
Stewart, the 2008 Scottish boys' match-play champion from the Troon Welbeck club and a

second-year student at East Tennessee State University, was the 11th of the 64 qualifiers after two rounds of stroke-play.
Stewart had rounds of 69 and 74 for 143 while Aberdeen Hazlehead member David Law, winner of both the Scottish amateur men's and Scottish boys' match-play titles this year, was the 54^th qualifier. Law had rounds of 75 and 76 for 151.
Under the automatic draw No 11 plays No 54.
Colville Park's Ross Kellett was the highest Scottish qualifier in joint third place with a pair of 69s for an impressive six-under-par total of 138, two shots behind Benedict Staben (Germany) and Julian Lerda (Argentina), the top two seeds.
Kellett will play the 61^st qualifier, Valentino Dall'arche (Argentina) Guilliaume Cambis.
James Byrne (Banchory), a student at Arizona State University, completes the four Scots in the match-play line-up. He qualified in 20^th place with scores of 70 and 74 for 144, the same level par total as England's Eddie Pepperell (Drayton Park).
Byrne plays Argentina's Martin Celsi who qualified in 48^th place.

Pepperell, the 19^th qualifier, plays Mariano Malmierca (Argentina), who qualified in 46^th position with rounds of 78 and 72.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) was the 40^th qualifier with scores of 72 and 76 for 148. He plays Peter Spearman Burn (New Zealand), the 25^th qualifier with rounds of 73 and 72 for 145.
All ties are over 18 holes up to the final which will be over 36 holes.

LEADING QUALIFIERS

Buenos Aires Golf Club, Argentina

Par 144 (2x72)

136 Benedict Staben (Germany) 67 69, Julian Lerda (Argentina) 65 71.

138 Ignacio Elvira (Spain) 69 69, Ross Kellett (Scotland) 69 69 (4th seed).

Selected qualifiers

143 Michael Stewart (Scotland) 69 74 (11th seed)

144 Eddie Pepperell (England) 72 72 (17th seed), James Byrne (Scotland) 70 74 (20th seed).

148 Tommy Fleetwood (England) 72 76 (40th seed).

151 David Law (Scotland) 75 76 (54th seed).

+64th qualifier had a total of 153.