US golf writers name Tiger player of the year

Tiger Woods has been voted male player of the year by the Golf Writers Association of America by an overwhelming margin over Steve Stricker, with most ballots returns after he became embroiled in a sex scandal.
It was the 10th time Woods has won the award in his 13 years as a pro.
LPGA Tour rookie Jiyai Shin was voted female player of the year over Lorena Ochoa, while Loren Roberts won the senior player award.
Woods, forced out for eight months with major knee surgery, returned to win six times on the US PGA Tour. He captured the FedEx Cup, along with the PGA Tour money title and the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
He received 168 votes (84%), while Stricker had 20 votes and US PGA champion Y E Yang received 13 votes.
The players will be honoured April 7 in Augusta, Georgia, at the GWAA's annual awards dinner, by which time Tiger Woods may be back in circulation.

Knox slips to joint 15th place finish on Hooters Tour

Russell Knox from Inverness earned $1,480 for a joint 15th place finish in this week's NGA Hooters Tour Winter Series event at Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club, Haines City, Florida.
The Florida-based Scot had eight birdies over opening rounds of 69 and 68 to be lying fourth after 36 holes but he could manage only one birdie, at the 13th, in a closing round of two-over-par 74 for a total of five-under 211.
Knox finished 10 shots behind the winner by four shots of the $12,368 first prize - Joe Affrunti from Illinois with scores of 68, 67 and 66 for 15-under-par 201.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
201 Joe Affrunti (Illinois) 68 67 66 ($12,368).
205 James Vargas (Florida)( 68 71 66, Brad Klapprott (Florida) 65 71 69, Patrick Nagle (California) 69 67 69 ($4,977 each).
Selected score:
211 Russell Knox (Scotland) 69 68 74 (jt 15th) ($1,480).

Dates, venues for 2010 Scottish men's amateur golf season

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
The Gullane No 1 course in East Lothian tops the list of venues for the Scottish Golf Union’s 2010 schedule when it hosts the Allied Surveyors Scottish amateur championship in July next year.
Six years on from George Murray’s dramatic victory over Paul O’Hara when the venue last hosted the country’s leading 256 amateur golfers, the recently extended Gullane course will provide the venue for the SGU’s flagship championship from Monday, July 26th to Saturday, 31st.
The domestic season gets underway in earnest with the Scottish boys' championship at the scenic West Kilbride course (April 5-10) while Ayrshire hosts another ‘Major’ the following month when the Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play championship returns to Glasgow Gailes (May 28-30).
East Lothian will also be host to some of the leading junior golfers from the UK and overseas when the Scottish boys' open stroke-play championship takes place at Craigielaw (July 23-25) while Peebles in the Borders is the venue for the Scottish boys' area team championship for a third time (June 6).
The Scottish Seniors Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship moves to a new date in the schedule (30 June – 2 July) with Pollok on the south side of Glasgow providing a great setting for the country’s veterans, many of whom will be battling for a place in the Senior Home Internationals side which the SGU will host at Crail (14 – 16 September). The Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths (Under 21s) Championship also moves to a new date of 7 – 9 May with the event being staged at Monifieth.
Auchterarder will be the scene of both the firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys U16s Open Championship (6 – 8 July) and the Loretto School sponsored Scottish Boys & Girls U14s Open Championship (9 July). Fortrose & Rosemarkie will be the SGU’s most northerly venue in 2010 when it stages the Scottish Club Championship (26 September) with East Renfrewshire playing host to the Scottish Mid-Amateur (Over 25’s) Open Championship (12 – 14 June).
Euan Mordaunt, SGU Events Manager, said:
“We have some fantastic venues for Scotland’s amateur golfers to look forward to in 2010 and we are very excited about the quality of golf courses lined up for our championships in the season ahead.
“There have been some significant changes on Gullane No 1 with a new eighth hole and several new tees and it will provide a great challenge for competitors playing in our flagship event. The SGU is very grateful to all the clubs who host us throughout the year and indeed the members who give up their courses.”
“These great venues allow us to develop talent through our championships and hopefully we’ll see some good crowds turn out locally to support the players.” he added.
Details of a new date, venue and revised format for the Scottish Area Team Championship will be announced early in the New Year. Entry forms for all national championships will be available to download from www.scottishgolf.org.

US Tour will miss Tiger but it will survive, says supremo Finchem

US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem says Tiger Woods' indefinite leave doesn't spell "gloom and doom" for golf.
Finchem said that while the sport's biggest star's absence will hurt and television ratings won't be as strong, the (US) Tour will have a prosperous season in 2010. He said that would happen whether Woods was out for two months or all year.
Finchem said that Woods only plays about 16 times a year, and the other tournaments have survived. The commissioner said the six tournaments that raised the most money for charity did not have Woods in the field for the last few years.

South African Open Championship

Richie Ramsay covers nine holes

in 30 but it's Martin Erlandsson

who leads with a 64

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
One of the best shots of his life helped Swede Martin Erlandsson to an eight under par 64 and a one stroke lead on the opening day of the South African Open Championship.
In addition to six birdies Erlandsson, seeking his first European Tour win in more than 170 attempts, hit a three wood to three feet on the 530 yard fifth at Pearl Valley, Western Cape.
The 35 year old from Malmo stated afterwards that it was one of those strokes where you just say "Wow, what happened?"
Erlandsson looked as if he might grab his maiden victory in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last August.
Ten birdies in a closing 62 swept him from six behind to two in front - he concentrated on his thumb to take his mind off what he was doing - but compatriot Peter Hedblom was still out on the course and hit back to win by one.
Only a week ago Erlandsson began the new European Tour season by playing his first nine holes at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in a nightmare 46, but this time he came home in a superb 30.
Sunday's winner Pablo Martin produced a brilliant finish too to share second place with South African Dawie Van der Walt on 65.
Martin, the only player to win European Tour titles as an amateur and a professional, was only two under with six to go, but birdied the 13th, 16th and 17th and then eagled the 601 yard last.
“It was a very well played hole,” said the Spaniard.
“I hit driver 315 yards down the right side of the fairway, and I had 265 yards to the front of the green. I had to hit it very hard, so I gave it all.”
Van der Walt also had two eagles, following a three on the fifth with a pitch into the hole for a two at the 386 yard tenth.
“I basically drove it in the middle of the fairway on nearly every hole,” said Van der Walt. “I think I only missed two fairways and one of the fairways I missed, I holed my second shot.”
Denmark's Anders Hansen, third at the weekend and clear leader of the Sunshine Tour money list with only this week to go, had an eagle and seven birdies, but also three bogeys for a 66 and fourth place.
Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay, pictured above, had a chance to outshine all of them when he covered the back nine first in a six birdie 30, but in the end he had to settle for a 67 and fifth place overnight.
Italian Edoardo Molinari, South African Charl Schwartzel and England's Ross McGowan are all trying to climb into the world's top 50 just in time to earn a place in the Masters Tournament at Augusta in April.
Omega Mission Hills World Cup winner Molinari needs a top eight finish and ended the day on four under, but the other two have to be first or second and only managed five over par 77s.
McGowan, returning to action a month after being runner-up to Lee Westwood at the Dubai World Championship, was actually three under after six, but then had two triple bogeys and a double bogey.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
64 Martin Erlandsson (Swe)
65 Pablo Martin (Spa), Dawie Van der Walt (Rsa)
66 Anders Hansen (Den)
67 Richie Ramsay
68 Michiel Bothma (Rsa), Richard Finch, Michael Jonzon (Swe), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
69 Jacques Blaauw (Rsa), Damien McGrane, Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa), Adilson Da Silva (Bra), Alan McLean, Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Dylan Frittelli (Rsa)
70 Jamie Elson, Callum Macaulay, Louis Moolman (Rsa), Soren Hansen (Den), Peter Karmis (Rsa), Doug McGuigan, James Kamte (Rsa), Carlos Rodiles (Spa), Michael Hoey
71 Fredrik Ohlsson (Swe), Shiv Kapur (Ind), Richard McEvoy, Kenneth Ferrie, Dion Fourie (Rsa), Sam Hutsby, Carl Suneson (Spa), Robert Rock, Chris Williams (Rsa), Tyrone Ferreira (Rsa), Markus Brier (Aut), Keith Horne (Rsa), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Richard Sterne (Rsa)
72 Scott Dunlap (USA), Garth Mulroy (Rsa), James Kingston (Rsa), Branden Grace (Rsa), Chris Swanepoel (Rsa), Gavan Levenson (Rsa), Stuart Clark, Jean Hugo (Rsa), Phillip Price, Andre Cruse (Rsa), James Morrison, Oliver Bekker (Rsa), Grant Muller (Rsa), Merwe Bennie Van Der (Rsa), Jbe Kruger (Rsa), Ariel Canete (Arg), Lindani Ndwandwe (Rsa)
73 Joost Luiten (Ned), Robert Coles, TC Charamba (Zim), Josh Cunliffe (Rsa), John Bickerton, Ryan Dreyer (Rsa), Richard Bland, Titch Moore (Rsa), Steve Basson (Rsa), Peter Whiteford, Paul Waring, Julien Guerrier (Fra), Rhys Davies, Jake Roos (Rsa), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Marc Cayeux (Zim), Simon Khan, Desmond Terblanche (Rsa)
74 Desvonde Botes (Rsa), Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Brandon Pieters (Rsa), Andrew Coltart, Bradford Vaughan (Rsa), George Coetzee (Rsa), J G Claassen (Rsa), Marco Ruiz (Par), Hendrik Buhrmann (Rsa), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Oskar Henningsson (Swe), Sam Little, Mark Murless (Rsa), Neil Schietekat (Rsa)
75 Anton Haig (Rsa), Gareth Maybin, Nic Henning (Rsa), Oliver Fisher, Gary Clark, Gary Murphy, David Drysdale, Thabang Simon (Rsa), Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor), Adrian Ford (Rsa), David Dixon, Justin Walters (Rsa), Trevor Fisher Jnr (Rsa), Deane Pappas (Rsa)
76 John Parry, Pelle Edberg (Swe), Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Dean Lambert (Rsa), Tyrone Van Aswegen (Rsa), Charl Coetzee (Rsa), Christian Ries (Rsa), Jaco Ahlers (Rsa), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Keenan Davidse (Rsa), Albert Pistorius (Rsa), Julien Quesne (Fra), Mark Haastrup (Den), Christiaan Basson (Rsa), Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Barry Lane
77 Clinton Whitelaw (Rsa), Reggie Adams (Rsa), Andrew Butterfield, Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Trevor Dodds (Nam), Peter Baker, Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Gary Boyd, Wayne Westner (Rsa), David Hewan (Rsa), Ross McGowan
78 Shane Lowry, Shaun Norris (Rsa), Eugen Marugi (Rsa), Andrew Curlewis (Rsa)
79 Prinavin Nelson (Rsa), Neil Cheetham, Divan Van Den Heever (Rsa), Irvin Mazibuko (Rsa), Ryan Cairns (Zim), Gary Lockerbie, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Alan Michell (Rsa)
80 Warren Abery (Rsa)
81 Tyrone Mordt (Rsa), Leon Knoll (Rsa), Derick Petersen (Rsa)
82 Alex Haindl (Rsa), Merrick Bremner (Rsa), Andrew Tampion (Aus)
83 Heinrich Bruiners (Rsa)
84 Omar Sandys (Rsa)

North-east District Golf Association secretary George Young, double Scottish champion David Law with the Civic Plaque, district committee member Jim Hunter, who is also a town councillor, and Gordon Murray, vice-president of the Scottish Golf Union. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency. Click on it to enlarge.

The young champion himself. David Law with the plaque and the two Scottish championship trophies (boys on left, men's on right) he won in 2009. in the Bon Accord Room of the Aberdeen Town House today.

DAVID LAW HAS NOT PLAYED GOLF

SINCE NOVEMBER ASSAULT

IN ABERDEEN CITY CENTRE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Double Scottish golf champion David Law has not been able to hit a ball since he was beaten up in the early hours of a November morning just off Aberdeen's Union Street.
The 18-year-old revealed at today's Aberdeen Civic Luncheon in the Town House, where he was the guest of honour, that the injury to his left hand received in the unprovoked assault has proved more serious than was first suspected.
"I did try to do a little chipping but it was hopeless. I couldn't grip the club for the pain in my left hand from the little finger down the way," said David after receiving a plaque from Lord Provost Peter Stephen to mark his historic golfing double in 2009.
The Hazlehead Golf Club member won the Scottish boys' match-play championship over Royal Aberdeen's links in early April and then, on August 1, he captured the Scottish men's amateur championship at Royal Troon's links after a memorable week of match-play victories over the best players in the country.
"My first big event of 2010 is the Jones Cup in the United States in late January. I've been getting treatment from Karen at the Scottish Sports Institute and I'm hoping that I will be able to start playing again by the middle of next month so that I can get into some sort of shape for the trip to America," he said.
"It's the longest break I've had from golf since I started playing. I suppose if there ever was a good time to have it, then this is it but it's so boring and frustrating to be sitting at home doing nothing."
Law confirmed that he sees himself spending another two years as a full-time amateur golfer. His target is to gain selection for the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 2011 Walker Cup match against the United States to be played over the Balgownie links where he won the national boys' title nine months ago.
"That would be a nice way to end my amateur golf career and turn professional."

In his speech Lord Provost Stephen paid tribute to Law's historic sporting achievement while still a teenager and a member of a muncipal golf club (Hazlehead).

+Among the guests at the Civic Luncheon were David's mum and dad, Teresa and Dave, his brothers Chris and Daniel and sister Josephine, uncle and aunt Gerald and Ann Kelly, as well as North-east District Association officials George Young (secretary), Jim Hunter (who is also a town councillor) and Gordon Murray, vice-president of the Scottish Golf Union.

+David Law's coach Neil Marr was also in attendance and David specifically thanked him for his input without which "none of the good things of 2009 might have happened for me."

Nigel Edwards getting down to it ... image by courtesy of Tom Ward.

Nigel Edwards appointed GB&I team captain for

Walker Cup match at Royal Aberdeen in 2011

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R&A
Nigel Edwards has been appointed as the captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team that will face the United States of America at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in the 2011 Walker Cup match. Edwards will also captain the GB&I team as they take on the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy Match at Castelconturbia Golf Club, Italy, next year.
A long-time member of Whitchurch Golf Club, he has played in four successive Walker Cup matches between 2001 and 2007, winning four matches, losing five and halving three.
“I am delighted to have been invited to be the next Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup captain. It is a great honour for me, my family and for Welsh Golf, and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” said Edwards.
“The goal is to win back the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen and I will lead the team with great pride and enthusiasm. I will put all of my Walker Cup experience to good use in ensuring that the team selected prepares well and performs to the very best of its ability.
“The Walker Cup is a great sporting spectacle that conjures up moments and experiences that will live with players for their entire careers and I am really excited about continuing my involvement with the match.”
Edwards was instrumental in GB&I’s 2003 victory at Ganton Golf Club, holing a 30yd putt from off the green at the 17th to ensure overall victory and finishing as that match’s leading points-scorer. In 2005 and 2007, the 41-year-old was part of GB&I teams that suffered defeat to the USA by a single point.
“Nigel is absolutely the right person to regain the Walker Cup in 2011 and we are delighted that he has accepted the invitation,” said Chairman of Selectors, Tony Disley. “Not only will his extensive recent experience and outstanding record in team golf ensure the respect and admiration of his players, but his enthusiasm and determination to succeed will prove an invaluable asset at Royal Aberdeen.”
In addition to his Walker Cup successes, Edwards has been part of three victorious GB&I teams in the St Andrews Trophy and part of two winning European teams in the Bonallack Trophy against Asia/Pacific. He also won the Home Internationals and the European Nations Cup with Wales in 2002.
Edwards is the Director of Player Development and Coaching at the Golf Union of Wales, taking responsibility for directing player development and managing the provision of coaching for elite players and national teams. He is still ranked just outside the top 100 amateur players in the world (103rd) according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and he has been in possession of nine amateur course records including those of Royal Lytham & St Annes and the New and Jubilee courses at St Andrews.

HSBC withdraw from sponsorship of Wee Wonders

Banking giant HSBC has pulled out of its sponsorship of the Wee Wonders Championships, the brainchild of Gullane professional Alasdair Good.
Read the full story and what Alasdair has to say about it by switching over to our sister website, www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

SGU tournaments dates, venues for 2010 season coming up ...

The Scottish Golf Union tournament dates for the 2010 season will be released for publication after midnight tonight.
We'll have them first for your perusal on this website.

Ron Menzies new president of SGU's North-east District

North-east Alliance secretary Ron Menzies (Royal Aberdeen) has become the new president of the North-east District of the Scottish Golf Union following the district annual meeting.
Mike Pocock (Oldmeldrum) becomes vice-president.
Retiring president Willie Donald (Stonehaven) was reappointed as a committee member.

Christmas stocking fillers: Why not tickets for

Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie?

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY EUROPEAN TOUR
There can surely be no better stocking filler for the golfing fan in your life this Christmas than tickets for The 2010 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard from July 22-25.
The 24th edition of this prestigious event will for the first time be held over the magnificent links course at Carnoustie, the scene of American Tom Watson’s first Major victory in 1975.
Watson, three times a winner of The Senior Open Championship, is sure to be in the field alongside his compatriot Loren Roberts, who will be defending the title he won at Sunningdale Golf Club earlier this year.
Co-sanctioned by The R&A, the European Senior Tour and The Champions Tour and recognised as one of golf’s three Senior Majors, this year’s event featured appearances from many of the game’s greatest players including England’s Sir Nick Faldo, Germany’s Bernhard Langer, the Scottish duo of Sandy Lyle and Sam Torrance, Australian Greg Norman and Wales’ Ian Woosnam.
Substantial savings can now be made both on day passes and season tickets for The 2010 Senior Open Championship, which are priced respectively at £16.50 and £60, with a further 10% discount available to MasterCard holders.
To order your tickets, visit www.europeantour.com/tickets, or call +44 800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123, Renfrew Court Three, Paisley. PA3 4EA. Alternatively, you can email tickets@europeantour.com.

English Golf Union extends agreement with SkyCaddie

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Twelve months after its decision to allow Distance-Measuring Devices (DMD) to be used at all of its 2009 Championships, the English Golf Union (EGU) is delighted to announce the extension of its agreement with SkyCaddie which sees the brand becoming the Official Rangefinder of the EGU.
This follows the statement from The R&A last month announcing amendments made to 'Decisions on the Rules of Golf' 2010-2011 edition which also included a joint statement made by The R&A and the USGA regarding the use of DMDs, confirming that the current practice of allowing DMDs by Local Rule remains appropriate.
EGU Chief Executive, John Petrie, explained the EGU’s decision to allow DMDs last year as one that they believed would have a positive effect on the pace of play; and moreover, that SkyCaddie’s support had allowed further investigation to help realise that ambition within the rules of the game.
During 2009 SkyCaddie supported all EGU National Championships, providing SkyCaddie GPS units for competitors to use at each event. In addition questionnaires were given to all players, including those who didn’t use a DMD and those that used their own personal devices, to assess their effect on pace of play.
The overwhelming response to the survey was that more than 90% of players believed DMDs helped the pace of play. In addition the EGU’s tournament staff and referees also highlighted that since the introduction of DMDs start times never needed to be pushed back or delayed (unless for weather) and there had been a really positive effect on the pace of play.
John Petrie commented, “Although our decision last year received overwhelming support from Counties and clubs there were still some concerns. Twelve months on and after important consultation with both players and officials we are pleased that we have some constructive results that can benefit the delivery of our events.
“This would not have been possible without the assistance of SkyCaddie. The support they gave at each of our events to both players and officials was outstanding and we are delighted to be able to extend our partnership into 2010.”
SkyCaddies will again be available for competitors at selected events to use in EGU events throughout 2010. In addition, SkyCaddies will also be made available to each member of the England squads. Jackie Hitchcock, Managing Director of SkyCaddie UK, said, “Working so closely with the EGU during 2009 gave us some unique and highly valuable opportunities. I believe that the EGU’s stance on DMDs, and the results of the survey which followed, provide clear guidance to club operators and event organisers.
“The survey shows that when golfers use a SkyCaddie, or a similar device, they play faster. This fact alone should encourage more UK golf clubs and organisers to allow DMDs by Local Rule during the 2010 golfing season.
“We will continue to strive to give golfers ever more accurate information via our mapping process – which we conduct in harmony with the wishes of English golf clubs. We are delighted to enter our second season as the EGU’s Official Rangefinder, and we look forward to strengthening the relationship over the long term to mutual advantage.”
The EGU emphasises that the ruling to allow the use of DMDs reflects the details of Rule 14-3 and that the device must measure distance only; it must not measure other conditions such as wind speed or direction, the slope of the ground or the temperature. Any player found using such a DMD will be in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

Tiger faces being ridiculed for next 25 years, says Alliss

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Peter Alliss, the veteran BBC golf commentator, has claimed that Tiger Woods will face being ridiculed for the next 25 years over the personal problems that have led to the world No 1 taking an indefinite break from the sport.
Alliss, who was speaking during a guest appearance at the PGA Scottish Region annual luncheon in Glasgow, described Woods' situation at the moment as "awful" following his confession over "infidelities" and says he's going to need a "minor miracle" to get both his life and career back on track.
"We all feel sorry for his wife and the upset it has caused his family because he is going to be a figure of fun or ridiculed for the next 20-25 years," Alliss said. "It will be interesting to see if his mind is powerful enough to combat all the slings and arrows of outrageous jibes and jokes."
Alliss believes that Woods' best option might be to make a public appearance to express remorse.
"Having gone to America many, many times, I think I know a bit about them," added Alliss. "And it would appear that if you declare yourself as an addict of something in America and have treatment for it, you get sympathy.
"If he's going to declare he's a sex addict, like Michael Douglas, the actor did, and go to a clinic for treatment, and says he is trying to get back on track, that could be something in his favour."