Tuesday, January 26, 2010

SCOT ON HOOTERS TOUR

Knox's two-under-par 70 only good enough for share of 16th

Inverness exile Russell Knox shot a two-under-par 70 but finds himself "only" in a share of 16th place at the end of the first round in this week's NGA Hooters Tour Winter Series event at Rio Pinar Country Club, Orlando in Florida.
Based at Jacksonville Beach, Florida since his four years at Jacksonville University, the former Scotland youth international was going really well when he turned in three-under-par 33 with birdies at the third, fifth and ninth but he lost a bit of momentum with a bogey 6 at the long 10th.
He got the shot back with birdie at the 12th but then dropped a second shot at the 15th on his way to one-over-par 37 for the inward journey.
Ted Potter (Silver Springs, Florida) is setting the pace with a six-under-par 66. He leads the field of 115 players by one shot.
Two players from England are among the group of six players sharing fifth place on 68. They are Dave Thomas from Dunmow, Essex and Paul Maddy from the Gog Magog club, Cambridge.

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Verdura Spa & Golf Resort's sixth green with the Mediterranean providing the blue background.

......................................The approach to the 18th green at Verdura Spa & Golf Resort.

Niall Cameron Director of Golf Operations at
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Verdura Spa & Golf Resort in Sicily
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By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Some people have all the luck! Glasgow-born Niall Cameron, now 50, is Director of Golf Operations at Verdura Spa & Golf Resort in Sicily, Italy. Has been in this plum job since July 2008.
But, to be fair, luck does not have much to do with Cameron's success. Being in the right place at the right time is not Niall's secret as he has built up an impressive international CV.
As you can read below, it stretches from winter work as a young assistant professional to Bob Jamieson at Turnberry on Arnold Palmer's course at Bay Hill Club, Orlando to designing and building a course at Marrakesh, Morocco and working with course architect Kyle Phillips (of Kingsbarns fame) over the last 15 months of the Verdura project.
"I have a low boredom threshold and I have been able to change direction in my career several times and consider myself very lucky to have been able to do so," says Niall, pictured above.
Cameron has also been lucky in love. He married Fiona Alcorn in 1987 and they have two sons. The elder, Alasdair (19) is a student at Aberdeen University and the younger, Robbie (18) is sitting A Levels this year.
Niall and Fiona must have made a formidable mixed foursomes pairing at their peak. She still has two of a handicap and is a past club champion at Cardross Golf Club and three times women's of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Deal in Kent.
So let's have a look at Niall Cameron's CV:

Born Glasgow 1959
Brought up from age of four at Turnberry. Family lived opposite the first fairway.
Became assistant to Bob Jamieson, the head pro at Turnberry.
1977-82: Five years winter work arrangement at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida. There Niall acquired early knowledge about golf course agronomy which would later be developed.
Scottish assistants champion at Prestwick 1979. Played in Open Championship at Muirfield 1980.
British PGA 'Trainee of the Year' 1980 and winner of the Scottish equivalent 'Stuart Thom' Award 1980.
1981-82 Played European Tour.
1983-84 Club pro at Tenby, South Wales.
1984-88 Cardross GC head pro.
1988-95 Head pro at Royal St George’s, Sandwich (Greg Norman’s 1993 Open win there during tenure).

1995 to 2008 Worked at Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas for 13 years, having been approached by New York Search Company for Director of Golf position.
Worked closely with the Bahamian Golf Federation to further golf especially to the BGF Junior programme. In charge of all golf aspects including retail, golf cart operation, caddy programme, golf services, tuition and tournament schedules , corporate golf business and course agronomy. Oversaw direct staff of 56.

2004-05 Designed and built course in Marrakesh, Morocco www.assoufid.com Scheduled to open November 2010 and the Assoufid Hotel will be managed by the Rocco Forte Collection http://www.roccofortecollection.com/ Due to open 2011.

July 2008- Director of Golf Operations at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort Sicily. Worked with course designer Kyle Phillips over last 15 months before course opened to ensure final course construction was carried out to specification.
Oversaw the 'grow-in' of the 45 holes and extensive practice facilities. Conducted staff search and placement, all pre-opening procedures, wrote Operation Manual etc.
Oversee a staff of 49.


Niall and Fiona Cameron with their sons Alasdair (left) and Robbie (right) at a recent wedding in Scotland.



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Rain in Spain KOs start of Hi5 Pro Tour event

The rain in Spain put paid to the first day's play today in the Hi5 Pro Tour's Villaitana Open, due to start at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course near Alicante and run over the next three days.
The organisers hope to play the first round on Wednesday and take it from there.

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BORROWMAN STRUGGLES BUT FOTHERINGHAM

SOLID START IN NEW SOUTH WALES MEDAL

British boys' championship beaten finalist in 2007, Fraser Fotheringham from Nairn had a solid start with a round of two-over-par 74 at the Newcastle course in the New South Wales Medal 72-hole amateur golf tournament today.
Scott Borrowman (Dollar), after a second-round 79 saw him drop out at the cut stage of last week's Lake Macquarie tournament, is heading for another early exit. He had a disaster-strewn round of 13-over-par 85 at the Newcastle course and is joint 224th overall.
Fotheringham, spending the winter in the Australian sun, working on his golf, is lying joint 67th in a huge field of 239 players who are also competing over the Muree course in first two rounds.
The leading 60 and ties after 36 holes will play the final two rounds at Newcastle.
The top 32 at the end of four rounds will go forward to the New South Wales match-play championship at Royal Sydney Golf Club from February 1 to 3.
Scottish open amateur stroke-play champion Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall) is lying joint 27th overall with a par 72 at Newcastle. Fellow Walker Cup player Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham Park) is tied for 78th place with a 78 at Newcastle.
Leading the field at Newcastle are Australians Blake McGrory and Michael Williams with five-under-par 67s. At the Muree venue, another Australian, Reece Hodson, set the pace with a three-under-par 68.

FIRST-ROUND SCOREBOARD

NEWCASTLE (Par 72)
Players from Australia unless stated
67 Blake McGrory, Michael Williams.
68 Jake Higginbottom, Yeon Jin Jeong.
Selected Newcastle scores:
72 Tommy Fleetwood (England) (jt 27th).
74 Fraser Fotheringham (Scotland) (jt 67th).
78 Matt Haines (England) (jt 78th).
85 Scott Borrowman (Scotland) (jt 224th).
MUREE (Par 71)
68 Reece Hodson.
69 Callan O'Reilly, Chris Akers, Dean Van Kempen, Nicholas Katholos.



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Entry list now open for inaugural City of Inverness 54-hole Open

NEWS RELEASE
Now that 2010 has dawned, the final preparations have been put in place for the three golf courses in Inverness to host the inaugural and unique event, the City of Inverness 54-hole Open for male amateurs.
Inverness, Torvean and Loch Ness, the three courses within the environs of the City of Inverness, are pooling their resources to work together and jointly promote the 54 Hole Open.
Conceived in 2009 it hasn’t taken the organising committee long to put the plans in place, book tee times at the three courses and add the final touches to an event that promises to attract some of the Highland’s, and hopefully Scotland’s, best golfers to Inverness at the end of May.
Competitors will play a round of golf over Inverness GC on Friday 28th May, followed by a round on Loch Ness Golf Course on Saturday 29th May with Torvean hosting the final round and prize giving on Sunday 30th May.
With a top prize of a £500 voucher for the best aggregate scratch score, a £400 voucher for the best aggregate handicap score in each of the two handicap sections, along with individual prize vouchers for the best scores at each course along with many other aggregate and individual prizes all competitors are in with a great chance of walking away with a something from the weekend.
The committee have made entry to the event very attractive by pegging the entry for the event at just £60, just £20 per course per day, which is a big reduction on the standard green fee you would have to pay if you wanted to play these courses as a visitor.
Hamish Spence, President of Torvean Golf Club said:
“The boys on the organising committee have put in a lot of work to bring this all together. Working with fixture lists and course bookings at three different courses could have proved a big headache in finding suitable dates but all three clubs have been very enthusiastic which has made the process so much easier.
"I am very hopeful that this inaugural competition will grab the imagination of golfers in the Highlands and we will see the event growing in the coming years and attracting players from all over Scotland and even beyond.
"On a personal note I am also delighted that there will be lots of prizes for handicap golfers as well as the top players as we want to make sure that this event is for everyone and not just the elite players. That way I might have a chance!!”
Entry forms area now available and can be downloaded from the websites of the three clubs, just log onto http://www.invernessgolfclub.co.uk/, http://www.torveangolfclub.co.uk/ and http://www.golflochness.com/

+Fairways, the home of Loch Ness Golf Club, is a golf and leisure business situated in the south west edge of Inverness. Opened in 1989 it has a host of facilities open to the public 7 days a week including 9 and 18 hole golf courses, lounge bar, restaurant, sports bar, function/conference suite, driving range, golf shop, forest walks and petanque.
+Founded in 1883, Inverness Golf Club is a tree lined parkland course located 1 mile east from the city centre. Visiting golfers are most welcome to play the 6,256 yards par 69 course.

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WESTWOOD AND CLARKE SHINE IN

THE INVITATIONAL AT DUBAI

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ALAN EWENS
Dubai (UAE): It was an ‘old pals act’ of the highest order that became the centrepiece of The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at the Creek Golf & Yacht Club as Lee Westwood, The 2009 Race to Dubai and Dubai World Championship winner, shared the Individual professional prize with his best friend and ISM stablemate Darren Clarke.
European Tour Player of the Year Westwood was back to his brilliant best and Clarke showed signs of returning to the form that won him two World Golf Championships as the Englishman and Irishman both shot course record-breaking rounds of 8-under 63.
Westwood also partnered his good friend, event host Abdullah Al Naboodah, to take first place in the Professional-Amateur team event with a 9-under 62.
Clarke partnered George Horan, Deputy Managing Director of Premier Partners to The Invitational, Dubai Duty Free, to take third place with a 63, losing out on a one-shot countback for second place to professional Richard Green and amateur James Collins, who qualified through a Golden Ticket at the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open earlier this month.
Sam Walker won longest Drive for the professionals, while Farbod Dowlatshahi of Premier Partners Delwood had the Longest Drive for the amateurs (0-14) with Stewart McIntyre taking the 15+ prize. Westwood joked at the excellent prize-giving ceremony at the Park Hyatt Hotel that: “the secret to winning the team event was choosing the right partner – and Abdullah chose me.”
Joint winner Clarke thanked all the pros for supporting Abdullah and the event and commented that the field equalled the best Tour Pro-Ams. Abdullah Al Naboodah thanked the professionals for turning out in force and making The Invitational a day to remember and also thanked the Premier Partners, Partners and Official Suppliers for making it possible to stage the event.
A live auction raised a magnificent Dh750,000 for the two benefiting charities, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs and the Dubai Autism Centre.
At the prize giving ceremony Clarke said he had never played in an invitational event where the fun factor affected everyone from the sponsors to the players to the spectators. Throughout the day the banter and laughter between the players and supporting spectators made this a day to remember.
One young lady who won’t forget the occasion was ten year-old Amelia McKee, who qualified as the leading female player and junior at the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open earlier this month. Amelia was a sensation as she kept pace with her playing partners Jean-Francois Luquin, James Collins and Richard Green. Her team partner, Frenchman Jean-Francois, commented: “She’s an amazing girl and a phenomenal talent.”
The 50 European Tour Professional players, who numbered seven of the top ten in the 2009 Race to Dubai ratings and 22 of the top 50 agreed this was the most enjoyable invitational they had ever played and the joint winners, Westwood and Clarke both said they couldn’t wait for next year’s Invitational.

Caption: Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke lift the trophy at The invitational prize-giving alongside Abdullah Al Naboodah.

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Shona Malcolm and Hamish Grey ... "worked tirelessly behind closed doors."

Unification is the way ahead for Scots golf

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
SAYS MARTIN DEMPSTER
The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association and the Scottish Golf Union used to be next door neighbours at Drumoig before going their separate ways. The SLGA moved to Perth and, more recently, the SGU transferred its base to The Duke's Course outside St Andrews.
It may be completely off the mark to suggest so, but it always seemed, from the outside looking in at least, that these organisations that run the amateur game in Scotland were not exactly on the best of terms.
Even a year ago talk of a possible amalgamation was a prickly matter, a senior SGU official getting his knuckles rapped for simply commenting on the subject and, believe me, he wasn't even close to saying anything controversial.
Twelve months on, though, it's a case of full steam ahead as far as that amalgamation is concerned and much of the credit for the progress being made should go to Shona Malcolm, the SLGA chairman, and her SGU counterpart, Douglas Connon.
Behind closed doors, they've worked tirelessly to get things moving in their respective associations and, while there's still work to be done, they are definitely getting closer to the day when Scottish amateur golf will be run by one unified body.
Scotland will be falling in line with most of its continental cousins and, closer to home, Wales, where a unified body is now entering its third year of existence. By all accounts, it's an arrangement that works perfectly well and, more to the point, it's something that needs to happen in Scotland at a time when a Single Equality Bill is going to shake things up in golf clubs.
The government intends to extend current discrimination laws to private members' clubs so as to end the treatment of women as "second-class members."
The consultation paper for this Bill specifically mentions the practice of restricting the times when female members have access to golf club facilities.
According to Hamish Grey, the SGU's Chief Executive, the majority of golf clubs in Scotland are already operating equally on a day-to-day basis while the others are working their way towards it.
Unfortunately, nothing is being done to outlaw those pre-historic, male-only and female-only clubs but, for the time being, we should applaud some progress being made and, for the women golfers out there, that's going to mean them having to dig deeper into their pockets, if they're not doing that already, to enjoy their equality at the golf club.
While Shona Malcolm, whose day job is as the LGU's chief executive and, therefore, has her finger on the pulse, believes this will result in some women golfers being lost to the game – it was noted at a seminar before Sunday's SGU annual meeting that female golfers at certain clubs have voted against becoming full members – she thinks the drop-off will be minimal and, what's more, is confident it can be offset by the joint-efforts of the SLGA and SGU in trying to encourage new participants into the sport.
Donald Turner, a man with a strong business and golf background, has been appointed as independent chair to lead a new working group and will oversee the consideration of all measures necessary to achieve the amalgamation which, according to those at the sharp end, is being welcomed at clubs throughout Scotland.
"It seems as though there is a will out there to make this happen," noted Malcolm, while Connon, who sat on the committee that oversaw the amalgamation of the Gordon Highlanders and the Queen's Own Highlanders in 1994, added:
"This amalgamation is a natural progression – it is the right thing for Scottish golf."
In Connon, the SGU currently has a strong individual at its helm and his 'team' for 2010 includes some new faces following the appointment of George Macgregor, Michael Clark and Maurice Shields as directors. Macgregor needs no introduction and the former Walker Cup player and captain is a first-class choice to take over from Robert Burns as the Director of Championships.
As for the SGU's new president Bert Leslie, he's done a pretty good job over the years in backing up Bernard Gallacher, Eric Brown and Stephen Gallacher in putting their beloved Bathgate Golf Club on the map and we wish him well in his year in office.
Any comments? You can E-mail your view to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

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Alan Tait hits out at Tartan Tour 'whistleblower'

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Alan Tait, the director of golf at Marriott Dalmahoy, has strongly criticised the Tartan Tour 'whistleblower' and is heartbroken after seeing his dream of rising to the top of the PGA pile shattered by a punishment that has sent shockwaves through Scottish golf.
Tait, the first-ever player to shoot 64 at Carnoustie and still the joint course record-holder there, has broken his silence on the bans handed out to two of the Tartan Tour's top players, David Orr and Mark Kerr, as well as the fines imposed on himself and Stewart Russell, the professional at East Renfrewshire, for their part in those individuals failing to comply with PGA training rules.
In addition to his £1,500 fine, Tait, a former Tartan Tour No 1 who had a season on the European Tour as well, has also been advised to resign from the PGA Scottish Region Committee, ending his long-held ambition to become that association's figurehead one day.
Insisting that the sort of thing Orr, the current Scottish champion, and Kerr have been punished for had been going on for years without action being taken, Tait said he is angry that this has come about as a result of an official complaint from a fellow Tartan Tour player.
"What really saddens me is that a fellow professional in Scotland took it upon himself to write to the PGA flagging this situation up," he said. "I find it almost disgusting that any sportsperson would want to inflict damage on a fellow athlete.
"Stewart Russell and I have both been hurt financially but, for me, the hurt runs much deeper. My unblemished record as a professional for 19 years has been tarnished. And for what? For trying to help a young professional by giving him an attachment, a job and putting him through his PGA training.
"I am baffled by the whistleblower as he has been around Scottish golf for a very long time and knows how far back this goes. His actions have not only devastated Stewart and I personally and financially but has taken away the livelihood of two of Scotland's most promising prospects for the next few months.
"He obviously had his own agenda why he did this, but I won't be wasting my time calling him to wish him a Happy New Year and find out exactly what that agenda was. I hope he can sleep at night."
Orr and Kerr, one of the emerging talents on the Scottish circuit, have been banned until 1 July after a three-man PGA disciplinary panel found they hadn't been complying with the training programme rules by not working enough hours in a golf shop.
For his part, Tait insists he didn't think he'd done anything wrong by trying to help Kerr, who was a full paying member at Marriott Dalmahoy before thinking he'd got an attachment there, only for that to fall through when a member of staff didn't leave.
"I feel very sad that it has come to this," he added. "I tried to help Mark Kerr out by giving him an attachment for a couple of months until he had full-time employment with us or, indeed, someone else. Never in a million years did I or Mark know what we were doing was so wrong and that the penalties were so severe.
"The thing I find staggering is all the pros in Scotland know that assistants have been playing full time on the Tartan Tour for years. I did my assistant pro apprenticeship with Ken Stevely at Cawder from 1990-1994. I worked six days a week, 11 hours a day for £100.
"In that same period, six of my friends, also doing their apprenticeship, were playing the Tartan Tour full time and earning between £15,000 and £25,000. I constantly moaned to Ken that this wasn't fair, but he quite rightly told me, 'I was doing the right thing and these boys would be found out soon enough'.
"They didn't get found out and, since then, literally hundreds of assistant pros all over the country have done this until now. My question, therefore, is: 'Why now and why us?'
"What the PGA have done is sent a shockwave to all the assistant pros and their bosses throughout the regions, but don't be surprised if and when it happens again."
Tait, who had spells at Westerwood, The Carrick on Loch Lomond and Spey Valley before arriving at Marriott Dalmahoy last year, has had sleepless nights since the punishment was handed out to him and is deeply upset that his reputation has been "shot to pieces."
The 40-year-old added: "I have been a staunch PGA man throughout my career and have always been very proud to be associated with the organisation but now, unfortunately, my own pride will have to tell me what my contribution will be in future years.
"After being part of the committee for the past three years, I would have inevitably became PGA Scottish captain in the next few years but, as I have now had to offer my resignation, it breaks my heart that I will never have this bestowed upon me. For me, it would have been the icing on the cake in my professional career."
Former Italian Open champion Dean Robertson and one-time Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart are among the many professionals supporting Tait, the latter having experienced problems with the PGA himself when he started out on his professional career.
"Andrew got so frustrated at not being given the opportunity to be allowed to play (by the PGA Scottish Region] that he disappeared off to Sweden for two years and teed it up in events most weeks," recalled Tait.
"Thankfully, Andrew has never looked back and that spell in Sweden was possibly the best thing that ever happened to him. However, surely we don't want our own to pack up and follow."

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SGU, SLGA AIM TO AMALGAMATE BY END OF NEXT YEAR

Read the News Release by the SGU on our sister website, http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/

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Bert Leslie becomes President for 2010

George Macgregor, Michael Clark and Maurice Shields

new directors on the Scottish Golf Union Board

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
The Scottish Golf Union Limited has announced the arrival of three new Directors onto their Board at their AGM on Sunday 24 January, whilst Bathgate Golf Club’s Bert Leslie has been appointed as President for 2010.
Leslie, a former Scotland and Walker Cup selector, has been a key figure within the Lothians Golf Association for the past two decades having served as President and representative on the SGU Council.
The 66-year-old takes over from Ian Ross to become the Scottish Golf Union’s 48th President, whilst Hazlehead’s Gordon Murray becomes Vice President.
George Macgregor, the former Walker Cup player and captain, succeeds the retiring Robert Burns as Director of Championships, whilst Michael Clark has been appointed Director of Business and Marketing activity, with Douglas Corner also stepping down after six years. The third new face on the Board for 2010 is Maurice Shields from Dumbartonshire Golf Union, who takes on the role of Junior Vice President.
New President Bert Leslie said:
“It’s a fantastic honour to be elected President of the Scottish Golf Union at the start of an exciting new decade. The last twelve months have been challenging for many clubs across the country but the SGU Board has committed additional resource to supporting our member clubs during these difficult times.
“Scotland’s leading amateurs have achieved great things over the last two years and I’m very proud to be President of a country boasting the World and European Amateur team titles. I’m sure that success will continue as a result of the work our Academies and coaches are doing,” he added.
Macgregor is a well known and popular face on the Scottish golf scene having been one of the country’s most successful amateurs. He captained the GB&I Walker Cup side in 1997 having played in the event five times, whilst representing Scotland over an 18-year period between 1969 and 1987.
He was Company Secretary at Dalmore Mills until 2004, nearby his home club of Glencorse on the outskirts of Penicuik.
Clark is a much respected businessman in the North-east, having been Managing Director then Chairman of International Fish Canners since 1992. He is also Vice Chairman of the Grampian Food Group and a Director of Scottish Enterprise Grampian.
A 3-handicap golfer, Clark is a past captain of Royal Aberdeen and is also a member of Nairn, Cruden Bay and the Isle of Harris Golf Clubs.
New Junior Vice-President Maurice Shields is a recently retired PE teacher, having worked at a number of schools in the Glasgow area also in the role of acting Principal and Assistant Head Teacher.
A member of Windyhill Golf Club, he has been an executive member of the Dumbaronshire Golf Union since 1993, operating in many roles and has served as Scotland team manager at Boys’ and Men’s level.
Douglas Connon, speaking at beginning of his second year of office as Chairman of the SGU, welcomed the new appointments:
“We are delighted to welcome George, Michael and Maurice onto the Board. They each bring invaluable experience in their respective areas and their input will be vital as we grow the game, develop talent and support our clubs in these challenging but exciting times.
“I’d also like to congratulate Bert Leslie on his appointment as President and take this opportunity to thank Douglas Corner, Robert Burns and Ian Ross for their contributions to Scottish golf.”

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