Thursday, February 04, 2010

Renault EPD Tour
MONTGOMERIE CLASSIC
Papillon Hotels Resort & Spa, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
70 Thomas De Kessel (Belgium), Nicolas Meitinger (Germany).
73 Maximillian Tschinkel (Germany)), Bjorn Petterson (Sweden).
74 Grant Jackson (England), Benjamin Miara (Germany), Vincent Simon (France), Reinier Saxton (Netherlands).
75 Jochen Lupprian (Germany), Richared Eccles (Netherlands), Brian McElhinney (Ireland), Michael Lowe (England), Juan Peters (Germany), Johan Eerdmans (Netherlands), Benjamin Ludwig (Germany), Lee Corfield (Eng).
Selected scores:
77 Stephen Grant (Ireland), Tim Rice (Ireland) (jt 20th).
79 Matthew Dearden (Wales), Jay Taylor (England) (jt 34th).
80 Simon Boyd (England), Ben Welch (England) (jt 43rd).
81 Cian McNamara (Ireland) (jt 51st).
83 Oliver Lindup (England) 68th.
Field of 86 players.

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Hi5 Pro Tour in Spain

England 1-2 with Lloyd Saltman joint third

The Spanish Hi5 Pro Tour's Valle del Este Open this week provided an England 1-2 with Lloyd Saltman tieing for third place with Spain's Miguel Angel Martin.
Alex Bett shot rounds of 67, 66 and 70 over the par-71 course for a 10-under-par total of 203.
He won 2,000 Euros and a Thomas Sabo watch by finishing five shots ahead of another Englishman, Matthew Cryer, who scored 67, 68 and 73.
Former Walker Cup player and Open leading amateur, Saltman, who finished with a four-under-par total of 209, will be cursing his second-round 77 which was the not so tasty "meat" in the sandwich of a first round of seven-under 64 and a third and last round of three-under-par 68.
Even a par-matching round of 71 on the second day would have seen him tie with winner Bett on 203.
Elliot Saltman shared fifth place on three-under-par 210 with scores of 70, 71 and 69.
Zack, the youngest of the three Saltman brothers finished on 27-over-par 240 with scores of 87, 75 and 78. That put him in a tie for 33rd place.
The ladies' pro event was won by Rhian Wyn Thomas, who, as a Vale of Glamorgan player, was a member of the Wales team who made a successful defence of the Women's Home Internationals crown at Irvine Golf Club, Ayrshire last September.
Rhian is now a rookie pro and she had three impressive scores of 73, 71 and 74 for a five-over-par total of 218, winning by eight shots from Norway's Caroline Martens (75-80-71) with Switzerland's Sabina Imboden last of three on 253 with scores of 84, 84 and 85.
FINAL TOTALS
MEN (par 213: 3x71)
203 Alex Bett (England) 67 66 70.
208 Matthew Cryer (England) 67 68 73.
209 Lloyd Saltman (Scotland) 64 77 68, Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) 71 69 69.
210 Elliot Saltman (Scotland) 70 71 69, Roberto Lantsoght (Spain) 70 66 74.
212 Stain Hanson (Norway) 73 73 68, Manuel Quiros (Spain) 67 75 70.
213 Christian Aronsen (Norway) 70 71 72.
214 Jose Manuel Garzon (Spain) 73 70 71.
215 James Busby (England) 74 70 71, Simon Fernoux (France) 73 68 74.
218 Pecout Thomas (France) 81 68 69, Matthew Evans (England) 71 73 74.
219 Kevin Harper (England) 75 71 73.
220 Ropbert Svensson (Sweden) 70 74 76.
221 Gary Kiong (England) 73 76 72.
222 Edouard Penin (France) 81 70 71, Sam Haywood (England) 73 71 78.
223 Brad Clapp (Canada) 75 75 73, James Housby (England) 77 69 77.
224 Rob Harris (England) 75 73 76.
Selected scores:
228 Stephen Shields (England) 77 76 75, John Green (England) 79 75 74, Richard Cartner (England (amateur) 74 75 79.
232 Jonathan Smart (England) 79 74 79 (jt 29th).
240 Zack Saltman (Scotland) 87 75 78 (jt 33rd).
243 Edward Barry-Walsh (England) 83 83 79.
245 Trevor Wissen (England) 83 78 84.
WOMEN (Par 213: 3x71)
218 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Wales) 73 71 74.
226 Caroline Martens (Norway) 75 80 71.
253 Sabina Imboden (Switzerland) 84 84 85.

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Omega Dubai Desert Classic report and scores

Rory McIlroy shares lead with five others on 68

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Defending champion Rory McIlroy shared a six-way tie for the lead after the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic today.
It was a testing first day at the Emirates Golf Club but McIlroy started the defence of his only pro career title with a promising four-under 68 to finish the day alongside Alexander Noren, Charl Schwartzel, Jeev Milkha Singh, Edoardo Molinari and Stephen Dodd.
With reduced visibility caused by sand whipping across the Majlis course and thick, unforgiving rough to contend with, Schwartzel's bogey-free effort was the pick of the day.
====================================
Links to more golf news:
Monty in no rush to name vice-captains
Pavin: Four is the magic number
Loophole must be fixed - Mickelson
Knutzon keeps illness at bay to share lead
=====================================
McIlroy opened with a stunning 64 last year - a round he rated as "the easiest 64 I'll ever shoot" - although Thursday's effort was much more of a patient grind.
"It was very important to start my defence with a good score, I would have taken anything under 70 looking at the scoring and conditions," said world No 9 McIlroy.
"So to shoot 68 was very pleasing. When defending it's nice to get off to a nice start, but there's still a lot of golf to play."
With only 31 of the 132-man field under par, Anders Hansen, former champion Richard Green, a fatigued Paul Casey, Alvaro Quiros and Italian amateur Matteo Manassero headed the chasing pack at three under.
Qatar Masters champion Robert Karlsson heads a group of seven two shots off the pace alongside Ross Fisher, with Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and Abu Dhabi winner Martin Kaymer in the final contingent under par.
European number one Lee Westwood posted a level-par 72, with Open Championship runner-up Tom Watson a further shot back after an "up-and-down" 73 from the 60-year-old American.

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72. 7,301 yards
68 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Rory McIlroy, Stephen Dodd, Alexander Noren (Swe), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
69 Anders Hansen (Den), Richard Green (Aus), Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am), Paul Casey, Alvaro Quiros (Spa)
70 Robert Karlsson (Swe), Robert Rock, Christian Nilsson (Swe), Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Marcus Fraser (Aus), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)
71 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Richie Ramsay, Colin Montgomerie, Soren Hansen (Den), Marcel Siem (Ger), David Horsey, Martin Kaymer (Ger), Simon Dyson, Peter Hedblom (Swe), Darren Clarke, Felipe Aguilar (Chi), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Pablo Martin (Spa)
72 Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Chris Wood, Graeme McDowell, Oliver Wilson, Nick Dougherty, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), David Lynn, Ross Bain, Johan Edfors (Swe), Graeme Storm, Paul Broadhurst, David Drysdale, Bradley Dredge, Lee Westwood
73 Damien McGrane, Gary Orr, Erik Compton (USA), Gareth Maybin, Tom Watson (USA), Maarten Lafeber (Ned), John Bickerton, Anthony Wall, Peter Hanson (Swe), Brett Rumford (Aus), Stephen Gallacher, Paul Lawrie, Ariel Canete (Arg), Tano Goya (Arg), Thomas Levet (Fra)
74 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned), Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Todd Hamilton (USA), Kenneth Ferrie, Danny Lee (Nzl), Prayad Marksaeng (Tha), Michael Jonzon (Swe), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa), Wayne Westner (Rsa), Richard Bland, Shiv Kapur (Ind), Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Paul Waring, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Seve Benson, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Daniel Vancsik (Arg), Ignacio Garrido (Spa), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Mark Foster, Barry Lane
75 Christian Cevaer (Fra), Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Martin Erlandsson (Swe), James Kingston (Rsa), Joost Luiten (Ned), Phillip Price, Rafael Echenique (Arg), Oliver Fisher, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Shane Lowry, Ross McGowan, Gregory Havret (Fra), Michael Hoey, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind)
76 Hennie Otto (Rsa), Steve Webster, David Howell, Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Pablo Larrazabal (Spa), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Oskar Henningsson (Swe), Sam Little, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Henrik Stenson (Swe)
77 Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Scott Strange (Aus), Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind), Peter Lawrie, Anthony Kang (USA), Scott Hend (Aus), Marc Warren, Mark O'Meara (USA), Arjun Atwal (Ind), Shaun Micheel (USA), Alastair Forsyth, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par)
78 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Mark Brown (Nzl), Anirban Lahiri (Ind)
79 Danny Willett
80 Gary Lockerbie, Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Richard Finch, David Dixon, Jamie Donaldson, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra)
81 Michael Campbell (Nzl), Miki Mirza (UAE)
82 Stephen Deane

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Paul Lawrie signs sponsorship deal with Cloud9 personal aviation

NEWS RELEASE
Paul Lawrie has signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement with Cloud9, the international personal aviation company.
Lawrie, from Aberdeen, has not only achieved success on golf’s European Tour with four tournament wins, but has also managed one of golf’s greatest ever achievements by winning the Open championship in 1999.
Cloud9, based in New York and Edinburgh, have also developed into an established player in its own field of private aviation, where it prides itself on an elite level of service to an elite group of private and corporate clients. Through its global network, Cloud9 is perfectly placed to provide flights and servicing to its clients worldwide.
CEO Andrew Mason commented: “We are delighted to form a relationship with Paul Lawrie, who is one of Scotland’s greatest achievers in the game of golf. To have Paul promoting and supporting Cloud9 when he plays events all over the World is a fantastic marketing tool for us. The demographic of golf and golf professionals is a perfect target audience for the elite air travel service that we offer.”
On signing the agreement, Lawrie was similarly pleased to be partnering with a company dedicated to providing a first class personal service to its clients. He stated: “I’m really excited to be starting a relationship with Cloud9 and I look forward to using their fleet of aircraft to travel back from a number of tournaments this year. We’ve been very impressed by their dedicated team and the service that they provide.”
The agreement will see Lawrie wearing the Cloud9 corporate logo on his clothing in the coming year.

About Cloud9:
Cloud9 International is one of the leading aviation companies operating globally and offering a range of services including jets, helicopters, limousines, concierge and close protection. Its client base is drawn from music and entertainment, celebrity, sports, private wealth and corporate. For more information on the incredible range of membership benefits, go to
www.cloud9-jets.com

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Schwartzel named European Tour Golfer of Month for January

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel has been named as The European Tour Golfer of the Month for January after beginning 2010 in spectacular fashion by recording back-to-back victories in his homeland.
Schwartzel, who receives a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne and an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievements, leapt to the top of The Race to Dubai Rankings by capturing the Africa Open in the second week of January and followed by that with success in the Joburg Open seven days later.
The 25 year old finished one shot ahead of fellow countryman Thomas Aitken in the Africa Open with a 20 under par total of 272 at East London Golf Club, then returned to his home town of Johannesburg to claim the Joburg Open with a 23 under par score of 261 on this occasion.
With a combined total of 43 under par for those two events, Schwartzel became the fourth South African golfer to win consecutive European Tour tournaments following in the footsteps of Ernie Els, Dale Hayes and Richard Sterne.
Schwartzel, who saw off stiff competition from Germany’s Martin Kaymer, winner of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and Robert Karlsson, champion last week in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, said: “Obviously, being named as The European Tour’s Player of the Month is a nice achievement to have. I am very pleased with the award, since you can never have enough trophies!”
Following an opening round of 68 to share the early lead in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club today, Schwartzel added: “I couldn’t have asked for a much better start to 2010. At the end of last year I felt like I was starting to play really well but it just wasn’t happening for me. Then I came out after Christmas and all of a sudden things started happening.”

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European Tour Scoreboard
OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
EARLY FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72. 7,301yd
68 Stephen Dodd (Wales), Alexander Noren (Sweden), Charl Schwartzel (South Africa), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland).
69 Anders Hansen (Denmark), Paul Casey (England), Alvaro Quiros (Spain).
SCOTS' SCORES:
71 Colin Montgomerie, Richie Ramsay.
72 David Drysdale.
73 Gary Orr, Paul Lawrie.
77 Alistair Forsyth

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Three share lead on 68 in Asian Tour International

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Thailand’s rising star Kiradech Aphibarnrat battled to a four-under-par 68 to share the first round lead with American Jason Knutzon and Brazilian newcomer Lucas Lee at the season-opening Asian Tour International on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Kiradech, a former world junior champion, rolled in five birdies at the Suwan Golf and Country Club, Bangkok to join Knutzon, who played despite being ill, and Lee atop the leaderboard at the US$300,000 event.
Filipino Mars Pucay shot the season’s first hole in one en route to a 69 to trail in tied fourth place with Singaporean duo Quincy Quek and Lam Chih Bing, Sweden’s Richard Karlberg, Korea’s Kim Dae-hyun, Australian Rohan Blizard, Thailand’s 14-year-old amateur Atiwit Janewattananond and Hideto Tanihara, an eight-time winner in Japan.
Entering the week, the burly Kiradech declared his intention of breaking through for a first title in Asia and a round helped greatly by his big-hitting game pushed him to the forefront.
“I’m very happy. I hit many wedges into the greens and got four birdies from close range. This is my chance to win. I’ll try to keep it up as it’s my goal to win on the Asian Tour,” said Kiradech, who finished 30th on the Order of Merit in his rookie season last year.
“I drove the ball well and my putting was really good. It’s a tough course. The pins were tucked and the greens are really firm and fast. I had to stay patient out there. It’s a very good first round,” added the Thai, who dropped a lone bogey on the 18th hole, his ninth of the day.
Knutzon rose from his sick bed to set the morning pace. The two-time Asian Tour winner has been down with fever for the past two days but he lived up to the adage ‘Beware the sick golfer’ by firing five birdies against a lone bogey.
“It’s pretty amazing when you have something else to think about,” said a weary Knutzon. “Luckily it was pretty cool this morning which helped but I was kind of gassing it in the last few holes. Anytime you shoot under par, it should make you feel a bit better.”
Lee, who is of Korean origin, made the most of his Asian Tour debut by tying for the lead late in the day, thanks to a birdie at his last hole. “I hit a lot of greens and made the putts I needed to make today. I wasn’t hitting a lot of fairways,” said the 22-year-old, who graduated from Qualifying School last month.
It was truly an exhilarating start to the new season, thanks to Pucay’s magical ace at the third hole which came on the back of an eagle as he recovered from an outward 38 to end the day just one off the pace.
“I turned in two over and hit a great five wood to three feet for eagle on the par five second hole. Then I stepped onto the next tee and made a hole in one,” said Pucay. “This ace is my gift for my wife (Leslie) as it’s our 15th wedding anniversary today.”
After 15 years on Tour, Pucay is desperate for a first title. “Hopefully this year, it’ll be time for me to win. I’m going to play more aggressively, especially with my putting. I’ll charge a bit more when I’m in position to win,” he said.
The highly-rated Quek, who earned his card from Qualifying School , was delighted to start strongly where he finished his round in style with a 20-foot birdie conversion. “My putting helped. I drained quite a few longs ones. I was hitting it alright and kept it in play. When I had opportunities, I made them which was nice,” said the 22-year-old.
Defending champion James Kamte of South Africa , whose clubs arrived on Wednesday night, was four under through 10 holes but stumbled home with five bogeys to settle for a 73.
Leading first round scores
Par 72
68 Jason Knutzon ( USA ), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Lucas Lee (BRA)
69 Rohan Blizard (AUS), Quincy Quek (SIN), Hideto Tanihara (JPN), Kim Dae-hyun (KOR), Atiwit Janewattananond [A] (THA), Richard Karlberg (SWE), Lam Chih Bing (SIN), Mars Pucay (PHI)
70 Tatsuhiko Ichihara (JPN), Kunal Bhasin (AUS), Ben Fox (USA), Ben Leong (MAS), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Han Seung-su (KOR), Frankie Minoza (PHI), Siddikur (BAN), Oscar Fraustro (MEX), Piya Swangarunporn (THA), Kim Hyung-tae (KOR)

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Left to right at Millbrook: Sir Bob Charles, Jim Hardie, Michael Hill and Geoff Saunders. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Sir Bob and Lady Verity make Jim Hardie's latest trip to New Zealand

- where it's a boiling hot summer - one to cherish forever

North-east businessman and golfer Jim Hardie reports on his
annual winter trip to New Zealand.
Greetings from, at long last, a boiling hot New Zealand !
I say at long last as the first five weeks were a bit like a bad Scottish summer, and to quote Sir Bob Charles, he saw more rain in New Zealand in the first two weeks in January than he saw in his entire Scottish Wish list Tour last year.
To start from the beginning, way back early December, I had my first game with the great man at Pegasus Golf Club just outside Christchurch, and on a day more like a winter alliance day at Inverallochy, I'm glad to report that Geoff Saunders and I had a 4 and 3 victory over Sir Bob and Simon Robinson, with yours truly having the distinction of birdieng the 15th to finish the game.
Sir Bob at this point said, "Geez, you fly thirteen thousand miles to beat me up in my own back yard!"
Geoff Saunders still plays off 2 and is a former Canterbury team player, as was Simon Robinson who plays off 5.
I felt great as not too many people can claim a victory over Sir Bob!
Pegasus is the venue for the forthcoming New Zealand Ladies Open, and a wondeful new course.
I had the pleasure later that night of dining with Sir Bob and Lady Verity at their house overlooking the 17th fairway at Clearwater, another fabulous course in Christchurch.
The golf stories were simply amazing, could have listened for ever, but as much as that evening was special, a few days later they invited me to their farm at Oxford, which, not surprisingly, is named Lytham, and is approximately 800 acres.
We spent some time going round the property, saw his herd of deer,and then the process of how they produce Deer Velvet, which acts as an anti-inflamatory!
Sir Bob showed me a lot of memorabillia from years gone by. What a collection he has, far too numerous to even mention, but he has a complete book showing his Open championship victory in verse and pictures, news reports etc of other events he won what at the time, including the Piccadilly World match-play at Wentworth. Simply awesome reading!
During this visit we had been discussing various courses all round the Central Otago area, which is about 350k south of Christchurch, and as I metioned several of my favourites, discovered that Sir Bob had never played a couple, so he suggested a "mini tour" of Central Otago.
First point of call was Wanaka Golf Club, and Sir Bob partnered Bob Mcrae, a well-known farmer in that area, and I played with my cousin Bill Grigor who, like myself, originates from Ballater.
A wonderful sunny day, game was very well balanced until Bob Mcrae decided to hole a 30 footer on the 17th to close the game 2 and 1 to them !
Following day we were off to Cromwell Golf Club, one of my all time New Zealand favourites, and this time I've got the President of Shirley Golf Cub in Christchurch, Ken Fergus, a five- handicapper as my partner, against Sir Bob and John Roache, a very good senior golfer from Alexandra, just along the road from Cromwell, and a four-handicapper.
Ken and I combined really well and despite Sir Bob being three under after 13, Ken and I were two up!
Sir Bob did sort of mention at this time, "Doesn't twp up with five to play never win?"
I said "Well, today looks like it will buck the trend."
WRONG, Sir Bob throws in a couple of birdies to stand all square on the 18th, a wonderful 200 metre par 3, and then John decides to hole a 25-footer for a birdie 2, and, oh dear, another defeat by one hole !
After a great lunch Sir Bob and I visited a few wineries in the Bannockburn area of Central Otago, then back to his house at the Millbrook Resort, which is where Peter Smith (former Northern Open champion from the North-east) was at one time was the Director of Golf.
Next venue was the Hills Course, where the NZ Open has just been played, and this was mind blowing. I can't describe it as anything else.
We played with the owner, Michael Hill, and I can honestly say I was in hysterics all the way round. What acharacter this man is and his devotion to golf is absolute.
This game was unfortunately cut short by rain, but what a course, simply incredible.
On we went and Sir Bob arranged our next game to be at Millbrook, where Greg Turner has recently redesigned a new nine holes. I have to say its the best new nine holes I personally have ever seen!
Sir Bob played with Michael Hill, and Geoff Saunders and myself were the opposition .
I honestly think we were "set up" as Michael, who normally plays off 13, decided with his own unique handicapping system, that as he was not playing well and he had not played the "new nine" at Millbrook, "I'll just play off 18 today just to assist Sir Bob!"
Michael then has nine pars, so Geoff and I were "beaten" 2 and 1. I refrain from making any other "comment," suffice to say Michael did sort of see the funny side !
Having returned to the clubhouse, we then meet Mr and Mrs Peter Alliss who had just arrived three hours earlier as Peter was commentating for the NZ Open later that week.
Next port of call was another new course called Jacks Point, just outside Queenstown, where I have Sir Bob as a partner, this time against Geoff Saunders and a four-handicapper from England named Kevin Sutherland, who I believe is involved in Corporate Finance within the ANZ Banking Group in Australasia.
The scenery i could not even begin to describe. Breathtaking does not do this course justice. I can honestly say I have never seen views from a golf course like this, ever!
Great game ended all square after Sir Bob and I trailed most of the way, but a couple of late birdies, one each, saved our bacon, and we were all happy with a drawn match.
The NZ Open at the Hills was simply awesome, and I had lunch one day with Sir Bob and the great Peter Thomson. Yes, I've got the autograph to prove it!
Peter talked about his love of Brora, and, of course, Sir Bob had played it last year. Peter did laugh when I told him I'd sort of "set up" Sir Bob when he played there as I arranged for him to play with Jim Miller. Sir Bob said that guy can play some!
Returning to Christchurch, I am playing at Shirley Links, where I had the pleasure of lunch again with Peter Thomson, as he was visiting to see how the course changes were coming along.
Returning to Pegasus, Sir Bob had Aliatair Kidd as a partner against myself anf the Director of Golf at Pegasus, Brett James, an ex tour pro, who played in Australia.
This was probably yours truly's best display so far, and Brett and I went into a three-hole lead over Sir Bob and Alistair, when,on the 15th tee, Brett says "Sorry guys, I've got to attend a PGA meeting, so I'll have to leave."
And he says to me "Your playing well, I'm sure you can bring home a victory for us."
Well, Sir Bob starts the birdie stuff and I'm only one up playing the last but managed to halve the hole in par, so hang on I did, albiet just!
Alistair Kidd used to be a touring European pro way back, and was attached to Turnberry and Troon, before moving to New Zealand and was pro at the Otago Golf Club (Balmacewen) in Dunedin for a while.
You will see that I have been fortunate with a couple of victories over Sir Bob, but golf apart, i can't speak highly enough of this man. He has gone out of his way to reciprocate my small involvment in last year's wish list tour os Scotland.
The kindness of Sir Bob and Lady Verity I will cherish forever.
New Zealand should be justifiably proud of this gentleman. He is in a class of his own, and I recall Gordon Brand junior saying the same thing last year after playing with Sir Bob in a Seniors event.
Anyway that's an update. I still have another two weeks of sun to survive, and I have at least another two games arranged with Sir Bob, so onwards and upwards.
In closing, I'd like to say to all your readers, anyone thinking of visiting New Zealand, don't hesitate. A long way from Scotland it most certainly is, but once you get here, you are in one of the most beautiful unspoiled areas of the world.
Jim Hardie

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James White takes time out from Stirling

University to make bid for Scotland place

FROM THE SCOTSMAN NEWSPAPER
By Martin Dempster
James White, the 2006 Scottish boys' champion, is sitting out a semester at Stirling University in a bid to make a serious challenge for a place in the Scotland teams that will defend the world and European titles later this year.
The 21-year-old Fifer, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, who is in his honours year of a business studies degree, has made the decision so that he can play in the early-season events he's normally been forced to miss.
White, a member at Lundin, is one of four Scots teeing off tomorrow in the Jones Cup at Sea Island in Georgia and he'll also be playing in the forthcoming Portuguese and Spanish amateur championships.
When the domestic season gets underway in the spring, White will be hoping to make his presence felt in events like the Irish and Welsh open stroke-play championships and the Brabazon Trophy.
"I've not been able to play in events like the Irish, Welsh and Brabazon because they usually clash with exams in the first three weeks of May," he said. "I'm in my fourth year at Stirling so it's honours year, but I will finish at the end of 2010, due to taking the semester out."
Ross Kellett, Steven McEwan and Philip McLean are the other Scots in the Jones Cup field, the quartet having spent last week preparing for the event in Florida, where they were joined at the IMG Academy at Bradenton by Callum Macaulay and Gavin Dear, two of Scotland's Eisenhower Trophy-winning team two years ago but both now professionals.
"To have the use of such a world-class facility was awesome," said Kellett, who ended his 2009 campaign on a high by reaching the final of the Argentine amateur championship.
"Now we are hoping the practice pays off for the Jones Cup and the season ahead. It's a big season with Scotland defending the European team championship in Sweden and also the world amateur team championship in Argentina in October."
+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

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